Tag Archives: Mixed Martial Arts

Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMPLETE FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR 226: BADER vs. KONGO

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COMPLETE FIGHT NIGHT PHOTOS

 

Bellator 226: Bader vs. Kongo Main Card:

Ryan Bader (27-5, 1 NC) and Cheick Kongo (30-10-2, 1 NC) was ruled a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke

Derek Campos (20-9) defeated Daniel Straus (26-9) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)

Adam Borics (14-0) defeated Pat Curran (23-9) via TKO (punches) at 4:59 of round one

Pedro Carvalho (11-3) defeated Sam Sicilia (17-10) via submission (face-crank) at 1:56 of round two

Emmanuel Sanchez (19-4) defeated Tywan Claxton (5-1) via submission (triangle choke) at 4:11 of round two

Daniel Carey (7-3) defeated Gaston Bolanos (5-2) via technical submission (guillotine) at 4:19 of round one

 

Preliminary Card:

Ivan Batinich (4-1) defeated Daniel Compton (2-2) via submission (rear-naked choke) a 4:33 of round two

Tyson Miller (1-0) defeated Albert Gonzales (1-2) via TKO at 1:18 of round one

Alan Benson (1-1) defeated Favian Gutierrez (2-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Peter Ishiguro (2-1) defeated Elias Anderson (0-1) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Daniel Gonzalez (3-2) defeated Jon Adams (0-1-1) via TKO (strikes) at 4:56 of round two

Cornelius Savage (1-0) defeated Evan Gubera (0-2) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

John Macapa (23-4-2) defeated Ashleigh Grimshaw (20-11-1) via TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of round two

Adam Piccolotti (12-3) defeated Jake Smith (7-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:34 of round two

Jessica Borga (3-2) defeated Amber Leibrock (3-4) via submission (armbar) at 4:45 of round one

Cass Bell (4-0) defeated Isaiah Rocha (1-1) via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:21 of round one

Batsumberel Dagvadorj (6-0) defeated James Terry (20-11) via submission (bulldog choke) at 2:43 of round one

Renato Valente Alves (6-4) defeated Abraham Vaesau (5-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:36 of round three

Hyder Amil (4-0) defeated Ignacio Ortiz (2-1-1) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Chris Gonzalez (3-0) defeated Luis Vargas (2-4) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)

 

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

 

***
mixed martial arts, MMA

Vinicius De Jesus stops Chris Lozano to Retain CES MMA welterweight title

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HARTFORD, Conn. (September 7, 2019) – CES MMA World Welterweight Champion Vinicius De Jesus made his first title defense tonight, stopping game challenger Chris “The Cleveland Assassin” Lozano in the third round in the “CESMMA 58” main event at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.

The main card was streamed live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports.

Lozano (10-5) dropped De Jesus (9-2) in the opening round with a shot to the temple, but the Brazilian bounced up and fought back.  The first two rounds were fought relatively cautious as both fighters took turns being the aggressor.  De Jesus took charge in the third connected on punches and kicks, while avoiding Lozano’s limited offensive attacks.  A strong De Jesus punch snapped Lazano’s head and that’s the opening the defending chance had set up.  He bashed Lazano around the cage, trapping him as he threw punishing combinations until the referee waved off the action midway through the third. 

“I appreciate him (Lozano) accepting this fight when others didn’t,” an excited De Jesus praised his opponent after the fight.  “I respect him very much and hope he’s okay and back in the cage soon.  I have a high fight IQ and he was difficult to hit.  This is for my fans and family.

“My boxing paid off.  My father coached me to box. Now, I’m looking for the big show, the lions in the UFC.”

In the co-featured event, Hartford heavyweight Parker Porter (8-5) and his Brazilian opponent, Dirlei Broenstrup (16-7) put on a very entertaining show.  Porter couldn’t miss his overhand right in the first round, but Broenstrup responded in the second and came out hot for the third.  All of a sudden Porter unloaded a straight right on Broenstrup’s chin and that’s all she wrote with less than two minutes remaining on the clock.

“I knew I started to get tired in the third round,” Porter commented.  “I felt that I had won the first two rounds and my mentality was stay alive and don’t get taken out.  I’d love to get a shot at the CES heavyweight strap in my next fight.” 

Veteran Cincinnati lightweight Reggie Merriweather (13-5) ruined the homecoming type of night for popular and previously undefeated Jesse James Kosakowski (3-1) from Waterbury, CT. Merriweather landed several bombs, Kosakowski got out of a few jams, and then suddenly Merriweather closed the show with a single righthanded punch halfway through the first round.    Kosakowski’s large crowd of supporters expressed their collective feelings the referee had prematurely stopped the fight, but the upset was already in the books.

