Tag Archives: Mixed Martial Arts

“Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” lineup complete with 14 fights, including the addition of hard-hitting veterans Justin Lawrence, Adam Cella

May 11, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 11, 2015) – June’s blockbuster “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” event now has a complete lineup of 14 action-packed contests with the addition of Spike.com-streamed matchups of featherweights Justin “The American Kid” Lawrence (7-2) vs. Sean “P-Town” Wilson (34-25), lightweights Eric Irvin (9-3) vs. Hugh Pulley (4-2) and bantamweights A.J. “Let’s Go” Siscoe (0-1) vs. Garrett Mueller (1-0), as well as a pair of dark preliminary contests with welterweights Adam “El Natural” Cella (6-3) vs. Kyle Kurtz (3-0) and lightweights Garrett Gross (6-3) vs. Chris “Stump” Heatherly (8-3),

Featuring one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the sport with Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock, “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” takes place Friday, June 19, at St. Louis’ Scottrade Center and airs live on Spike.

Tickets for “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business,” which start at just $30, are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com

The night’s first contest takes place at 6 p.m. CT local time, while the Spike-televised main card starts two hours later.

Lawrence, of Pacific, Mo., is a former national boxing and kickboxing champion and RFA featherweight champion who now makes his Bellator MMA debut on the strength of a three-fight winning streak. He faces Wilson, of Omaha, who has incredibly fought to a judges’ decision just once in 59 career contests.

Irvin, of Pilot Knob, Mo., boasts a four-fight winning streak and is 6-1 in his past seven appearances. He now fights for Bellator MMA for the first time and meets fellow Missouri native Pulley, who hopes to snap a two-fight losing streak.

Cella is a five-time Shamrock FC veteran and “TUF” former cast member who now faces the undefeated Kurtz – a Missouri fighter who already boasts three career victories despite just turning pro in January.

In a battle of Illinois-based fighters, Gross has won four of his past five outings and has gone to a judges’ decision just once in nine professional appearances. His opponent, Heatherly, is a big show veteran who hopes to snap a disappointing two-fight losing streak, the first consecutive losses of his career.

Siscoe and Mueller each make their Bellator MMA debuts.

“Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” – Friday, June 19, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Mo.

Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Kimbo Slice (4-2) vs. Ken Shamrock (28-15-2)

Bellator Featherweight Title Fight: Champ Patricio Pitbull (23-2) vs. Daniel Weichel (35-8)

Bellator Featured Heavyweight Fight: Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)

Bellator Featured Featherweight Fight: Daniel Straus (22-6) vs. Henry Corrales (12-0)

Bellator Featured Lightweight Fight: Michael Chandler (12-3) vs. Derek Campos (15-4)

Preliminary Card (7 p.m. ET)

Bellator Strawweight Prelim Fight: Dan O’Connor (5-4) vs. Miles McDonald (0-1)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Justin Lawrence (7-2) vs. Sean Wilson (34-25)

Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Eric Irvin (9-3) vs. Hugh Pulley (4-2)

Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Malcolm Smith (4-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Kain Royer (1-1) vs. Enrique Watson (1-0)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: A.J. Siscoe (0-1) vs. Garrett Mueller (1-0)

Bellator Welterweight Dark Prelim: Adam Cella (6-3) vs. Kyle Kurtz (3-0)

Bellator Welterweight Dark Prelim: Steve Mann (10-1) vs. Justin Guthrie (17-8)

Bellator Lightweight Dark Prelim: Garrett Gross (6-3) vs. Chris Heatherly (8-3)

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

LIGHTWEIGHT BATTLE ADDED TO PRO PORTION OF NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD

May 8, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (May 8, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the fight card. Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (4-4) is scheduled to meet Zenon Herrera (0-0) in what will be Herrera’s professional debut.

Erickson is a mainstay of the NEF promotion. The native of Auburn, Maine made his amateur debut at NEF I in February 2012. All fourteen of his bouts have been hosted in the NEF cage except one which was part of an NEF co-promotion with Bellator.

