Tag Archives: RFA

mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA RETURNS TO LAS VEGAS WITH SMITH vs MARUNDE

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 MAIN EVENT:
GILBERT SMITH vs. BRISTOL MARUNDE
WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
CO-MAIN EVENT:
ZOILA FRAUSTO vs. JOCELYN JONES-LYBARGER
WOMEN’S STRAW WEIGHT WORLD TITLE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9TH LIVE ON AXS TV
LIVE at the Downtown Las Vegas Event Center, Las Vegas, NV
 
Tickets on Sale Now at Ticketmaster.com 

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) has announced that the promotion will return to the “Fight Capital of the World” with RFA 31 – Smith vs. Marunde in October. This will be the RFA’s first trip to Las Vegas since RFA 4, which was the promotion’s first nationally televised event. The main event of RFA 31 will see RFA welterweight champion Gilbert Smith defend his title for the first time against fellow UFC vet Bristol Marunde. The co-main event of RFA 31 will feature Zoila Frausto and Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger competing for the inaugural RFA women’s strawweight title. RFA 31 – Smith vs. Marunde will take place Friday, October 9th at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

Tickets for RFA 31 – Smith vs. Marunde are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.com. You can also support your favorite fighter buy purchasing your tickets through CageTix.com.
A very limited number of 8 seat VIP table  can be reserved by calling 303-521-0966
Smith (11-4) is excited about headlining a third RFA event in a third RFA title fight this year. In January, Smith’s first title shot was hindered after his opponent egregiously missed weight by 5-pounds. Smith then received an immediate title shot in his next bout due to his original opponent’s brazen weight advantage. He capitalized on this opportunity, when he faced the newly crowned RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith in June. Smith captured the title with third round armbar victory in Broomfield, Colorado. Smith is now looking to gain holding status with a successful first title defense in Las Vegas.
“First and foremost, it’s a great honor to defend my RFA title in Las Vegas,” stated Smith. “I look forward to putting on a great fight for the fans in Las Vegas, but like I said after my last fight, this belt is staying around my waist. I have nothing but respect for Bristol Marunde, but I will let him know he’s not on my level. Come October 9th, this belt is coming back to Colorado.”

Marunde (16-9) enters the title fight riding the momentum of a four-fight win streak. The Las Vegas based Xtreme Couture representative is a veteran of the UFC and The Ultimate Fighter, just like Smith, and was quick to call-out Smith via social media earlier this summer, when Smith extended an open invitation to take on all-challengers after winning the title. Marunde is a Las Vegas resident that is excited about showcasing his new and improved skill set at RFA 31.

“It’s nice to be fighting in Las Vegas, but I will be the next RFA welterweight champion regardless of where it’s held,” Marunde explained. “I’m ready for this challenge in Gilbert Smith. I want everyone to see this fight. It will be my best performance to date.”
The co-main event of RFA 31 will feature the return of Zoila Frausto (12-4), who was the first-and-only Bellator women’s champion. Frausto won the Bellator women’s strawweight title by winning MMA’s most significant women’s tournament to date. In the eight-woman tournament, Frausto defeated Jessica Penne, Jessica Aguilar, and Megumi Fujii. Penne has gone on to fight for the UFC women’s strawweight title, Aguilar was widely considered the #1 women’s strawweight in the world for years, and Fujii is a legend in women’s MMA who was 22-0 when she fought Frausto for the title in the tournament finale. Frausto, who has never lost at 115-pounds, is now eager to reclaim her throne atop the women’s strawweight division.
“More than anything, I’m happy to be back,” stated Frausto. “I’m a completely different fighter now. I’m not just athletic, but I’ve added world-class striking and won a Muay Thai world title. I now have size, strength, speed, and skill that the girls at 115-pounds aren’t ready for. It’s exciting to fight for the first RFA women’s title in Las Vegas. The first fight I ever saw was in Las Vegas and I remember seeing it and thinking, this is what I want to do and this where I want to fight.”

Jones-Lybarger (5-1) enters the title fight as the most successful woman in RFA history. The MMA LAB product has won three consecutive fights since signing with the RFA last year. In those three bouts, she has showcased a wide variety of skills. In her debut, she won a Unanimous Decision over the scrappy Rosa Acevedo at RFA 14. Jones-Lybarger then out-grappled the heavy-handed striking stalwart Rebecca Ruth at RFA 19. In her most recent outing, she used her formidable boxing skills to defeat talented jiu-jitsu based fighter Maria Rios at RFA 23. Jones-Lybarger was set to return to action this month at RFA 29 as part of Team USA, but her opponent was forced off the card and Jones-Lybarger quickly shifted her attention towards her biggest challenge to date.