Massachusetts featherweight “Relentless” Robbie Leroux switched positions on Pete “The Heat” Rogers, Jr.  to win by way of a reverse heal hold (pictured below) forcing a tap-out.  It appeared that Rogers had the advantage and was moments away from victory Leroux did his thing.

Florida bantamweight Jornel “A1” Lugo, who lived in Wallingford (CT), used his speed and angles to stop Harris “Dirty Harry” Bonfilgio on punches in the first round. “Only one thing pays the bills…skills,” Lugo said after the fight.  “Everybody kept telling me to watch out for his kicks.  I studied – I’m paranoid – so I was prepared.”

Pro-debuting Brooklyn flyweight Adrian Haly took a split decision from Justin “Juggernaut” Valentin, of Meriden (CT), in the first fight of the night steamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS.

“CESMMA 59” Oct. 25, 2019 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, RI

Providence lightweight Sean Soriano (12-6) will headline “CESMMA 59” on Friday night, October 25, 2019, at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, Rhode Island.  A pair of undefeated, red-hot prospects, New York welterweight John Gotti III (4-0) and Connecticut light heavyweight William “Knightmare” Knight (5-0), are also scheduled to fight on what promises to be a loaded card.

Local favorite Nick Giuiletti, fighting out of nearby Wallingford, jumped all over lightweightCody Schieve right off the bell, driving his over-matched opponent to the mat and unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches until the undercard fight was halted only 38-second into round one by way of technical knockout.   

Massachusetts cruiserweight Dan Randall used an effective ground-and-pound attack against Jesse Baughman, who tapped out midway through the opening round.       

Connecticut bantamweight Will “Siracha” Smith took two of three rounds from Aaron Reese for a unanimous decision in the opening match of the evening.

Below find the official results:

MAIN CARD

MAIN CARD – CES MMA WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

 Vinicius De Jesus, De Jesus MMA / Norwalk, CT by way of Brazil

WTKO3 (3:22)

Chris Lozano, Warehouse Warriors / Cleveland, OH

(De Jesus retained the CES MMA title)

CO-FEATURE – HEAVYWEIGHTS

Parker Porter, Underdog MMA / Hartford, CT

WKO3 (3:17)

Dirlei Broenstrup, Minu Fight Team / Rio Grande, Brazil 

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Reggie Merriweather, Aaron Thomas Jui

Jitsu / Cincinnati, OH

WKO1 (2:37)

Jesse James Kosakowski, PSDTC / Waterbury, CT 

FEATHERWEIGHTS

Robbie Leroux, Regiment Training / Fall River, MA

WSUB (1:55)

Pete Rogers, Jr., Pete Rogers Karate / Norwich, CT

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Jornel Lugo, Combat Club & DZ MMA / West Palm Beach, FL

WKO1 (3:27)

Harris Bonfilgio, Ultimate MMA / Gilford, CT

FLYWEIGHTS

Adrian Haly, Brooklyn MMA / Brooklyn, NY

WDEC3 (29-28. 29-28, 28-29)

Justin Valentin, Underdog MMA / Meriden, CT

UNDERCARD

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Nick Giuletti, Ultimate MMA / Wallingford, CT

WTKO1 (0:38)

Cody Schieve, Team Schieve / Jasper, IN 

HEAVYWEIGHTS

Dan Randall, FAA /Granby, MA

WSUB1 (2:33)

Jesse Baughman, Team Link North / Littleton, NH  

BANTAMWEIGHTS

Will Smith, Golden Falcon MMA & FAA / West Haven, CT

WDEC3 (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Aaron Reese, Jackson Wink MMA / Shaker Heights, OH 

INFORMATION:

Websites:  www.cesmma.com, www.ufcfightpass.com, www.ctconventions.com

Twitter: @CESMMA, @UFCFightPass, @ctconventionCT  

Instagram: @CESMMA, @UFCFightPass

Facebook: /CESMMA, /UFCFightPass, /CTConventions

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

NATE WHITE STEPS IN AT LAST MINUTE TO SAVE LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT AT NEF 40

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (September 3, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) will debut in Orono this Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts with the promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: School of Hard Knocks.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur lightweight fight to the card.  Nate “The Mule” White (2-0) returns to the cage to face Ryan Savage (0-1) at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