Currently a coach at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) – a New England United (NEU) affiliate – Erickson challenged unsuccessfully twice last fall for the NEF MMA Lightweight Title, dropping back-to-back losses to Bruce Boyington (10-8). Last month, Erickson returned to the cage against Florida’s Mark DeFord (0-4). The Viking came out aggressive, not letting up with a barrage of lefts, rights and knees. It was a departure from Erickson’s trusted ground game, but it took less than two minutes for him to knock DeFord out cold. If Erickson was looking to make a statement, then that statement was received loud and clear by the raucous crowd of over 2,000.

“After back to back losses, I’ve really focused in on some of my weak points,” said Erickson. “In my last fight, I felt much more confident and relaxed, and I think it showed in my performance. I will continue to get better and show everyone the fighter I’ve always known I could be. I’ll never fight safe, try to eke out a decision, or have a boring fight. Come watch me fight and see something special. The Viking is back and he’s swinging Thor’s hammer now.”

Zenon Herrera, an independent fighter based out of Skowhegan, Maine, began his MMA amateur career in the fall of 2012. Having fought predominantly in Florida previously, he made his NEF debut last month at “NEF XVII” in a losing effort to a very tough Ricky Dexter (3-0). Herrera is a military veteran, having served four years in the United States Army and five years in the United States Marine Corps. He looks forward to making the transition from the amateur to professional ranks and the new challenges it will bring.

“I’m very much looking forward to this chance of taking myself to the next level of MMA,” said Herrera. “Jesse Erickson is a tough dude and that will make this match all the better. I’m also looking forward to representing the NEF, Macho Fighter, Combatives Gear, and the USMC with all of the pride and honor that they deserve with everything I do in MMA from this point forward.”

NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America” will originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine on June 13, 2015. Tickets for “NEF XVIII” start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling the Colisee box office at207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event and fight card updates, please visit the promotion’s website at www.NewEnglandFights.com. In addition, you can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”

About New England Fights

New England Fights (“NEF”) is a fight events promotions company. NEF’s mission is to create the highest quality events for Maine’s fighters and fans alike. NEF’s executive team has extensive experience in combat sports management, events production, media relations, marketing, legal and advertising.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

Veteran knockout artist Benji “The Razor” Radach returns to the cage to face Ben Reiter at “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove”

May 8, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

EASY TWEET: Hard-hitting MMA vet @benjyradach returns to face undefeated former @PennWrestling star @BenReiterMMA May 15 #Bellator

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 7, 2015) – One of MMA’s hardest-hitting pioneers will return to action for the first time since 2010, as Benji “The Razor” Radach(21-6) has agreed to replace an injured A.J. Matthews (7-3) in a middleweight preliminary fight against Ben “The Hunter” Reiter (15-0-1).

The new addition again finalizes a full nine-bout preliminary card scheduled in support of four main-card contests at “Bellator MMA: Halsey vs. Grove.”

The night’s featured matchups include undefeated Bellator MMA World Middleweight Champion Brandon “Bull” Halsey (8-0) against towering Hawaiian scrapper Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (21-14), former Bellator MMA World Champion Eduardo “Dudu” Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike “The Marine” Richman (18-5), welterweights Fernando “The Menifee Maniac” Gonzalez (23-13) vs. “Curtious” Curtis Millander (7-1) and bantamweights Darrion “The Wolf” Caldwell (6-0) vs. Rafael “Morcego” Silva (22-4).

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” takes place on Friday, May 15, at Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif. The night’s main card airs live on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT local time), while preliminary bouts stream on Spike.com.

Tickets for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove,” which start at just $50, are currently on sale at Pechanga.com and the Pechanga Resort & Casino box office.

Doors for “Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” open at 4 p.m. PT local time, and the first contest takes place 45 minutes later.

