|
||||||
|
Tag Archives: mma
He’s Back! Bellator MMA signs the unmistakable Kimbo Slice to a multi-fight contract
THE BEARDED BRAWLER IS BACK!
BELLATOR MMA SIGNS KIMBO SLICE TO A MULTI-FIGHT PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT
SANTA MONICA – (January 16, 2015) The legend of Kimbo is back on Spike. One of MMA’s most recognizable names, the wildly popular former internet sensation Kimbo Slice has signed an exclusive, multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA and will make his promotional debut later this year.
Bellator officially announced the signing moments ago on Spike TV during the “Bellator: Pitbull vs. Straus” event when Bellator’s Jimmy Smith caught up with the Miami slugger via Skype (#technology).
“I’ve been trying to keep busy as much as possible,” said Slice. “Been boxing over the past couple of years. My current record [as a boxer] is 7-0. Bellator is up there in the tops and they’re giving me the opportunity to fight on primetime and Spike TV. You know you can’t resist Spike TV.
“You gotta think, I’m still hungry out there. I haven’t got my fill yet. Whoever steps up to the plate, they got to bring it. I’m comin to get it.”
“Anyone who has been to a Kimbo Slice fight has felt a thick, electric, tension in the air,” said Bellator President Scott Coker. “The man has a proven knack for evoking excitement every time he steps inside a cage, and that fits perfectly with the kind of fights we aim to put together.”
Born in the Bahamas and raised in Florida, Slice started his combat sports career on the streets of Miami, where he competed in unsanctioned prize fights on camera. The bouts were viewed by millions on the Internet, establishing Slice as a true viral sensation.
Slice turned his attention to mixed martial arts in 2007, picking up a submission win over former WBO heavyweight boxing champion Ray Mercer in an exhibition contest to begin his career. He would go on to compete professionally for both the UFC and EliteXC, where he would notch wins over MMA legend Tank Abbott, as well as fellow sluggers Houston Alexander and James Thompson.
Slice walked away from the sport in 2010 to focus on a career in boxing, where he went undefeated in seven professional contests. Six of those wins came by knockout.
Nearly five years after his final MMA appearance, Slice now returns to the sport, where the 6-foot-2 heavyweight slugger again looks to stand toe-to-toe with anyone willing to put on a pair of four-ounce gloves and trade blows in the pocket.
About Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike TV, the MMA television leader. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
About Spike TV:
Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.
Access the application for each fight by clicking on the proper banner
Don’t Miss Global Proving Ground 17 TONIGHT!
UFC Fight Night Boston: Embedded Vlog, Episodes 1, 2 & 3
RUMFORD WRESTLING ROYALTY SET TO SCUFFLE AT “NEF XVI”
Lewiston, Maine (January 16, 2015) –New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, presents its sixteenth mixed martial arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVI,” on February 7, 2015 in Lewiston, Maine. The event is scheduled to originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of three more bouts to the fight card including a professional heavyweight bout between Mike “Dragon Foot” Hansen (1-1) and Artie “The Fearless One” Mullen (1-13); an amateur heavyweight bout between Ryan Glover (0-0) and Jason Field (0-0); and an amateur featherweight bout between Jimmy Jackson (1-2) and Kris Welch (0-0). Hansen, Glover and Welch are all former wrestling champions from Mountain Valley High School located in Rumford, Maine.
Mike Hansen won a state championship as a heavyweight wrestler for Mountain Valley in 2004. After graduating high school that same year, Hansen began training and competing in the sport of mixed martial arts. Hansen made his successful MMA debut in 2005 when he defeated Eric Brown (5-7) via submission in the first round. Shortly thereafter, Hansen enlisted in the Army where he served as a Combat Engineer. Now retired from the Army, Hansen, who recently signed a long-term contract with NEF MMA, is excited to return to his competitive roots in the NEF cage on February 7thand to represent his hometown.
“Rumford-Mexico, especially MVHS [Mountain Valley High School], and Dixfield—we’re all a proud, hardworking breed of people. It is my responsibility and others to go out and show what we are capable of,” said Hansen when reached for comment. “Be true to our region. We are an athletic community and always have been. I will show up [on February 7th] and do my best and I will win.