Undefeated Nate White stepped up on just a few days’ notice after Savage’s original opponent, Andrew Kamakas, could not gain medical clearance to fight.  The 19-year-old Rumford, Maine native is on a roll this year and making a play for the “Rookie of the Year” nod from NEF fans.  So far, White has needed just over a combined four minutes to down his first two opponents.  In April, he forced a first-round stoppage against Clifford Redman at “NEF 38” when Redman suffered an injury less than a minute into the fight.  White followed that victory up with a technical knockout of Justin Kangas at “NEF 39” in June. White, a member of the Maine Army National Guard, will be traveling straight from being tazed and peppered sprayed only hours before his scheduled competition with Savage on Saturday night, as part of his Guard OC and tazer qualification training.

“This is a busy week in my life,” said White. “I’m in Texas right now for a job interview and will be flying back on Wednesday to head off to drill weekend with the Guard before my fight on Saturday night, but life is all about seizing opportunities when they become available. I’m excited for the chance to test myself against Ryan. I’ve heard that he is a good guy and I know he trains hard, so I’m excited to see how my skills match-up against him.”

Ryan Savage, a fellow active serviceman with the Air Guard, will be looking for the first win of his amateur MMA career this Saturday night in Orono.  At “NEF 38” last April, Savage lost via submission to Connecticut’s Arii Fernandez in the first round of Savage’s debut.  He currently represents First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine.

“I’m very fortunate to be given another chance to showcase my true potential,” said Savage. “My first MMA fight opened my eyes to the importance of being an all around fighter, and was a very humbling experience. Nate has been on a roll these last two cards, and I know is training hard to continue his undefeated streak. Nate has great skill, but I’m ready to put that to the test and show everyone I’m here to stay.”

“Fight lore is full of legendary tales of guys stepping-up on last-minute notice to save bouts—and this is another example of that,” said Matt Peterson, NEF Matchmaker and co-owner. “Two active servicemen from respected gyms in the state—one a boxer and the other a wrestler—agreeing to an MMA fight on short notice is just one more added attraction to the stacked card that we have set to wow UMaine with this weekend. I’ve never been more excited to go back to school.”

New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS,” will take place this Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts at the University of Maine as the promotion debuts in Orono, Maine.  Doors will open at 6 pm and first fight will take to the cage at 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now atwww.collinscenterforthearts.com.

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 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, MMA

FULL CARD SET FOR BELLATOR’S DEBUT IN BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 AT WEBSTER BANK ARENA

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BELLATOR 225: MITRIONE VS. KHARITONOV 2 AIRS ON PARAMOUNT NETWORK AND DAZN AT 9 P.M. ET/8 P.M. CT

LOS ANGELES – Bellator will hold the first-ever MMA event at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. on Saturday, August 24 when the always-exciting Matt Mitrione (13-6, 1 NC) once again squares off against Sergei Kharitonov (29-7, 2 NC) in a heavyweight headliner.


The remainder of the main card features four other must-see bouts, including two additional heavyweight slugfests, as former Bellator heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov (21-1) faces Javy Ayala (11-7) in the co-main event, while undefeated heavyweight prospects Tyrell Fortune (6-0) and Rudy Schaffroth (6-0, 1 NC), who both originally hail from Portland, Ore., collide in the main card opener.

 

Rounding out the five-fight card on Paramount Network – the man with the most appearances inside the Bellator Cage in history, David Rickels (21-5, 2 NC), takes on the undefeated Ukrainian Yaroslav Amosov (21-0) in a 175-pound catchweight bout, and former flyweight title contender Alejandra Lara (7-3) meetsTaylor Turner (4-5) at bantamweight, who returns after recently upsetting Heather Hardy at Madison Square Garden earlier this summer.

 

The main card can be seen live on Paramount Network and DAZN at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com, DAZN and globally on the Bellator Mobile App beginning at 5:45 pm EST/2:45 pm PST.

 

Tickets for Bellator 225: Mitrione vs. Kharitonov 2 are on sale now, and are available in-person at the Click It or Ticket Box Office at Webster Bank Arena, as well as online at Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com.

 

Earlier in the evening, Connecticut’s own “Notorious” Nick Newell (15-2) will lace up the Bellator gloves for the first time in his career and make the short drive from his home in Milford, Conn. to Webster Bank Arena, when he meets Corey Browning (5-2), a man who has already defeated “Baby Slice” and Aaron Chalmers. Also representing the “The Constitution State,” the surging Mike “The Savage” Kimbel (3-1) will be looking to impress the partisan crowd againstChris Disonell (3-3).