Fighting professionally since 2001, Radach fought for many of MMA’s biggest promotions, including Strikeforce, EliteXC, the International Fight League and the UFC. Seventeen of Radach’s 21 career wins have come by knockout, and he makes no secret of his intentions when he enters the cage. Boasting past clashed with MMA notables such as Brian Foster, Gerald Harris, Matt Horwich, Chris Leben, Gustavo Machado, Murilo “Ninja” Rua and Scott Smith, among others, Radach put his fighting career on hold in 2010, as he addressed a variety of nagging injuries. Now fully recovered, Radach looks to make a successful return to action.

Radach now meets a top undefeated prospect and former UPenn wrestling star Reiter, who fights for the second time under the Bellator MMA banner after spending much of his early career in Peru.

“Bellator: Halsey vs. Grove” – Friday, May 15, Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, Calif.

Main Card (9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Middleweight Title Fight: Champ Brandon Halsey (8-0) vs. Kendall Grove (21-14)

Bellator Featured Bantamweight Fight: Eduardo Dantas (16-4) vs. Mike Richman (18-5)

Bellator Featured Welterweight Fight: Fernando Gonzalez (23-13) vs. Curtis Millender (7-1)

Bellator Featured Bantamweight Fight: Darrion Caldwell (6-0) vs. Rafael Silva (22-4)

Preliminary Card (7:45 p.m. ET)

Bellator Middleweight Prelim Fight: Benji Radach (21-6) vs. Ben Reiter (14-0)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Prelim Fight: Virgil Zwicker (13-4-1) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (12-4)

Bellator Bantamweight Prelim Fight: Joe Taimanglo (20-6-1) vs. Antonio Duarte (18-5)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Jordan Parsons (10-1) vs. Julio Cesar Neves Jr. (30-0)

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Jesse Juarez (22-9) vs. Ricky Rainey (10-3)

Dark Bouts (approx. 11 p.m. ET)

Bellator Lightweight Dark Prelim: John Yoo (0-0) vs. Albert Morales (1-0)

Bellator Lightweight Dark Prelim: Shawn Bunch (3-1) vs. Rolando Perez (7-4)

Bellator Lightweight Dark Prelim: Steve Kozola (5-0) vs. Ian Butler (1-1)

Bellator Lightweight Dark Prelim: A.J. Jenkins (17-5) vs. Arlene Blencowe (5-4)

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

M-1 CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS

May 7, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

HEAVYWEIGHT: Marcin “Tybur” Tybura (12-1-0, 4 KO/TKO, 6 SUB)

M-1: 6-1-0, Uniejow, Poland (United Gym)

LIGHT HEAVYEWEIGHT: Stephan “T-800” Puetz (13-1-0, 6 KO/TKO, 4 SUB),

M-1: 4-0-0, Munich, Germany (Team MMA Spirit)

MIDDLEWEIGHT: Ramasan Emeev (12-3-0, 2 KO/TKO, 6 SUB),

M-1: 5-1-0, Makhachkala, Dagestan, Russia (Gorets)

WELTERWEIGHT: Vacant

LIGHTWEIGHT: Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui (12-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 7 SUB),

M-1: 2-1-0, Paris, France (Team Duca)

FEATHERWEIGHT: Ivan “Buki” Buchinger (29-4-0, 8 KO/TKO, 16 SUB),

M-1: 4-0-0, Gabcikovo, Slovakia (Team MMA Spirit)

Upcoming Events

June 6, 2015 – M-1 Challenge 58: Battle in the Mountains 4 in Ingushetia, Russia

Vacant M-1 Challenge Welterweight Championship:

Igor “Chatubinha” Fernandes (18-6-0, 2 KO/TKO, 13 SUB), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

vs.

Murad “Hunter” Abdulaev (14-3-1, 6 KO/TKO, 2 SUB), Anapa, Krasnodar, Russia

July 3, 2015 – M-1 Challenge 59: Kharitonov vs. Garner 2 in Astana, Kazakhstan

Heavyweight Superfight

Sergei “The Paratrooper” Kharitonov (22-5-0, 12 KO/TKO, 9 SUB), Moscow, Russia

vs.

