Tag Archives: Mixed Martial Arts

SHOWTIME® ANNOUNCES RAW AND REVEALING DOCUMENTARY CHRONICLING SPORTSCASTER MAURO RANALLO AND HIS LIFELONG BATTLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

 

 

BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER Premieres During Mental Health Awareness Month

On Friday, May 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME

 

Photo Courtesy: SHOWTIME/Amanda Westcott

 

NEW YORK – April 30, 2018 – Prolific combat sports broadcaster Mauro Ranallo and his lifelong battle with mental illness are the subject of a new documentary film from SHOWTIME Sports®BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER – named for the moniker Ranallo gave himself as a broadcast personality and DJ in the early 90’s – will premiere on SHOWTIME during Mental Health Awareness Month on Friday, May 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

 

 

 

First look video: https://s.sho.com/2Ft4Mig

 

 

 

Ranallo has Bipolar Affective Disorder, a condition afflicting nearly five percent of the U.S. population according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI.org). As a national sportscaster for preeminent boxing, mixed martial arts and WWE events, Ranallo has long been an advocate for ending the stigma of mental illness. Now, for the first time, he exposes the true extent of his daily struggle. Through extensive behind-the-scenes video footage, candid personal interviews and detailed accounts from his loved ones and doctors, BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER takes an unflinching look at mental illness and its effects.

 

 

 

The film explores Ranallo’s career, including his work on the two biggest pay-per-view events in television history, and his relentless pursuit of a childhood dream despite seemingly insurmountable odds. Through this deeply personal portrait, Ranallo hopes that the film might inspire others to persevere in pursuing their dreams despite the challenges of a mental health condition.

 

 

 

“I have always tried to do my part to bring awareness to mental health issues,” said Ranallo. “Over the last several years, I allowed my best friend, Haris (Usanovic), to film me at my lowest points as well as at my highest. The idea is simply to show others who suffer that they are not alone and that, even when the outlook is bleak, you can overcome and achieve success. Mental illness is a life sentence—there is no cure—but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence.”

 

 

 

“Through BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER, Mauro Ranallo has chosen to share not only his life’s dreams, but his nightmares as well,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming for Showtime Networks Inc. “Having reached the pinnacle of his profession, Mauro bravely turns his keen observational skills inward to examine his own life-long battle. The result is a raw, poignant and ultimately inspirational film that personifies Mauro’s courage and selflessness.”

 

 

 

Ranallo is a popular fixture on today’s combat sports scenes. In a career that has spanned more than 30 years, he has called everything from “All-Star Wrestling,” a Canadian professional wrestling outfit, to historic MMA events for PRIDE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS out of Japan, to WWE SmackDown Live on USA Network, to many of the biggest boxing events in the world for SHOWTIME Sports. Ranallo was the first broadcaster to call play-by-play on boxing, kickboxing, MMA and professional wrestling events on national television.

 

 

 

Today, Ranallo is the voice of three prominent nationally televised series: SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, WWE’s weekly show NXT on WWE Network, and BELLATOR MMA on Paramount Network. Perhaps best known for his dramatic, excitable style, Ranallo is a student of the English language. He has already made a lasting mark on the industry having called the two biggest pay-per-view events in television history: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao (May 2015, international telecast); and Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor (Aug. 2017, SHOWTIME PPV®).

 

 

 

BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER is produced by Brian Dailey, the network’s Vice President, Sports Digital Content and Strategy, and MALKA MEDIA GROUP. Directed by first-time filmmaker Haris Usanovic, the film is executive produced by Stephen Espinoza and SHOWTIME Sports.