 

Preliminary action is highlighted by appearances from top Bellator prospects, including Royce Gracie’s eldest son Khonry Gracie (1-1), Israel’s Aviv Gozali (2-0) and the promotional debut of light heavyweight Grant “The Truth” Neal (1-0). Plus, long-time UFC and TUF veteran Sabah Homasi (12-8) returns to the Bellator Cage for the first time since Bellator 124.

 

Also on the card, unbeaten Austin “The Gentleman” Vanderford (7-0) will make his middleweight debut against Georgia’s Joseph Creer (6-0-1), New Jersey’s Ricky Bandejas (11-3) will return to action for the first time since relocating to American Top Team in Florida, when he competes at bantamweight against Virginia’s Ahmet Kayretli (8-3, 1 NC) and the always-exciting Tim Johnson (12-5) will make his sophomore Bellator appearance against recently signedAzunna Anyanwu (15-5) of Philadelphia in a heavyweight matchup.

 

Complete Bellator 225: Mitrione vs. Kharitonov 2 Fight Card:

Heavyweight Main Event: Matt Mitrione (13-6, 1 NC) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (29-7, 2 NC)

Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Vitaly Minakov (21-1) vs. Javy Ayala (11-7)

Bantamweight Feature Bout: Alejandra Lara (7-3) vs. Taylor Turner (4-5)

175-Pound Catchweight Feature Bout: David Rickels (21-5, 2 NC) vs. Yaroslav Amosov (21-0)

Heavyweight Feature Bout: Tyrell Fortune (6-0) vs. Rudy Schaffroth (6-0, 1 NC)

 

Preliminary Card:

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Khonry Gracie (1-1) vs. Oscar Vera (0-1)

165-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout: Aviv Gozali (2-0) vs. Eduard Muravitskiy (9-8)
Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Grant Neal (1-0) vs. Alpha Toure (Pro Debut)

Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Sabah Homasi (12-8) vs. Micah Terrill (14-7, 1 NC)

Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Austin Vanderford (7-0) vs. Joseph Creer (6-0-1)

Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Tim Johnson (12-5) vs. Azunna Anyanwu (15-5)

Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Ricky Bandejas (11-3) vs. Ahmet Kayretli (8-3, 1 NC)

140-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout: Mike Kimbel (3-1) vs. Chris Disonell (3-3)

Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Nick Newell (15-2) vs. Corey Browning (5-2)

165-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout: Kastriot Xhema (3-3, 1 NC) vs. Connor Dixon (Pro Debut)

175-Pound Catchweight Preliminary Bout: Jon Manley (11-6) vs. Thiago Rela (10-7)

 

*Card subject to change.

 

***
M-1, M-1 Challenge, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

Undefeated M-1 Challenge Lightweight Champion Roman Bogatov to headline M-1 Challenge 104

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August 30 in Orenburg, Russia

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (August 7, 2019) – Undefeated M-1 Challenge lightweight champion Roman Bogatov defends his title against Mickael “Ragnar” Lebout, headliningM-1 Challenge 104: Battle in the Heart of the Continent, on day, August 30, at Sports Arena Orenburgzhye in Orenburg, Russia.

WKG & M-1 Challenge 104 will be streamed live from Russia in high definition on www.M1Global.TV. Viewers will be able to watch the preliminary fights and main card by logging on to register at www.M1Global.TV. Fans may watch all the action on their computers, as well as on Android and Apple smart phones and tablets. M-1 Challenge 104 will also beavailable on www.FITE.TV.

Bogatov (8-0, M-1: 7-0), fighting out of Russia, is a grappling master who literally put to sleep three of his last four victims.  Bogatov, who has a superior ground attack, captured the coveted M-1 Challenge title last September at M-1 Challenge 97, when he won a five-round decision over Rubenilton Pereira.  In his first title defense this past January, Bogatov used an arm triangle choke to submit another Brazilian challenger, Michel Silva.

Lebout (19-9-2, M-1: 3-1) is a dangerous challenger from France, who has won three of four M-1 Global fights to date.  An all-around fighter, Lebout can adjust to his opponent, whether he needs to use his striking, grappling and tactical skills to win.

Former M-1 Challenge title challenger Andrey “Iron” Lezhnev (18-8, M-1: 6-4) brings his invaluable experience into The Rage to face popular Busurmankul Abdibait Uulu (11-2-1, 3-0-1) in the co-featured event.