Kenny “Deuce” Garner (16-8-0, 9 KO/TKO, 4 SUB), Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA

Information

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

www.M1Global.tv

Twitter & Instagram:
@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/pages/M-1-Global/145250878842244

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

Former Bellator MMA World Featherweight Champion Daniel Straus looks to work his way back to the belt at “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” against undefeated challenger Henry Corrales

May 6, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 5, 2015) – Former Bellator MMA World Featherweight Champion Daniel Straus (23-6) begins his trek back to a world title when he meets undefeated promotional newcomer and former King of the Cage titlist Henry Corrales (12-0) at June’s blockbuster “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” event.

The contest serves as the fifth and final Spike TV-broadcast main card matchup of the star-studded fight card.

Featuring one of the most anticipated heavyweight fights in the history of the sport with Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock, “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” takes place Friday, June 19, at St. Louis’ Scottrade Center and airs live on Spike TV.

Tickets for “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business,” which start at just $30, are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

With the night’s featured bouts now complete, additional preliminary contests will be announced shortly.

A consensus pick as one the best 145-pounders on the planet, Straus is anxious to rebound from a disappointing January loss to current Bellator MMA Featherweight Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. A member of American Top Team, Straus was ahead early in the fight and appeared to be on his way to reclaiming the belt he lost in 2014 before suffering a knee injury that limited his capabilities and eventually led to his late submission with 11 seconds left in the fourth round.

Now fully recovered, Straus plans on working his way back to a title bout as quickly as possible, and a victory on a high-profile card like “Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” would certainly help him stake his claim as the division’s No. 1 contender.

Fighting professionally since 2011, Corrales began his career primarily as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu stylist, as witnessed by his five consecutive submission wins to begin his career. However, he’s since worked diligently to improve his striking game, and of his past six victories, four have come by way of knockout. Corrales boasts an unblemished professional mark through the first 12 contests of his MMA tenure, including recent wins over big-show veterans Jerod Spoon and Seth Dikun.

“Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” – Friday, June 19, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Mo.

Main Card

Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Kimbo Slice (4-2) vs. Ken Shamrock (28-15-2)

Bellator Featherweight Title Fight: Champ Patricio Pitbull (23-2) vs. Daniel Weichel (35-8)

Bellator Featured Heavyweight Fight: Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)

Bellator Featured Featherweight Fight: Daniel Straus (23-6) vs. Henry Corrales (12-0)

Bellator Featured Lightweight Fight: Michael Chandler (12-3) vs. Derek Campos (15-4)

Preliminary Card

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Justin Guthrie (17-8) vs. Steven Mann (10-1)

Bellator Strawweight Prelim Fight: Miles McDonald (0-1) vs. Dan O’Connor (5-4)

Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Malcolm Smith (4-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Kain Royer (1-1) vs. Enrique Watson (1-0)

Bellator, mixed martial arts

Bellator MMA adds heavyweight sluggers Ewerton Teixeira and Lorenzo Hood

May 5, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

Bellators newest heavyweights Ewerton Teixeira (left) and Lorenzo Hood

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 4, 2015) – Bellator MMA’s heavyweight division will now play host to a pair of the hardest-hitting heavyweights in the game, as promotion officials are proud to announce the addition of Brazilian K-1 champion Ewerton Teixeira (3-0), as well as Blackzilians slugger Lorenzo “The Samoan Silverback” Hood (9-2).

Debut dates and opponents will be announced for both fighters in the near future.

A third dan black belt in Kyokushin karate, the 33-year-old Teixeira has been racking up titles in striking competitions for more than a decade. Teixeira reached the pinnacle of standup fighting in 2008, when he earned that year’s K-1 World Grand Prix in Fukuoka title and then fought his way to the K-1 World Grand Prix Final’s championship bout, where he would come up just short against Errol Zimmerman (though Teixeira would avenge that result in 2010).

Teixeira then turned his attention to MMA in 2012, and he has remained undefeated through his first three professional contests in the sport and is now ready to try his hand at MMA’s highest level.

Meanwhile, the 6-foot-3 Hood has been competing professionally since 2009 and has never had a fight go past the first round. Of his nine career victories, all nine have come by knockout. Hood has fought throughout the U.S. while competing on the regional circuit, earning himself recognition as one of the top heavyweight prospects in the sport.