“Wrestling has played a huge role in my fighting career, but even more so was wrestling here in Rumford, Maine. My first wrestling coach was Jamie Dolloff, then Jason Dolloff, then Gary Dolloff—notice a pattern? I owe a lot to these guys and so doesn’t the area. Wrestling for the Dolloff’s created a foundation for fighting and life. Without wrestling, there is no way I would be where I am or have done the things I’ve done.
“Fighting next to local boys always gets me excited. Knowing that MVHS will have some state champions in the cage that night is awesome.”
Kris Welch won back-to-back state championships for Mountain Valley in 2000 and 2001 and amassed a high school career record of 120-17. Now, Welch is focused on making his MMA debut and representing his community in combat sports.
“I want to put on a good show for my town, family, and friends,” said Welch when reached for comment. “We have a great community here in Rumford-Mexico and they do a great job supporting local fighters. Having a solid wrestling background will play a key role in my transition to MMA. Taking your opponent down is a big part of this sport. It feels great to compete on the same card as Ryan Glover and Mike Hansen and getting a chance to work with these guys has been great. This area has a lot of unseen talent that will be delivered to the cage on February 7th.”
Ryan Glover was a state runner-up in wrestling in 2010 before winning a state championship as a heavyweight in 2011 for Mountain Valley High School, where he was also a standout football player and named the “2010 Sun Journal Football Player of the Year.” The two-sport state champion athlete has now turned his attention toward the sport of MMA and plans on making a name for himself in NEF.
“[Fighting for NEF] is a great opportunity and I’m hoping it opens some eyes and brings more fighters to the area to train with us,” stated Glover when reached for comment. “My wrestling background has helped me with my ground game and left me more time to brush-up on my boxing.”
“Our Matchmaker, Matt Peterson, attends wrestling tournaments across Maine and New England on a regular basis scouting for new talent,” stated NEF promoter and co-owner Nick DiSalvo. “We’re proud to feature such a compelling set of matchups between some familiar faces and new names to NEF and are confident these bouts will deliver extreme excitement.”
NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVI,” takes place on February 7, 2015with an all-star lineup of fights scheduled. Ray “All Business” Wood (5-0) returns that night to defend the NEF MMA Featherweight Title against Bellator and WEC veteran Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison (16-9). NFL and UFC The Ultimate Fighter veteran Tyler King (7-2) puts the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title on the line against Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-2). In the feature bout of the evening, UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Nah-Shon Burrell (10-5) makes his NEF MMA debut against Ryan Hodge (6-9). Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 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.
MILITARY VETERANS TO FACE-OFF AT NEF XVI
Lewiston, Maine (January 15, 2015) –New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, presents its sixteenth mixed martial arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVI,” on February 7, 2015 in Lewiston, Maine. The event is scheduled to originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional featherweight bout to the fight card. “Shatterproof 2.0” Derek Shorey (1-1) has signed to meet Jon Lemke (4-3) at a fight weight of 145-pounds.
“We’re so very proud to have two military heroes like Derek Shorey and Jon Lemke representing our promotion in the cage,” said NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “Our featherweight division is one of our deepest, and this fight will have major implications for the rankings.”
Derek Shorey debuted in NEF MMA in April 2012 at “NEF II.” He competed for NEF four times as an amateur going 1-3 for the promotion. At “NEF XIV” last September, Shorey made his professional debut against John “First Class” Raio (2-6), who had defeated Shorey when the two competed as amateurs. Shorey gained a measure of revenge by submitting Raio in the first round. He went on to face Matt Denning (1-0) at “NEF XV” this past November. Although he controlled most of the first round, Shorey suffered his first loss as a pro fighter that night. He is currently the head of the recently-formed Shatterproof Combat Club. Shorey also served in the United States Navy. As a fellow veteran, Shorey holds his opponent Lemke in high regard.
“Jon is a tough draw for any fighter in New England at 145,” said Shorey. “He is probably the most well-rounded fighter I’ve faced to date and I’m excited to see what that brings out in me. It’s going to be a military bar fight between the squid and the devil dog taking place in a controlled environment, and the outcome is sure to be nothing short of an exciting show for the NEF fans. I hold nothing but the highest level of respect for Jon and the guys at Team Irish, and look forward to an exciting bout.”