“I honestly feel that my time is now,” Jones-Lybarger explained. “When the fight with Kinberly (Novaes) was called off, I knew my time for an RFA title fight with Zoila was now. This is the win I need to get me to the next chapter in my career and I’m excited about becoming the first RFA women’s champion.”
The entire RFA 31 – Smith vs. Marunde main card, preliminary card, and further information regarding this event will be announced soon. RFA 31 will be the promotion’s second event to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada since its inception in 2011. The entire main card of RFA 31 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, October 9th.
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.

About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents live events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 43 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).

About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA RETURNS TO NEBRASKA WITH SMITH vs. JARDINE

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                                          MAIN EVENT:
ANTHONY “LIONHEART” SMITH vs. 
BROCK  “THE MACHINE” JARDINE
MIDDLEWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
CO-MAIN EVENT:
RYAN “ARE YOU READY” ROBERTS vs. 
ADAM “PRIME TIME” TOWNSEND
FEATHERWEIGHT WAR
BANTAMWEIGHT FEATURE FIGHT:
DARRICK MINNER vs. MATT BROWN
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH LIVE ON AXS TV
LIVE at the Pinnacale Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska
 
Tickets on Sale Now at Ticketmaster.com 
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will return home to its roots in Nebraska with RFA 30 in September. The promotion hosted its first show in the “Cornhusker State” in December 2011 and has since promoted MMA events in 13 states across 3 time zones. RFA 30 will take place Friday, September 18th inside the state-of-the-art Pinnacle Bank Arena located in the state’s capital city of Lincoln, Nebraska. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

“RFA started in Nebraska and I’m excited to see Anthony Smith and Brock Jardine add to our history in the Cornhusker State,” stated Soares. “These are two surging UFC vets that are about to collide in a fantastic main event at RFA 30.”
Tickets for RFA 30 are available now through Ticketmaster.com. You can also support your favorite fighter buy purchasing your tickets through CageTix.com.
Smith (22-11) is currently enjoying a career resurgence that has left his last five opponents reeling and looking for answers. Smith, who is a native of Nebraska City, Nebraska, quickly rose to prominence in mixed martial arts. Widely known for his no-nonsense approach to fighting, Smith racked up win-after-win and soon found himself a veteran of the UFC, Strikeforce, and Bellator by the time he was 25-years-old. However, it wasn’t until he turned 25 that he feels that he was finally able to close all the gaps in his MMA game. That turning point in his career has contributed directly to his recent winning streak heading into RFA 30 and he is excited about showcasing his new form back in the city where he made his professional MMA debut in 2008.

“I’m super pumped about headlining RFA 30 in front of my fans in Nebraska,” stated Smith. “I don’t know any fighters with my kind of support system. You can’t beat 3,000 people. That noise is pretty much a third man in the cage and no one is beating me in Nebraska. I grew up in Nebraska City, I live in Omaha, and I made my pro debut in Lincoln. My fans in all three cities will be there to see me win in devastating fashion on September 18th.”

Jardine (12-5) is currently enjoying a career resurgence of his own, now that he is back competing as a middleweight, where he has never lost.  Jardine, who competed twice for the UFC as welterweight, holds a career record of 7-0 at 185-pounds. That includes wins in his last three fights, which have all taken place in headliners in his home state of Utah this year. Jardine credits his head coach Rob Handley at Absolute MMA in West Jordan, Utah for his recent win streak at middleweight and looks to parlay that run into a career defining victory at RFA 30, which he sees as his golden ticket back to the UFC.