Competing under the tutelage of former world champion Rashad Evans, the 26-year-old Hood’s work at Florida’s Blackzilians camp has prepared him for an opportunity to compete against the world’s best fighters, and Bellator MMA will now offer him a platform to prove his talent.

Fight Network, kickboxing, martial arts, mixed martial arts

FIGHT NETWORK MMA & KICKBOXING PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (Apr. 27-May 3, 2015)

May 5, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including live fights and up-to-the-minute news and analysis for mixed martial arts, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, boxing, fight news, as well as fight-themed drama series, documentaries and feature films.

Below find highlights of this week’s programming:

Monday, May 4

6:30 p.m. ET – 2014 Judo Zagreb Grand Prix– Highlights from the 2014 Judo Zagreb Grand Prix from Sept. 12-14 in Croatia.

7:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

7:30 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

8:00 p.m. ET – Final Fight Championship 3: Jurkovic vs., Catinas – Featuring Igor Jurkovic vs. Raulk Catinas in a kickboxing bout and Ante Delija vs. Michail Lamprakis in MMA action from Apr. 19, 2013 in split, Croatia.

Tuesday, May 5

1:30 a.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.

2:30 am. ET – XPTV – Coverage of regional U.S pro and amateur MMA.

4:30 a.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

7:00 & 7:30 p.m. ET – Xtreme Fighting Championship – Florida-based professional MMA featuring top American prospects, international stars and UFC veterans.

8:00 p.m. ET – 5 Rounds – Hosts John Ramdeen and Robin Black invite special guests to break down the weekend of MMA action.

8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

Wednesday, May 6

1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 6: Payback – Featuring Jimi Manuwa vs. Like Blythe and Brad Pickett vs., David Lee from Aug. 22, 2009 in London.

6:00 p.m. ET – Best of Cage Rage – Featuring classic fights from the UK-based Cage Rage organization with Anderson Silva, Antonio Silva, Victor Belfort, Paul Daley and others.

7:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now Extra: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

7:30 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA – Compilations of international MMA fights from ONE FC, UCMMA, KSW, WFC, FFC, BAMMA, EFC Africa and more.

8:30 p.m. ET – Cage Warriors 73 – Featuring Alex Enlund vs. Nad Narimano for the vacant featherweight title from Nov. 1, 2014 in London.

11:00 p.m. ET – MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency – Gabriel Morency breaks down all the happenings in MMA, discussing odds, predictions, plus special weekly guests and exclusive interviews.

11:30 p.m. ET – TakeDown Wrestling – Extensive coverage of amateur wrestling events, including the latest news, behind-the-scenes coverage from events and exclusive interviews.

Thursday, May 7

1:30 a.m. ET – Ultimate Challenge MMA 5: Heat – Featuring Dino Gambatesa vs. Brad Whjeeler from July 11, 20-9 in London.

6:00 p.m. ET – Championship Fightling Alliance – Pro MMA from Florida featuring the likes of Josh Sampo, Mike Kyle, John Howard, Sean McCorkie, Luis Palomino and others.

7:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Rookies – Aspiring kickboxers climb the ladder of success in the sport as rookies compete for a chance to become professionals and get experience needed to succeed at a higher level.

8:00 p.m. ET – Fight News Now: MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

8:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

9:00 p.m. ET — MMA Meltdown with Gabriel Morency – Gabriel Morency breaks down all the happenings in MMA, discussing odds, predictions, plus special weekly guests and exclusive interviews.

10:00 p.m. ET – Super Fight League 2 – Featuring Todd Duffee vs. Neil Grove and Alexander Shlemenko vs. Ikuhisa Minowa from Apr. 7, 2012 in Chandigarh, India.

Friday, May 8

2:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Nate Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.

4:00 a.m. ET – Best of DEEP – Featuring class fights from the historic Japanese DEEP promotion including Shinya Aoki, Hayato Sakurai and Gegard Mousasi.

5:00 a.m. ET – Best of Jewels – Classic fights from the all-female Japanese MMA league, Jewels.