Lezhnev, of Ukraine, has won eight of his last 10 fights, knocked down M-1 Challenge featherweight champion Nate Landwehr, albeit in a losing effort, in his most recent action. Abdibait Uulu, the pride of Kyrgyzstan, has defeated three tough opponents in a row to set the stage for his biggest test in Lezhnev.

Brazilian flyweight Flavio “Madruga” de Silva Santos (9-3, M-1: 0-0) makes his M-1 Global debut against Arman Ashimov (10-3-1), of Kazakhstan.   Santos is the latest in a wave of Brazilian fighters who’ve found a home in M-1 Global.

Brazilian National Champion and BJJ black belt, Jean “Panqueka” Petrick (10-3-1, M-1: 2-0) throws-down with Boris “Bora” Polejay (18-6-1, M-1: 2-1-0), of Ukraine.  The winner of this bout will likely position himself for a title shot.

Opening the main card is a bantamweight showdown between Vazha Tsiptauri, Georgian National MMA and kickboxing champion, and Russian prospect Selem Evloev.

American bantamweight “Gorgeous” George Garcia (9-3, M-1: 1-0) took his M-1 Global debut fight on short notice, yet he used his grappling acumen to defeat Yuriy Chobuka, by way of a rear naked choke, only 20-seconds into the opening round of their fight last March atM-1 Challenge 101.  The California grappler, who is riding a six-fight win streak, returns on the undercard against notorious finisher Bair Shtepin, of Russia.

Also fighting on the undercard is French featherweight Anthony “La Masse” Dizy (12-3, M-1: 1-0) vs. Russian Zalimbek Omarov (10-3-1, M-1: 7-2-1), Russian welterweight Mikhail “Bulldozer” Doroshenko (3-0, M-1: 0-0) vs. Azerbaijan Bayram Mamedov (0-1 (M-1: 0-0), and a battle between Russian strawweghts Zarina Gumerova (1-1-1, M-1: 0-0) vs. Asiya Klyutova (1-1, M-1: 1-0) in a rare female M-1 Global fight.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

INFORMATION:

www.M-1Global.com

www.mixfight.ru

Twitter & Instagram:


@M1GlobalNews

@M1Global

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:

Aug. 30, 2019 – M-1 Challenge 104: Roman Bogatov vs. Mickael Lebout in Orenburg, Russia.

Grappling

TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR KINEKTIC SUBMISSION GRAPPLING EVENT ON AUGUST 16 IN ANAHEIM, CA

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Streaming Live and Exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®

LAS VEGAS (August 1, 2019) – Tickets are now on sale for the inaugural Kinektic submission grappling event, streaming exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, live from Anaheim Business Expo Center on Friday, August 16, at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

All team formatted Kinektic events will feature four competing teams, each comprised of five world-class grapplers, in a tournament consisting of semifinals and a championship final. Additionally, all events will feature a grappling Super Fight, which will feature additional participants not already competing in the tournament.

Tickets are priced at $65.00 (VIP), $50.00 Reserved) and $30.00 (General Admission), and available to purchase by going online to: http://tickets.ticketforce.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1656.

The captains of the four star-powered teams are UFC veteran and MMA media personality Chael Sonnen; world-class grappler Craig Jones; UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith; and former UFC welterweight Chris Lytle.

Co-founded by UFC® Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, Las Vegas entrepreneur Keith Veltre, and award-winning combat sports announcer Sean Wheelock, Kinektic is a unique, tournament-style promotion that will feature athletes from various combat sports disciplines, including mixed martial arts, grappling, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and more. 

Faber, who also serves as Kinektic’s Vice President of Business Development, will be the mat-side and backstage interviewer. Joining Faber will be UFC women’s flyweight Paige VanZant, who is the lead color commentator, and play-by-play announcer Sean Wheelock.

The one-night tournament consists of bouts with eight-minute time limits. Losers of the semifinal matches are eliminated; draws result in the elimination of both athletes; and the first team with five members eliminated will be out of the competition.  The surviving team will be declared the winner. A feature unique to Kinektic Grappling is that the order in which athletes compete is not predetermined. There are thirty seconds between each bout and each team captain will be responsible for strategically deciding which team member will participate next. All members of each team must compete at least once. Captains will also have the option to compete for their team.   

Full team rosters will soon be announced.