“I’m very excited to be a part of a great organization like the RFA,” Jardine exclaimed. “Everyone knows what the RFA is all about, developing top prospects and getting UFC vets back to the big show. This will be a great fight for the fans, where the winner could very easily punch their ticket back to the UFC. That’s exactly what I plan on doing at RFA 30.”
The co-main event of RFA 30 also features a local favorite, who is looking to get back to the UFC. That would be Ryan “Are You Ready” Roberts (21-10-1), who like Smith, is also riding the momentum of a five-fight win streak. Roberts most recent outing was his most impressive fight during this run. He stopped fellow UFC vet Junior Hernandez via TKO in the first round of a regional title fight. Roberts is now looking to stick to his winning ways in his RFA debut.
“I’m honored to be fighting as the co-main event in the RFA,” stated Roberts. “I believe I am one of the top featherweights on the roster and will be able to prove that by finishing a tough RFA vet, who is on a roll fighting out of Tennessee. Being able to fight in Lincoln will allow a lot of my fans, friends, and family to make the short trip and liven up the Pinnacle Bank Arena. I can’t wait to finish this fight with the crowd roaring live on AXS TV.”

Traveling into enemy territory to lock horns with Roberts will be one of the more affable and entertaining fighters in the sport. That would be none other than Adam “Prime Time” Townsend (13-3), who will be dropping down to featherweight for this fight. The high-octane Tennessean made his RFA debut at lightweight in May, as a part of the RFA team that defeated a team of Legacy fighters in the historic promotion vs. promotion event that took place in Robinsonville, Mississippi. The flamboyant Townsend, now looks to reassert himself against his fellow RFA fighters.

“I’m excited about coming to someone else’s hometown and whooping them in front of their fans,” Townsend exclaimed. “Honestly, I’m too big and fast for him. I’m easily the best fighter he has ever faced. I’m surprised he even accepted the fight. He’s probably going to back out of the fight once he starts watching tape on me.”
The feature fight at RFA 30 will mark the return of one of Smith’s lifelong friends from Nebraska City. That would be Darrick Minner, who will be making his fifth appearance inside the RFA octagon. Minner has gotten his hand raised in three RFA fights, which includes a win over Marvin Blumer at RFA 24 this past March. That win was a dominant career-defining moment in the young fighter’s career that has many wondering how far he can ascend in this sport. The man eager to test Minner’s potential is a man who has been making his own star glow brighter by defeating highly-touted prospects in his first two RFA fights. That would be Matt Brown (10-4), who has a fighting style eerily reminiscent to the UFC welterweight star who shares the same name.
Also scheduled to return to the RFA octagon on the main card of RFA 30 are former RFA lightweight title challenger Zach Juusola (10-3), four-time RFA vet Dan Moret (8-2), and former University of Nebraska wrestler James Nakashima (3-0). Juusola will face Nebraska native Robert Rojas (10-4) at lightweight, Moret welcomes undefeated Grand Dawson (7-0) at featherweight, and Nakashima will tussle with fellow undefeated welterweight prospect Chance Recountre (7-0).
The RFA 30 preliminary card and further information regarding this event will be announced soon. RFA 30 will be the promotion’s sixth event to take place in Nebraska since its inception in 2011. The entire main card of RFA 30 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, September 18th.
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
Fight Network, RFA

Fight Network Presents RFA 29: USA vs. Brazil  LIVE this Friday, Aug. 21 at 10 p.m. ET

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
TORONTO (Aug. 19, 2015) — Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a live broadcast of RFA 29: USA vs. Brazil tonight at 10 p.m. ET, pitting top American prospects against top Brazilian prospects with current UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler and former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida serving as honorary coaches.
Fight Network’s live broadcast of RFA 29: USA vs. Brazil will air nationwide in Canada and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The domestic U.S. broadcast airs on AXS TV.
Emanating from the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, RFA 29 will be headlined by an RFA featherweight title fight between top contenders Ricky Musgrave (14-4) and Raoni Barcelos (8-1).
“RFA 29 will have a USA vs. Brazil team concept that will feature some of the top MMA prospects from each country,” stated RFA president Ed Soares. “Robbie Lawler and Lyoto Machida will be the honorary coaches for each team. In the main event, Ricky Musgrave and Raoni Barcelos will also be competing for the vacant RFA featherweight title. This entire card is stacked and I can’t wait to see what happens.”
In the co-main event, South Dakota’s own Jordon Larson (6-1) will be tasked with facing Brazilian juggernaut Ackson Junior (5-0).
RFA 29 will also feature a trio of exciting bantamweight bouts, as Terrion Ware (13-4) meetsLeandro Higo (14-2), Joey Miolla (5-1) faces Pedro Falcao (6-1) and Matthew Lopez (5-0) risks his unblemished record against Kevin Clark (4-1). Rounding out the main card is a light heavyweight showdown between undefeated Devin Clark (4-0) and Dervin Lopez (7-2).
For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.
For More Information Contact:
 