 

 

 

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon, Google, Xbox One, Samsung and LG Smart TVs. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, Sony PlayStation Vue, Amazon Channels and FuboTV. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

BANTAMWEIGHT REMATCH SIGNED FOR NEF 34 IN PORTLAND

Portland, Maine (April 30, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” on Saturday night, June 16, 2018 Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the card.  Ernesto Ornelas (3-7) has signed to face Carl Langston (0-1) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

 

 

 

The bout will be a rematch of their fight in Portland earlier this month.  Ornelas and Langston initially met at “NEF 33” on April 14 at Aura. Ornelas, a member of Portland’s The Choi Institute, put on an impressive showing for the duration of three rounds on his way to a unanimous decision win on the judges’ scorecards.  The victory was Ornelas’ first in the NEF cage with four previous attempts since the promotion’s inception in February 2012.  (He holds a record of 1-0 as a professional in the NEF boxing ring as well.)  Not only is Ornelas predicting another win over Langston on June 16 – he promises to finish his foe this time.

 

 

 

“Carl said his nerves got the better of him that night. No, they didn’t – I got the better of him, once I stepped into that cage and took the center and looked him in the eye,” said Ornelas imperatively.  “I saw fear. A true fighter has no fear. June 16, he will see what a true fighter looks like, as he looks up at me from the flat of his back.”

 

 

 

The “NEF 33” bout with Ornelas was Langston’s pro debut after a lengthy amateur career that spanned 16 fights and more than four years.  Many of his friends and family had turned out for the event in his hometown of Portland.  And while Langston did force Ornelas to the scorecards, the Young’s MMA member was disappointed in his own performance, blaming the loss on nerves.  He immediately asked NEF matchmakers for a rematch against Ornelas on the June 16 Portland card.

 

 

 

“I couldn’t be more excited about getting this rematch,” declared Langston. “I asked for this rematch the same night I lost to Ernie. I just wasn’t me that night. It was my first pro fight and my nerves got to me. I just didn’t feel like myself in there. That being said, I still took him to a decision being that he had nine pro fights and I was making my pro debut. He still doesn’t bring the skill set and talent that I bring to the cage. This was a big mistake for Ernie to accept this rematch. He got lucky the first time, and I promise I will finish him this time. I know what it feels like being in there with him now, and I will make him fold without a doubt in my mind. He’s a mouthpiece, and I’m going to silence him and his groupies.” 

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

BELLATOR 198: FEDOR vs. MIR OFFICIAL RESULTS & PHOTOS

 

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FULL EVENT PHOTOS | FULL VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

 

Bellator 198: Fedor vs. Mir Results:

Fedor Emelianenko (37-5, 1 NC) defeated Frank Mir (18-12) via TKO (punches) at :48 of round one

Emmanuel Sanchez (17-3) defeated Sam Sicilia (16-9) via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:52 of round one

Rafael Lovato Jr. (8-0) defeated Gerald Harris (25-6) via submission (armbar) at 1:11 of round one

Neiman Gracie (8-0) defeated Javier Torres (10-4, 1 NC) via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 3:18 of round two

Dillon Danis (1-0) defeated Kyle Walker (2-5) via submission (toe hold) at 1:38 of round one

 

Preliminary Card:

R’Mandel Cameron (6-3) defeated P.J. Cajigas (6-7) via unanimous decisión (29-28 x3)

Mark Stoddard (16-9) defeated Dan Stittgen (12-6) via submission (triangle choke) at 4:43 of round one

Eric Wisely (29-9-1) defeated Morgan Sickinger (20-11) via submission (armbar) at 1:12 of round one

Joey Diehl (12-9) defeated Nate Williams (27-18) via submission (triangle choke) at 54 seconds of round one

Asef Askar (1-0-1) and Andrew Johnson (0-0-1) fought to a majority draw (28-27, 28-28, 28-28)

Adil Benjilany (4-1, 1 NC) defeated Corey Jackson (3-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Sultan Umar (6-2) defeated Tom Angeloff (7-6, 1 NC) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

Robert Morrow (24-21-1) defeated Adam Maciejewski (13-7-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

 

Joe “Diesel” Riggs vs. undefeated M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artem Frolov on June 1st in Russia

SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (April 27, 2018) – Eternal confrontation: experience vs. youth will continue June 1st at M-1 Challenge 93 in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

 

 

 

Undefeated M-1 Challenge middleweight champion Artem Frolov (10-0-0, M-1: 7-0-0), who was mentioned by Fighters Only Magazine among the 20 top MMA prospects for 2018, will defend his title for the first time against American favorite Joe “Diesel” Riggs (47-17-1, M-1: 2-0-1).  Frolov is known as a well-rounded fighter who has defeated all ten of his opponents, four of which he knocked out, and the other four submitted. Last October, Frolov captured the belt by defeating UFC veteran Caio Magalhaes, of Brazil, by unanimous decision, but he needed a break to heal his injuries.