For more information about the event, please visit:

Twitter: @Kinektic1, @UFCFightPass, @UrijahFaber, @PaigeVanZant, @SeanWheelock, @Keith_Veltre Instagram: @UFCFightPass, @UrijahFaber, @PaigeVanZant, @Sean_Wheelock, @KeithVeltre Facebook: @UFCFightPass, @UrijahFaber, @PaigeVanZant, @SeanWheelock, @KeithVeltre

About UFC FIGHT PASS® UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to exclusive, live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features, in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 17,000 bouts from dozens of combat sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit https://www.ufcfightpass.com.

mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

ZAC RICHARD RETURNS TO NEF CAGE IN LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION AGAINST BRANDON SEWALL

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Orono, Maine (July 19, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) will debut in Orono on September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts with the promotion’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: School of Hard Knocks.”  Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of an amateur lightweight bout to the card.  Zac Richard (3-2-1) will meet Brandon Sewall (0-1) at a fight weight of 155 pounds.

Zac Richard has competed twice previously in the lightweight division, winning both fights in 2018.  That same year, Richard was voted “Rookie of the Year” by NEF fans.  He has yet to taste victory in 2019 with all three of his fights this year thus far taking place in the 145-pound featherweight division.  Richard went to a five-round draw with Fred Lear for the amateur featherweight championship last February in what has been a leading contender for “Fight of the Year” in 2019.  On September 7, Richard will look to bounce back from back-to-back losses in his two most recent fights this spring.  At “NEF 38,” Richard dropped a five-round unanimous decision to Tom Pagliarulo (3-1) prior to losing via first-round submission to Miguel Cuevas (6-1) in June.

“I’m very excited to get back in there after coming off two losses a month apart,” said Richard.  “I’m extremely unhappy with my fight against Tom—I definitely can’t have another off-day on fight day again. I’ve made a lot of changes to make myself happier with my life. The grind is different now.”

“Having watched Zac compete since he was a child during his youth wrestling days, I’ve seen how he navigates challenges,” noted NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson.  “He doesn’t look for the easy way out—he’s a born competitor and he always seeks out the toughest opponents. Whether it was in wrestling or now in MMA, he comes to fight. I have no doubt that he will be on the warpath on September 7th, looking to get back to his winning ways.”

Zac Richard has drawn a big one for his return to the lightweight division.  Brandon Sewall stands 6’1,” towering over most others in the weight class.  The resident of Bath, Maine will look for his first win in the NEF cage after losing his debut to Jimmy Jackson (4-3) last month at “NEF 39.”

“It is going to be simple – locate him, get at him, and strike him as hard as I can,” said Sewall when reached for comment.

“Brandon embodies the martial spirit,” stated Peterson. “When I suggested Zac to him as an opponent, he didn’t hesitate at all. He’s eager to prove the validity of his training and disciplined diet in the NEF cage in front of a big audience. Brandon will be the much bigger man in the bout. Whatever the outcome, I know that both guys will be looking to set a furious pace and finish the fight quickly.”

New England Fights’ next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 40: SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS,” will take place Saturday, September 7, 2019 at the Collins Center for the Arts at the University of Maine as the promotion debuts in Orono, Maine.  Tickets are on sale now at www.collinscenterforthearts.com.

Bellator, mixed martial arts, MMA, Russia

BELLATOR RE-SIGNS HEAVYWEIGHT LEGEND FEDOR EMELIANENKO TO EXCLUSIVE MULTI-FIGHT CONTRACT AHEAD OF FAREWELL TOUR

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LOS ANGELES — Bellator is proud to announce that Russian MMA great Fedor Emelianenko (38-6, 1 NC) has signed an exclusive multi-fight contract extension to finish his career inside the Bellator cage.

 

Emelianenko’s farewell tour continues in Bellator’s stacked heavyweight division on the heels of a finals run during the promotion’s eight-man Heavyweight World Grand Prix.Fighting out of Stary Oskol, Belgorod Oblast, Russia, “The Last Emperor” recently earned first-round knockouts over Chael Sonnen and Frank Mir in the tourney’s semifinals and opening round, respectively.

 

“I am pleased that we were able to sign Fedor, the greatest heavyweight of all time, to a new contract extension,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “He is someone that I consider a friend in this business and am even more pleased that he has decided to finish his storied career with Bellator. There are exciting matchups for him here in Bellator that I know will appeal to his fans from the past, as well as new fans from his recent run in the tournament. As his time in the sport winds down, I am happy to see him close out his career on his own terms.”

 

“My strong friendship and respect for Scott Coker made reaching a contract extension a simple process,” said Fedor Emelianenko. “Bellator is my home – I look forward to helping Bellator continue to grow and reach its full potential as the world’s top MMA promotion.”