Fight Network
Chad Midgley
VP, Content
chad@fightnetwork.com
www.fightnetwork.com
 
Fight Network
Ariel Shnerer
Director, Programming & Communications
ariel@fightnetwork.com
www.fightnetwork.com
mixed martial arts, RFA

Fight Network Presents RFA 28: Sanchez vs. Poppie, LIVE this Friday, Aug. 7 at 10 p.m. ET

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TORONTO (Aug. 6, 2015)– Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents a live broadcast of RFA 28: Sanchez vs. Poppie thisFriday, August 7 at 10 p.m. ET, highlighted by the crowning of a new RFA middleweight champion when the promotion makes its first trip to St. Louis.

 

Fight Network’s live broadcast of RFA 28: Sanchez vs. Poppie will air nationwide in Canada and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The domestic U.S. broadcast airs on AXS TV.

In the main event, two hungry middleweight prospects vie for championship gold as RFA fan favorite Andrew Sanchez looks to defend his home turf against Wisconsin native John Poppie.

 

“I’m excited to be bringing the RFA to the great city of St. Louis,” said RFA president Ed Soares. “Andrew Sanchez and John Poppie will be fighting for the vacant RFA middleweight title in a headliner that will cap a great night of fights at The Chase Park Plaza.”

 

Sanchez (6-2) is a lifelong native of the Greater St. Louis Metro Area. His reputation in the area grew in college, when he became a star wrestler at McKendree University. While wrestling for the Bearcats, Sanchez became one of the most decorated grapplers in school history. He is a two-time NAIA national champion, four-time NAIA All-American, and the 2011 NAIA Wrestler of the Year.

 

Poppie (6-1) is looking to crash Sanchez’s long-awaited homecoming party in his first nationally televised title fight. The former light-heavyweight was a cast member on the nineteenth season of the UFC’s hit reality show The Ultimate Fighter, but learned from that experience that he is better suited competing at 185-pounds. The lone loss on Poppie’s record also came against one of his current training partners Eric Schafer, who had already competed nine-times in the UFC before they fought. Poppie was also a collegiate wrestler at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and feels his skill set and experience has him ready for this fight.

 

The co-main event of RFA 28 will feature two of MMA’s top flyweight prospects, when Wyoming’s Matt Manzanares (7-5) returns to the RFA octagon to battle St. Louis native Ken “The Sensation” Porter (8-2).

 

RFA 28 also features the debut of undefeated Landon Vannata (6-0), who faces one of Missouri’s top featherweight propsects in Nick LoBosco (8-1), plus Curtis “Razor” Blaydes (4-0) makes his highly anticipated RFA debut against dangerous vet Justin “The Grizzly Bear” Frazier (7-2)

 

Rounding out the exciting card, undefeated Brazilian lightweight Thiago Henrique Moises (5-0) tangles with Missouri’s own Javon Wright (6-3), while undefeated lightweight Jake “The North County Nightmare” Roberts (4-0) faces once-beaten Kansas native Chuka “The Lion King” Willis(4-1).

 

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.
mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA RETURNS TO THE CORNHUSKER STATE

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RFA 30 at the Pinnacle Bank Arena
in Lincoln, Nebraska


FEATURING:
Nebraska MMA Stars
Anthony Smith, Ryan Roberts, and
Darrick Minner


PLUS:
James Nakashima and Kevin Gray
 
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH LIVE ON AXSTV
LIVE at The Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD 
 
Tickets on Sale Friday July 31st at Ticketmaster.com 
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will return home to its roots in Nebraska with RFA 30 in September. The promotion hosted its first show in the “Cornhusker State” in December 2011 and has since promoted MMA events in 13 states across 3 time zones. RFA 30 will take place Friday, September 18th inside the state-of-the-art Pinnacle Bank Arena located in the state’s capital city of Lincoln, Nebraska. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