 

 

 

 

At the same event, Riggs got his second victory in M-1 Global competition, extending his winning streak to six fights, all ended by TKO. Another impressive victory earned “Diesel” his title-shot and he is ready to add another championship belt to his collection. Since the champ (Frolov) could not fight and Riggs wanted to stay active, he took another fight against Ukrainian wrestler Borys Polezhai (18-6-0), which ended in a draw. “Diesel” was clearly not satisfied with that result, but his impressive unbeaten streak helped him get the June 1st title shot. Riggs, of course, will bring do his best to become world champion once again.

 

 

 

 

Will Riggs get his 48th career victory and bring another title back home to Arizona or will it be an easy job for the young Frolov?

 

 

 

 

Russian star Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko (56-10-1, 1 NC, M-1: 6-0-0) headlines M-1 Challenge 93 against Brazilian power-puncher Bruno Silva (17-6-0, M-1: 0-0-0).

 

 

 

 

Watch the event in the M-1 Global app, on M1Global.com or on FITE.TV for just $7.99 and enjoy a dozen stunning fights from the best European promotion M-1 Global!

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION:

www.M1Global.tv

www.mixfight.ru

www.wmmaa.org

 

 

 

 

Twitter & Instagram:

 

@M1GlobalNews

@VFinkelchtein

@M1Global

 

 

 

 

Facebook:

 

www.facebook.com/M-1-GlobalNews

 

 

 

 

Upcoming M-1 Challenge Events:

May 12 – M-1 Challenge 91: Doskalchuk vs. Ashimov in Shenzhen, China.

May 24 – M-1 Challenge 92: Kharitonov vs. Vyazigin in Saint Petersburg, Russia

June 1 – M-1 Challenge 93: Shelemnko vs. Silva in Chelyabinsk, Russia

THIRD WOMEN’S MMA FIGHT ADDED TO NEF 34 CARD IN PORTLAND

Portland, Maine (April 27, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” on Saturday night, June 16, 2018 Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur women’s catchweight bout to the card.  Chelsea Tucker (0-2) will return to the NEF cage to take on the debuting Glory Watson (0-0) at a fight weight of 130-pounds.

 

 

 

Chelsea Tucker, a member of First Class MMA of Brunswick, Maine, is a native of Williamsburg, Virginia.  She has served her country as a veteran of the United States Coast Guard.  Tucker has twice entered the NEF cage to compete in MMA bouts.  She lost to Sarah Matulis (1-0) via TKO last fall at “NEF 31.”  She returned to meet Catie Denning (1-0) in February at “NEF 32.”  Tucker forced Denning to a decision, but lost on the judges’ scorecards.  Earlier this month, Tucker entered the NEF cage for a third time to grapple Carol Linn Powell (0-1) on the opener of “NEF 33.”  Tucker and Powell went to a five-minute draw. 

 

 

 

“I look forward to stepping into the cage with Glory,” said Tucker.  “It’s always an honor to step into the cage with anyone who puts in the time and work. She comes from a very good gym and so do I.  I have some great sparring partners and coaches. I’m excited to show what I have learned every time I make an appearance.”

 

 

 

“NEF 34” will be the debut of Glory Watson in the MMA cage.  Watson is a product of Young’s MMA of Bangor, Maine where she is a teammate of Catie Denning who defeated Chelsea Tucker earlier this year.  She is eager to test the skills she has picked up from her team in the cage this June.