Jon Lemke, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps (USMC), last appeared in the NEF MMA cage at “NEF XIV” in September 2014 defeating Amos Collins (3-5) via first-round technical knockout (TKO). He is a member of Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis’ (22-11) Team Irish based in Brewer, Maine. Lemke previously fought on the national stage, defeating Jesse Erickson (3-4) on NEF’s co-promotion with Bellator in March 2013. Lemke is clear that the respect is mutual between himself and Shorey.
“I am once again very excited and grateful to step into the NEF cage and do battle against a true warrior,” said Lemke. “I look forward to meeting the challenges that such a highly-skilled athlete such as Derek provides. To be able to meet and exceed those challenges will be a testament to the hard work that myself and teammates have done and will continue to keep improving and live my dreams.”
NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVI,” takes place on February 7, 2015with an all-star lineup of fights scheduled. NFL and UFC The Ultimate Fighter veteran Tyler King (7-2) puts the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title on the line against Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-2). In the feature bout of the evening, UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Nah-Shon Burrell (10-5) makes his NEF MMA debut against Ryan Hodge (6-9). Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 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.
Denis Smoldarev vs. Maro Perak added to M-1 Challenge 55 card Feb 21 in Georgia
|
|||||||
|
UFC Fight Night Boston: Embedded Vlog – Ep. 1
Kenny Garner vs. Aslambek Musaev Announced for M-1 Challenge 55
|
||||||
|
BANTAMWEIGHT BATTLE ADDED TO LEWISTON PRO CARD
Lewiston, Maine (January 14, 2015) –New England Fights (NEF), America’s number-one regional fight promotion, presents its sixteenth mixed martial arts (MMA) event, “NEF XVI,” on February 7, 2015 in Lewiston, Maine. The event is scheduled to originate from the Androscoggin Bank Colisee. Earlier today, NEF announced the addition of a professional bantamweight bout to the fight card. Matt “Ken Doll” Denning (1-0) will step into the cage to face Jovan White (1-6) at a fight weight of 135-pounds.
Denning was victorious in his professional debut at “NEF XV” this past November over Derek Shorey (1-1) in the first round. The early-going in that fight was controlled by Shorey. Denning, seconds after absorbing two powerful slams on the back of his neck, submitted Shorey with an armbar. He will look to repeat his success on February 7 in Lewiston, Maine.
“I’m extremely confident going into this fight, I’ve been training hard and consistent since I fought Caleb Costello almost a year ago,” said Denning when reached for comment. “I’ve been training different things and learning tons more now that I’m training for pro style fighting.”
A 2008 graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine, Denning learned his craft in recent years at Central Maine Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (CMBJJ) – a Team New England United (NEU) affiliate – under head coach Travis Wells. Denning had a stellar amateur career to prepare him for the pro ranks. He went 4-3, facing stiff competition like Dom Cofone (5-5), Jay Perrin (5-1 amateur, now 1-0 pro) and Jeremy Tyler (4-3) to name a few. Win or lose, Denning’s fights have always been exciting and action-packed. He predicts much of the same in his pending bout with Jovan White.
“I’ve watched the fights that I can find of Jovan and I think he’s gonna come out hard and explosive,” Denning continued. “This fight is going to be exciting. I’m bringing everything I have and going for a back to back pro wins. I see the fight ending in the first by either TKO or submission. I’ll show how powerful I am. I look forward to fighting Jovan.”
White is no stranger to the NEF MMA cage. In September 2013, White arrived in the Pine Tree State for the first time and scored an upset submission victory over Tommy Balzano (1-4). White is a member of Team Riot MMA based in Orange Park, Florida, where he trains with the likes of number-one contender to the NEF MMA Lightweight Title Jamie Harrison (5-1) and number-one contender to the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title Terry Blackburn (5-2). White will look to play the role of spoiler in Matt Denning’s sophomore professional effort.
NEF’s next MMA event, “NEF XVI,” takes place on February 7, 2015 with an all-star lineup of fights scheduled. NFL and UFC The Ultimate Fighter veteran Tyler King (7-2) puts the NEF MMA Heavyweight Title on the line against Terry “The Polar Bear” Blackburn (5-2). In the feature bout of the evening, UFC, Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Nah-Shon Burrell (10-5) makes his NEF MMA debut against Ryan Hodge (6-9). Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 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.