 

 

A former PRIDE Heavyweight Champion and PRIDE 2004 Heavyweight World Grand Prix Champion, Emelianenko is often referred to as “The GOAT” by fans around the world. With a career resume that stands as one of the most impressive in the history of the sport that includes victories over Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko Cro Cop, Mark Hunt, Mark Coleman and Andrei Arlovski, to name a few. With 29 career victories ending via finish, the punching power and world-class Sambo of the stoic Russian can always result in yet another accolade in his illustrious career.

 

Emelianenko’s return to the Bellator cage is yet to be determined, but he is expected to return to action later this year.

 

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.
Bellator, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

BELLATOR 222: MACDONALD VS. GRACIE MAIN CARD SET WITH SIX BOUTS

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FULL FIGHT CARD ANNOUNCED FOR MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IN NYC THIS FRIDAY – AIRING EXCLUSIVELY ON DAZN

NEW YORK – The line-up for the highly anticipated Bellator 222: MacDonald vs. Gracie event has been completed with two title fights and 18 electric bouts in total filling out Bellator’s return to Madison Square Garden this Friday, June 14 – only on DAZN. The star-studded card is headlined by a double main event that will see a Welterweight World Grand Prix semi-final matchup between current Bellator welterweight world champion Rory MacDonald (20-5-1) defending his title against the unbeaten Renzo Gracie-trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Neiman Gracie (9-0), as well as two of the sport’s biggest names in Lyoto Machida (25-8) and Chael Sonnen (31-16-1) finally meeting after years of parallel careers in the MMA world.


 
The main card of Bellator 222 will stream live exclusively on DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while preliminary action begins at 6:30 p.m. EST/3:30 p.m. PST and will also stream onDAZN or globally on the Bellator Mobile App.


 
Limited tickets remain available and can be purchased online from Ticketmaster.com, MSG.com and Bellator.com.


 
The DAZN-streamed main card also features Darrion Caldwell (13-2) defending his Bellator bantamweight world title against Rizin Fighting Federation’s bantamweight championKyoji Horiguchi (27-2) in a true “champion vs. champion” matchup, following a Horiguchi submission victory when the two met in Rizin’s ring this past December in Japan, as well as a 175-pound catchweight contest between polarizing grappling ace Dillon Danis (1-0) and Max Humphrey (3-2). Additionally, fans will see an intriguing featherweight bout featuring former Bellator 135-pound champion Eduardo Dantas (21-6) making the leap to 145-pounds in an attempt to hand Juan Archuleta (21-1) the first loss of his Bellator career, while Ricky Bandejas (11-2) welcomes unbeaten Patrick Mix (10-0) at bantamweight.


 
Preliminary action for Bellator 222 is also must-see and features many of Bellator’s rising stars. Those who tune in will see bouts highlighted by Aaron Pico (4-2) versus Adam Borics (12-0) at 145-pounds, as well as a second inter-promotional contest pitting Rena of Rizin (8-2) against Lindsay VanZandt (5-1) in a 112-pound catchweight fight. Bellator 222will also see the return of “The Heat” to MSG, when world champion boxer Heather Hardy (2-1) faces Taylor Turner (3-5) at flyweight. Familiar faces in Mike Kimbel (2-1), Robson Gracie Jr. (1-0) and Haim Gozali (10-6) will all also compete, while former The Ultimate Fighter participant Phil Hawes (4-2) will make his promotional debut. Lastly, it was recently announced that undefeated Taekwondo Master Valerie Loureda (1-0) will make her sophomore appearance when she welcomes Larkyn Dasch (0-1) to the Bellator cage on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.


 
Bellator 222 Main Card:

Welterweight World Grand Prix Semifinal Title Bout: Rory MacDonald (20-5-1) vs. Neiman Gracie (9-0)

Light Heavyweight Co-Main Event Bout: Lyoto Machida (25-8) vs. Chael Sonnen (31-16-1)

175-Pound Catchweight Bout: Dillon Danis (1-0) vs. Max Humphrey (3-2)

Bantamweight Bout: Ricky Bandejas (11-2) vs. Patrick Mix (10-0)

Featherweight Bout: Eduardo Dantas (21-6) vs. Juan Archuleta (22-1)

Bantamweight World Title Bout: Darrion Caldwell (13-2) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (27-2)

 

Undercard:

Featherweight Bout: Aaron Pico (4-2) vs. Adam Borics (12-0)

Women’s Flyweight Bout: Heather Hardy (2-1) vs. Taylor Turner (3-5)

Women’s Flyweight Bout: Valerie Loureda (1-0) vs. Larkyn Dasch (0-1)