6:00 – p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge – Professional MMA from Europe featuring top rising prospects and international stars.

7:00 p.m. ET — Fight News Now. MMA Edition – Covering all the happenings in the MMA world with exclusive analysis and features.

7:30 p.m. ET — Fight News Now Extra – The latest news, recaps, features and inside analysis of the fight game.

8:30 p.m. ET – Hip Show: Arena Combat – Tag-team MMA inside a 12m by 12m arena with three-level obstacle structures.

9:00 p.m. ET — KSW 16 – Featuring Mamed Khalidov vs. Matt Lindland and Mariusz Pudzianowski vs. James Thompson from May 21, 2011 in Gdansk, Poland.

11:30 p.m. ET – Toe 2 Toe with Firas Zahabi – Sit-down interview with Tristar Gym head coach Firas Zahabi, trainer to the likes of Georges St. Pierre and Rory MacDonald.

Saturday, May 9

1:00 a.m. ET – SuperKombat: New Heroes Opatija 2013 – Featuring Ivan Stanic vs. Laurent Attrifi, Mladen Brestovac vs. Andy Van Steen and the opening round of the heavyweight tournament from Feb. 23, 2013.

6:00 a.m. ET – Best of TKO – Featuring Shonie Carter vs. Jason MacDonald from TKO 21.

7:00 a.m. ET – Best of Gladiator Challenge – Featuring Jake Shields vs. Randy Velarde from Gladiator Challenge 49.

10:00 a.m. ET – Best of SportFight – Top quality MMA from the Pacific Northwest, hosted by UFC veterans Matt LIndland and Chael Sonnen. This episode features the rise of SportFight champion Enoch Wilson.

1:30 p.m. ET – Ring of Combat 46 – Featuring Brendan Barrett vs. Mlodrag Petkovic and Frankie Perez vs. Rafael Machado from Sept. 20, 2013 in Atlantic City, NJ.

4:00 p.m. ET – DEEP: 62 Impact – Featuring Satoru Kitaoka vs. Daisuke Nakamura, Daiki Jata vs. Yoshiro Maeda, Dan Hornbuckle vs. Yuya Shirai and Akihiro Gono vs. Taisuke Okuno from Apr. 26, 2013 in Yokyo.

7:00 p.m. ET – M-1 Challenge 57: Clash of Champion – Featuring heavyweight champ Mrcin Tybura vs. light heavyweight champ Stephan Puetz in a champion vs. champion superfight from May 2, 2015 in Orenburg, Russia.

10:00 p.m. ET – UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt Pre-Show – LIVE pre-fight coverage of UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt from Adelaide, Australia.

11:00 p.m. ET – Fighting Spirit MMA Season 4 – Compilation of international fights from SFL, Legend, FFC, M-1 and more.

Sunday, May 10

1:00 a.m. ET – UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt Post-Show – LIVE post-fight reaction and coverage of coverage of UFC Fight Night: Miocic vs. Hunt from Adelaide, Australia, including live post-fight press conference.

6:00 a.m. ET – Pancrase Classics – Classic pioneering MMA battles featuring Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten, Name Marquardt, Chael Sonnen and others.

10:00 a.m. ET – Best of ADCC – Featuring compilations of the greatest grappling matches ever held, featuring Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes, Eddie Bravo, Fabricio Werdum, Marcelo Garcia, Ronaldo Souza and Royler Gracie.

11:00 a.m. ET – Elite Muay Thai: Thailand vs. Challenger – The biggest Muay Thai series in the world featuring premium international stand-up fighters takingon the renowned Thai National team.

7:00 p.m. ET – USA Wrestling Weekly – Host Scott Casber gives weekly news and analysis centering around USA Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body, including interviews, features and look back at the past.