 

 

 

“I’m looking forward to stepping into the cage to represent Young’s MMA,” said Watson.  “I love this sport, and am excited to show what I can do. I am thankful to the NEF for this opportunity to put the skills I have learned to the test.”

 

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

 

FNU Combat Sports Show: Lee vs. Barboza Recap, Wilder Camp Offers $50 Million to Joshua for Boxing Superfight, etc.

This week Tom, Tony and Rich recap last week’s UFC Fight Night, all the boxing action from last Saturday, and all the biggest combat sports stories of the week, including the funeral of Wrestling Legend Bruno Sanmartino. We also preview upcoming events, with Tom and Rich making a push-up bet on Fedor vs. Mir in this Saturday’s Bellator Main Event.

Listen to the whole broadcast below:

 

COMBATE AMERICAS KNOCKS OUT THE COMPETITION WITH RECORD RATINGS

Over 4.6 Million Television Viewers Tune In For “Combate Estrellas I” Across Univision And Univision Deportes Network In The U.S. And Azteca 7 in Mexico

 

U.S. Television Ratings Increase By 10 Percent with “Combate Estrellas II”
 On Friday, April 20

 

Sponsors Included Anheuser-Busch’s Estrella Jalisco, Advanced Auto Parts, Double Cross Vodka, Hot 6 Energy Drink and Battle Boom Gaming

 

 

NEW YORK– April 26, 2018– Combate Americas today announced ratings for its first two live, 2018 events – “Combate Estrellas I” and “Combate Estrellas II” – which also marked the historic, first-ever live Univision and Univision Deportes Network (UDN) televised Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events, on Friday, April 13 and Friday, April 20, respectively.

 

Despite its start time of midnight ET in the United States, “Combate Estrellas I” delivered a total of 583,000 persons 2+, including 296,000 adults in the coveted 18-49 age group, on the Univision and Univision Deportes Network simulcast, beating Bellator 197, which aired in primetime on the Paramount Network.

 

In Mexico, the event delivered over 4 million live broadcast television viewers on Azteca 7.

 

The Facebook LIVE stream of the “Combate Estrellas I” preliminary bout card, which immediately preceded the 90-minute live television airing of the main card, delivered over 294,000 streams.

 

“The amazing growth of our TV ratings confirms we are the hottest MMA promotion in the world,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.

 

Airing exclusively on UDN in the midnight ET slot the following Friday, April 20, “Combate Estrellas II” delivered another 200,000 total viewers, a 10 percent increase from the first installment of the two-part, “Combate Estrellas” live event series.

Of the total UDN viewers for “Combate Estrellas II,” 67 percent were in the 18-49 age group.

 

The Facebook LIVE stream of the “Combate Estrellas II” preliminary bout card garnered over 630,000 streams, more than doubling the online audience from one week earlier.

 

Like Combate Americas, advertisers also emerged victorious from the record-ratings.

 

“We were thrilled to partner with Anheuser-Busch’s Estrella Jalisco, Advanced Auto Parts, Double Cross Vodka, HOT 6 Energy Drink and Battle Boom Gaming for the event, which allowed them to engage with the consumer on location, as well as reaching millions of consumers through multi-platforms with respective key brand messaging,” said Combate Americas CRO, Mike Pine. “Combate Americas is the only MMA engine in existence today that serves 100 percent a Hispanic demographic, allowing brands to streamline and reach the fastest growing population in the world and a consumer set that will spend close to $1.7 trillion in 2018.”

 

The bantamweight (135 pounds) main event of “Combate Estrellas I” at The Shrine in Los Angeles, Calif. saw Jose “Pochito” Alday (11-3) of Mexico edge out a split decision over superstar John “Sexi Mexi” Castaneda (16-4) of the U.S., while the flyweight (125 pounds) co-main event featured the MMA debut of five-division world boxing champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (0-0-1) who, representing Puerto Rico, valiantly fought Corina Herrera (3-4-1) of the U.S. to a draw.

 

In the first live televised fight of the night, ferocious, featherweight (145 pounds) rising star Jose “Froggy” Estrada (5-1) of the U.S. score a second round (1:43) TKO (knees and punches) on “Ruthless” Rudy Morales (5-6) of Guatemala.