“RFA started in Nebraska and a lot of our history happened in the great “Cornhusker State”, stated Saores. “I’m happy to announce that we will be bringing the promotion back to its birthplace with RFA 30.”
Tickets for RFA 30 are available for purchase on Friday, July 31st through Ticketmaster.com. You can also support your favorite fighter buy purchasing your tickets through CageTix.com.
Scheduled to fight at RFA 30 in the RFA’s highly-anticipated return to Nebraska are three of the state’s biggest MMA stars. Anthony “Lionheart” Smith (22-11), Ryan Roberts (20-10-1), and Darrick Minner (13-4) are all slated to compete on the main card. Smith and Roberts, who are both veterans of the UFC, will be making their RFA debut in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, Minner is a longtime RFA fan favorite. This will be his fifth appearance for the promotion.
Also scheduled to return to the “Cornhusker State” is former University of Nebraska wrestler James Nakashima. The Cornhusker wrestling standout was a main training partner of 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs during their time on the wrestling mats in Lincoln. Nakashima now trains at The MMA LAB in Glendale, Arizona and is widely-considered one of the most promising welterweight prospects in the sport. He will be competing for the RFA for a third time this year just like Nebraska based flyweight prospect Kevin “Pocket Herc” Gray. This will be the fourth overall appearance for Gray in the RFA.
The RFA 30 fight card, bout announcements, and further information regarding this event will be announced soon. RFA 30 will be the promotion’s sixth event to take place in Nebraska since its inception in 2011. The entire main card of RFA 30 will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, September 18th.
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents live events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 43 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).

About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA 29 – USA vs. BRAZIL 

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 MAIN EVENT:

RICKY MUSGRAVE vs. RAONI BARCELOS
FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE

 CO-MAIN EVENT:
JORDON LARSON vs. ACKSON JUNIOR
 ALSO FEATURING:
JOCELYN JONES-LYBARGER vs. KINBERLY NOVAES

HONORARY COACHES:
 ROBBIE LAWLER vs. LYOTO MACHIDA
FRIDAY, AUGUST 21st LIVE ON AXSTV
LIVE at The Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD 
 
Tickets on Sale through Ticketmaster.com 
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that RFA 29 will feature a team battle pitting top American prospects against top Brazilian prospects, when the MMA promotion returns to South Dakota next month. The honorary coaches will be current UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler (Team USA) and former UFC light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (Team Brazil). RFA 29 will be headlined with an RFA featherweight title fight between top-contenders Ricky Musgrave and Raoni Barcelos. The event takes place Friday, August 21st at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.

“RFA 29 will have a USA vs. Brazil team concept that will feature some of the top MMA prospects from each country,” stated Soares. “Robbie Lawler and Lyoto Machida will be the honorary coaches for each team. In the main event, Ricky Musgrave and Raoni Barcelos will also be competing for the vacant RFA featherweight title. This entire card is stacked and I can’t wait to see what happens at RFA 29 on Friday, August 21st.”
Tickets for RFA 29 – USA vs. Brazil are available for purchase NOW through Ticketmaster.com. You can also support your favorite fighter buy purchasing your tickets through CageTix.com.
Musgrave (14-4) is riding a considerable wave of momentum coming into this title fight. In his most recent outing, “The Spazmanian Devil” scored a dominant first round TKO win over four-time UFC vet and jiu-jitsu black belt Alvin Robinson at RFA 22 in January. The win took place in Musgrave’s hometown of Colorado Springs, Colorado and extended his winning streak to four fights in a row. The former U.S. Army Ranger has won six of seven fights over the last two and a half years and he is eager to bring home a title that he has had his eyes on for awhile.
“I’ve asked for it, I’ve waited for it, and now it’s finally here,” Musgrave said about his RFA title shot. “Everyone at Pariah MMA in Colorado Springs is excited about this and our gym is about to be put on the map. Barcelos is a tough kid, very aggressive, and a worthy opponent. I’m excited to get in there and fight.”
Barcelos (8-1) also returns to the RFA octagon fresh off a scintillating first round finish. The win came via KO over the previously undefeated NCAA Division I All-American wrestler Jamal Parks at RFA 23 in February. The bout was the Brazilian dynamo’s third for the promotion and he was able to showcase his well-rounded skill set in devastating fashion. On top of his tremendous KO power, Barcelos is a world class jiu-jitsu black belt that began training “the gentle art” with his father, black-and-red belt Laerte Barcelos, when he was just two-years old. The Nova União standout now looks to add the RFA featherweight title to his lengthy list of athletic accomplishments.
“I am very happy to fight for the RFA world title,” stated Barcelos. “RFA is an event that has been showing a lot of talent for the world to see. I’m sure with this fight I will have the opportunity to be recognized for my work. It’s a dream come true and an honor to be a champion of a great event like the RFA.”
The co-main event of RFA 29 will feature two welterweight MMA prospects, who are quickly rising the ranks of a historically deep division. The first is one of the most beloved fighters in the state of South Dakota. That would be none other than Jordon Larson (6-1), who was born and raised in Sioux Falls, but currently trains out of Power MMA in Gilbert, Arizona. Larson has been the recipient of two of the loudest ovations in RFA history and will be looking for his third onAugust 21st. He will be tasked with facing Brazilian juggernaut Ackson Junior (5-0), who trains out of the famed X-Gym in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “Tank Russo” has been sensational fighting inside of his home continent of South America. He has stopped all five men he has faced with only one of those bouts lasting more than one round.