7:30 p.m. ET – Judo Astana Grand Prix 2014 – Highlights from the Judo Astana Grand Prix from Oct. 10-12 in Astana, Kazakhstan

Information:

www.FightNetwork.com

Twitter & Instagram @fightnet

www.Facebook.com/FightNetwork

ABOUT FIGHT NETWORK: Fight Network is the world’s premier combat sports network dedicated to 24/7 coverage, including fights, fighters, fight news and fight lifestyle. The channel is available in the U.S. on Cablevision in parts of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, Texas-based Grande Communications, Armstrong Cable in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, as well as on Shentel Cable in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of western Maryland. Fight Network is also on Roku set top boxes in the U.S. and Canada, streamed live on website KlowdTV.com, and available on all major carriers in Canada and more than 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Amateur MMA, mixed martial arts, New England Fights

FIFTH CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT ADDED TO NEF XVIII FIGHT CARD

May 5, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

Lewiston, Maine (May 4, 2015) – New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, will hold its eighteenth mixed-martial-arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVIII: Made in America,” on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine. Earlier today, the promotion announced the addition of an amateur bantamweight bout to the fight card. It will be the fifth amateur title awarded on the June 13 card. The bout will feature Johnny Crafts (3-0) going one-on-one with Jeff Watts (5-2) at the bantamweight limit of 135-pounds.

Voted the “Rookie of the Year” for 2014 by NEF fans, Johnny Crafts has dominated in all three of his prior bouts. For those familiar with his background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), it comes as no surprise that the brown belt has submitted each of his opponents. Last February, Crafts handed the previously-undefeated Mike Crespo (2-2) his first loss in the NEF cage. He is currently a member of Team New England United (NEU) – the largest BJJ team in the northeast.

“I’m very excited to be fighting for the first ever NEF ammy bantamweight title,” said Crafts. “This is definitely my hardest fight to date and I am ready to show everyone my progression. Jeff seems like a very well-rounded, experienced fighter and this should be a battle for the NEF fans to enjoy.”

Jeff Watts is a product of western New York state where he developed a reputation at a young age as a tough street fighter. With a background in Karate and wrestling, Watts began training in MMA in 2009. A familiar face to New England MMA fans having competed twice in Plymouth, Massachusetts, June 13 will be his debut in the NEF cage. Watts is known internationally as writer “Karmaatemycat” on major MMA website Cagepotato.com. Currently residing in Wausau, Wisconsin, he trains out of Rising Son MMA.

“I’m incredibly excited to be fighting the caliber of Jiu Jitsu that John brings to the cage,” said Watts. “I’m even more excited to see how he handles being punched in the face. First ever Bantamweight title for NEF. What an honor! Win, lose, or draw–it’s going to be a crazy night. I’m excited to show some skills I’ve never shown before. Let’s put a show on John. Bang with me.”

About New England Fights

Bellator, mixed martial arts, Spike TV

BELLATOR MMA INKS LIGHTWEIGHT KNOCKOUT ARTIST MELVIN GUILLARD TO A MULTI-YEAR, MULTI-FIGHT DEAL

May 5, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 4, 2015) – Bellator MMA officials are proud to announce that they have signed MMA fan-favorite Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard (32-14-2) to a multi-year, multi-fight contract.

A debut date and opponent will be announced for Guillard in the near future.

At only 32 years of age, “The Young Assassin” has amassed 50 professional bouts in a career that dates back to 2002. With 21 victories coming by KO, Guillard has generated a large fan base with his exciting fighting style.

Born in New Orleans, the knockout artist has honed his skills at some of the top MMA gyms in the world including Jackson’s MMA, Blackzilians, Grudge Training Center and American Top Team, where he currently trains. During his 22-fight stint with Ultimate Fighting Championship, Guillard broke MMA great BJ Penn’s record for most KO’s in the lightweight division with eight, an accolade which he still holds to this day.

“We are excited to have Melvin coming onboard,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “Withcompetitors the likes of Lightweight Champion Will Brooks, Michael Chandler, Marcin Held, Derek Anderson, Saad Awad, Dave Jansen and Patricky Pitbull on the roster already, the matchup possibilities for an exciting fighter like him are endless.”

Guillard owns victories over notable names that include Marcus Davis, Dennis Siver, Gleison Tibau, Evan Dunham, and Jeremy Stephens.