 

Amongst the celebrities who took in the action at The Shrine were Diego Boneta, Camila, Cynthia Olavarria, Victoria La Mala, Flor de Toloache and Forggie.

 

In the bantamweight main event of “Combate Estrellas II” at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, world-ranked superstar and Monterrey native Erik “Goyito” Perez (18-6) avenged a previous defeat at the hands of David “D.J.” Fuentes (13-10) of McAllen, Texas, U.S., scoring a third round (1:22) KO (punches) on Fuentes while, in the bantamweight co-main event, Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo (14-5) of Cordoba, Argentina decimated Fabian Galvan (8-3) of Monterrey via first round (2:34) knockout (punch).

 

Leading off the live telecast, 20-year-old sensation Melissa “Super Melly” Martinez (4-0) extended her unbeaten run by earning a dominant, unanimous decision over Ivanna Martinenghi (4-2) of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

Combate Americas returns to UDN on Friday, April 27, beginning at 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT, with “Combate Estrellas III,” a compilation of the best, non-televised fight action from the “Combate Estrellas I” and “Combate Estrellas II” preliminary bout cards.

 

Source: Nielsen, NPM, L+SD data

LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION RETURNING TO NEF CAGE IN PORTLAND

 

 

 

Portland, Maine (April 26, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” on Saturday night, June 16, 2018 Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of a professional lightweight bout to the card.  Reigning NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion “The” Ryan Sanders (15-9) will face Vince McGuiness (5-7) in a non-title bout at a fight weight of 155-pounds.

 

 

 

Ryan Sanders has had a storied career in the NEF cage.  He competed in, and won, the main event of the very first NEF card in February 2012 over veteran Dan Keefe (7-3).  Sanders fought on ten of the first fifteen NEF cards, including the company’s co-promotion with Bellator in the spring of 2013.  After more than a two-year absence from NEF, Sanders returned to the promotion in August 2016 and went on a five-fight win-streak over the course of the next year – the longest streak of his career.  During that stint, Sanders captured his first gold in NEF – the coveted professional lightweight title – with a victory over Jon Lemke (7-8) last spring.  The bout with McGuiness will be Sanders’ first in the NEF cage since August 2017.  He will be looking to bounce back from a loss in Massachusetts last month.  Sanders is a longtime member of Bangor, Maine’s Young’s MMA fight team.

 

 

 

“I’m ecstatic to be back fighting for the NEF, it has been too long,” said Sanders. “I’m back to show the fans that I’m the best lightweight in the region, and that I’m on the road to be the best lightweight in the world. I really appreciate Vince taking this fight. I look forward to showing my improvements and the work that I’ve been putting in while away from the cage. I have great coaches, teammates, and an amazing wife in my corner that makes me truly feel unstoppable. Come watch me take another step towards my destiny on June 16 in Portland.”

 

 

 

A native of Brooklyn, New York and current head coach of Bang Muay Thai in Tampa, Florida, Vince McGuiness is no stranger to the New England MMA scene.  His two most recent fights have been in Massachusetts, and McGuiness has even competed previously on a Portland fight card in 2015.  He will be looking to rebound against Sanders after losing his last four bouts in the cage.

 

 

 

“I’m excited to be back in New England fighting again,” said McGuiness. “I always get love up there. I’m ready to put on a scrap!”

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

SECOND WOMEN’S MMA BOUT ANNOUNCED FOR NEF 34 IN PORTLAND

Portland, Maine (April 25, 2018) – New England Fights (NEF) returns to Aura in Portland, Maine with its next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” on Saturday night, June 16, 2018.  Earlier today, the fight promotion announced the addition of an amateur women’s bantamweight bout to the card.  Carol Linn Powell (0-1) is scheduled to face Sarah Matulis (1-0) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.