Welterweight Bout: Robson Gracie Jr. (1-0) vs. Oscar Vera (Pro Debut)

Bantamweight Bout: Mike Kimbel (2-1) vs. Sebastian Ruiz (2-2)

175-Pound Catchweight Bout: Haim Gozali (10-6) vs. Gustavo Wurlitzer (22-22, 1 NC)

Women’s 112-Pound Catchweight Bout: Rena Kubota (8-2) vs. Lindsay VanZandt (5-1)

Middleweight Bout: Phil Hawes (4-2) vs. Michael Wilcox (6-3)

Lightweight Bout: Marcus Surin (5-1) vs. Nekruz Mirkhojaev (4-2)

Flyweight Bout: Brandon Medina (Pro Debut) vs. Brandon Polcare (1-2)

165-Pound Catchweight Bout: Kastriot Xhema (2-3) vs. Whitney Jean Francois (2-6-1)

Featherweight Bout: John Beneduce (2-2) vs. Kenny Rivera (2-1)


 
*Card subject to change

 

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.
mixed martial arts, MMA, New England Fights

CORAPI OUT, LOCKARD IN AGAINST ERICKSON; FIGHT NOW FOR LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE AT NEF 39

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lewiston, Maine (June 4, 2019) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to the Androscoggin Bank Colisee on Saturday, June 22 with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN.”  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced that Jesse “The Viking” Erickson (9-7) will meet Dylan Lockard (5-1) for the vacant NEF Professional Lightweight Championship.  Former champion Ryan Sanders (18-9) decided to vacate the title late last year due to the extreme weight cuts he had to endure to make the lightweight limit of 155 pounds.

The bout, originally scheduled to be a non-title affair between Erickson and Lewis Corapi (8-5), came about after Corapi had to pull out due to illness.

“Jesse Erickson has been a perennial contender since the inception of the NEF Lightweight Title,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “In 22 bouts between his amateur and professional career, you have to go all the way back to his very first fight in 2012 to find the one time that Erickson has ever had a fight go to the judge’s scorecards. He always competes with a ferocity that leads him to securing the finish, or being finished. He’s pure fire every time he climbs in the cage. Dylan Lockard, by the same token, has only lost once between his amateur and professional outings and is one of the hottest prospects in New England right now. As an amateur, Lockard beat both Josh Harvey and Caleb Hall—two NEF staples that are undefeated and have looked unstoppable since turning professional. You couldn’t ask for a more perfectly matched fight between two experienced, hungry athletes to fill the highly coveted lightweight title.”

Erickson has attempted to capture the lightweight belt three times previously, twice against Bruce Boyington (17-11) and once against current UFC competitor Devin Powell (9-4), only to come up short in each fight.  Erickson says he will be patient in this bout in hopes of winning the title that has eluded him to date.

“First, I want to thank Dylan for stepping up to take the bout,” remarked Erickson. “He seems well-rounded and has wins over some quality opponents. I’m working hard every day and will enter the cage in the best shape I’ve ever been in. I’m not going to be in a rush in the cage on June 22nd. I have five rounds to put him away and finally walk out with that belt. Victory or Valhalla, fourth time’s the charm.”

Lockard will definitely be entering hostile territory with hundreds of Erickson’s hometown friends, family and fans in the crowd.  The fight will take place ten pounds heavier than the featherweight limit Lockard usually competes at.

Everything about Lockard’s background, however, indicates that he rises to meet any challenge.  In 2010 he won a state championship at 152 pounds wrestling for Timberlane Regional High School in Plaistow, New Hampshire, finishing his senior season with an impressive 38-9 record.  He began his amateur MMA career in 2014 and went a perfect 4-0, defeating some of the best the region has to offer including Harvey and Hall.  Lockard turned pro in the summer of 2016.  His only loss to date has been against a very tough Shane Manley (5-5), who longtime NEF fans will remember as the athlete who handed both Jesse Erickson and Ray Wood (8-5) the first losses of their respective MMA careers.  Lockard is currently on a two-fight win streak since the loss to Manley, most-recently upending previously-undefeated Anthony Wright (4-1) on a fight card in Rhode Island last fall.

“I’m excited to come up to Maine and fight for the NEF title,” said Lockard when reached for comment.  “Jesse is a really tough opponent, and I think we match up well. It’s going to be an exciting fight for the fans.”

“NEF 39: ALL-AMERICAN,” will take place on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine with a bell time of 7 pm.  Tickets are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com.