M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts

M-1 Challenge 57 results & pictures – Puetz defeats Tybura, Barnaoui upsets Divnich

May 3, 2015 FNU47 Leave a comment

Presents

M-1 CHALLENGE 57: IN THE HEART OF THE CONTINENT

MARCIN TYBURA, M-1 Challenge Heavyweight Champion

vs.

STEPHAN PUETZ, M-1 Light Heavyweight Champion

MAXIM DIVNICH vs. MANSOUR ‘Tarzan’ BARNAOUI

M-1 Challenge Lightweight Championship

May 2, 2015 ● Orenburg, Russia

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

M-1 Challenge 57: Battle in the Heart of the Continent

Puetz stops Tybura in Heavyweight Superfight

Barnaoui takes Divnich’s title belt

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Stephan Puetz defeated Marcin Tybura in Heavyweight Super Fight

ORENBURG, Russia (May 2, 2015) – M-1 Challenge light heavyweight title holder Stephan “T-800” Puetz defeated previously undefeated M-1 Challenge heavyweight champion Marcin “Tybur” Tubura in tonight’s heavyweight super fight that headlined M-1 Challenge 57: Battle in the Heart of the Continent in Orenburg, Russia.

In the co-feature, challenger Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui upset defending champion Max Divnich to capture the M-1 Challenge lightweight championship.

Puetz (13-1-0, 6 KO/TKO, 4 SUB) established himself as a genuine MMA star by defeating the larger Tybura (12-1-0, 3 KO/TKO, 4 SUB). The ultra-talented German won his fourth straight M-1 Challenge fight with a third-round technical knockout of the Polish heavyweight, who was unbeaten in six previous M-1 Challenge bouts, resulting from the doctor’s stoppage.

Barnaoui (12-2-0, 4 KO/TKO, 7 SUB), fighting out of France, stopped previously undefeated champion Divnich (11-1-0, 6 KO/TKO, 1 SUB), of Russia, in the second round via punches.

Also fighting on the main card, Russian welterweight Alexei Kunchenko (9-0-0, 6 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) knocked out British challenger Dez “The Arm Collector” Parker (4-2-0, 1 KO/TKO, 3 SUB) in the opening round, Russian featherweight Magomed Idrisov (5-0-0, 2 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) won a three-round decision over German invader Max Coga (11-4-0, 2 KO/TKO, SUB), and Russian featherweight Nikita “Piranha” Chistyakov (4-1-0, 0 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) took a hard fought three-round decision from Frenchman Moktar “Le Benkaci” Benkaci (11-6-0, 3 KO/TKO, 7 SUB).

In preliminary bouts, lightweight Murad Mirzabekov (2-1-0, 0 SUB) knocked out fellow Russian Fabrice Dato (6-2-0, 2 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) in the first round, Russian heavyweight Kurban Ibragimov (3-2-0, 2 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) punched his way to a second-round victory over Spaniard David Trallero (1-2-0, 1 KO/TKO), Russian light heavyweight Rashid Yusupov (5-1-0, 1 KO/TKO, 2 SUB) registered an impressive first-round KO of Russian Mitry Medvedev (7-5-0, 3 KO/TKO, 3 SUB), Adam “Beard” Yandiev (6-0-0, 3 KO/TKO, 3 SUB) remained undefeated with an opening-round submission (guillotine choke) win against Dmitriy Adeev (1-2-0, 1 KO/TKO) in a battle of Russian light heavyweights, Damir Ismagulov (2-1-0, 1 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) took a three-round unanimous decision from fellow Russian lightweight Sergey Andreev (5-4-0, 2 KO/TKO, 2 SUB), Kazakhstan welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov (2-0-0, 1 KO/TKO, 1 SUB) punched out Bartos “Hulk” Chyrek (4-2-0, 4 SUB) in the first round, and Russian featherweight Timur Nagibin (7-1-0, 2 KO/TKO, 0 SUB) knocked out Akhmandjon Mamurov (0-1-0), of Tajikistan, in round one.