 

 

 

 

Powell is the wife of current UFC signee and former NEF MMA Professional Lightweight Champion Devin Powell (8-3). Together, the couple owns and operates Nostos MMA & Conditioning Facility in Somersworth, New Hampshire.  The gym earned the “Best Martial Arts Gym” designation in the 2017 “Best of the Seacoast” awards.  Carol Linn made her in-cage debut last November in Portland against Francesca Morabito (1-0), losing a hard-fought decision on the judges’ scorecards.  Earlier this month, Powell grappled Chelsea Tucker to a draw to open “NEF 33″ in Portland.

 

 

 

 

“Words can’t describe how excited and thankful I am to be partaking in the third NEF event in Portland after competing in the first and second,” said Powell when reached for comment. “Both times I’ve been in the cage have been very entertaining—the first of which ended in me getting my contacts knocked out and looking like Sloth after—and this time will be no different, I just plan on getting the job done quicker. I am looking forward to getting back in there and testing myself again and getting to witness how much better I have gotten at the sport. Sarah and I both made our debuts at ‘NEF 31’ in November, and I can’t wait to overcome the new challenges she has for me and to get my first win in the cage.”

 

 

 

 

Like Powell, Sarah Matulis did indeed make her cage debut at “NEF 31” last November in Portland.  That evening she was victorious over Chelsea Tucker with a first-round technical knockout.  By day, Matulis is a mother and nurse practitioner who studied nursing at Pace University in New York.  She is a member of The Outlet based in Dexter, Maine and regularly competes in grappling events throughout the New England region.

 

 

 

 

“I’m thrilled to be competing again for NEF,” said Matulis.  “Carol Linn and I are both budding amateur fighters.  I know she’s hunting for her first win, but I plan to remain undefeated. NEF fans are accustomed to seeing spectacular WMMA bouts, and I fully expect this fight will keep to that standard.”

 

 

 

 

NEF’s next mixed-martial-arts event, “NEF 34: Home of the Brave,” will take place at Aura in Portland, Maine on Saturday, June 16, 2018.  Tickets are on-sale now online at www.AuraMaine.com.

United Fight Alliance Teams with Legends in Historic Live Interactive MMA Event

Ft. Lauderdale, FL – April 24, 2018 – For the first time in MMA history, audiences will be able to directly interact with fighters during a fight in real-time. Fans watching this Thursday’sLegend’s live stream around the world can purchase tokens which will authorize the holder to contribute toward fight goals and help determine larger cash bonuses. The more a fan contributes, the louder their voice is heard figuratively and literally inside the arena.

 

 

In the Main Event, former UFC Heavyweight Champion of the World Ricco “The Hitman” Rodriguez faces UFC veteran Alex “The Spartan” Nicholson.  Alex is extremely dangerous and has devastating knockout power in both hands.  Ricco knows Alex wants to knock out a UFC Heavyweight Champion and will have to bring his “A” game to escape the cage with a win. In the Co-Main Event, long time fight veteran “Felony” Charles Bennett faces Bruce “The Iron Lion” Lutchmedial.  You never know what you are going to get out of Bennett but one thing is for sure you will be entertained in a big way. Lutchmedial, like Nicholson, will be looking to knock-off a famous name.

 

 

Emmy Award winning Television Host, Jordan “Jay” Adams, has the call with UFC featherweight Charles “Boston Strong” Rosa.

 

 

And in another MMA first, Thursday’s event will be simulcast in 4K virtual reality. This will let fans join their favorite fighter inside the cage and experience a fight like never before!

 

 

Watch for FREE this Thursday night April 26th at 7PM ET right here.

 

 

About United Fight Alliance  UFA is a one-hour MMA program that brings you the best MMA from around the world. Watch as some of the biggest names in MMA fight toe to toe in the cage.  You’ll see exclusive footage, interviews and fighter profiles.  United Fight Alliance features top ranked fighters, women’s fights, intense action and more.  UFA and its network of shows including Brawl Call, a thirty-minute MMA magazine style, behind the scenes show, are now broadcast to over 70 million homes, www.UnitedFightAlliance.comor www.BrawlCall.com.