RFA 29 will also feature the biggest and most important women’s MMA bout to ever take place in the state of South Dakota. RFA fan favorite Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger (5-1) will be the female representative for Team USA. Jones-Lybarger has won all three of her fights in the RFA since making her debut for the promotion in 2014. The MMA LAB standout will be looking for her fourth win in the fourth different state she has fought in for the promotion. She has been given a tough assignment, which will see her clash with the highly-regarded Brazilian strawweight Kinberly Novaes (8-2). Novaes is a dynamic striker that trains under UFC and PRIDE vet Cristiano Marcello at CM System in Curitiba, Brazil. Noaves is perhaps best known for scoring a second round TKO victory over top-ranked UFC bantamweight Jessica Andrade in just her third professional fight.

Additional bouts at RFA 29 – USA vs. Brazil will be announced soon. RFA 29 will be the promotion’s third event to take place in “The Mount Rushmore State” of South Dakota since the state sanctioned MMA last summer. The entire main card of RFA 29 – USA vs. Brazil will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, August 21st.

Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents live events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 43 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).

About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA 28 GETS A NEW CO-HEADLINER  AS GEANE HERRERA HEADS TO THE UFC

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RFA 28 – SANCHEZ vs. POPPIE
MAIN EVENT:
ANDREW SANCHEZ vs. JOHN POPPIE
MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE
CO-MAIN EVENT:
MATT MANZANARES vs. KEN PORTER
FLYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7th LIVE ON AXSTV
LIVE at The Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, MO
 
Tickets on Sale through MetroTix.com
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that RFA 28 will feature a new co-main event after Geane “La Pulga” Herrera got called up to compete in the UFC. Replacing the undefeated Herrera will be former RFA flyweight champion Matt Manzanares, who will be making his record-tying seventh appearance for the promotion. He will face St. Louis’ own Ken Porter, who is a rising flyweight MMA prospect and an undefeated professional boxer. The main event of RFA 28 will feature RFA fan favorite Andrew Sanchez and The Ultimate Fighter alum John Poppie vying for the vacant RFA middleweight title. The event takes place Friday, August 7th at The Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis, Missouri. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
“I am excited to see Geane Herrera represent what the RFA is all about by extending his undefeated record in the UFC,” stated Soares. “The co-main event of RFA 28 will now feature the return of former RFA flyweight champion Matt Manzanares against fellow boxer-turned-MMA fighter Ken Porter.
Tickets for RFA 28 – Sanchez vs. Poppie are available for purchase NOW through MetroTix.com.
Manzanares (7-5) returns to the RFA for a record-tying seventh appearance for the promotion. In his time as a professional fighter, the former RFA flyweight champion has faced and accepted bouts with the who’s who of his division and will be looking to take full advantage of that experience. The two-time Junior Olympian boxer possesses some of the slickest hands in the sport, but those skills will be tested to the fullest against Porter who is 4-0 as a professional boxer. Manzanares and Porter also bring with them nearly 300 combined amateur boxing matches, which could make this one of the best flyweight striking displays in MMA this year.
“This is the most motivated I’ve been for a fight in a very long time,” Manzanares exclaimed. “I think Ken Porter is a great fighter and has a lot going for him, but it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I’m looking forward to getting my hand raised and putting my name back at the top of the division.”
Porter (8-2, 1 No Contest) will be the man tasked with welcoming back the hungry former champion and he looks forward to doing it in front of his excited home crowd. The proud St. Louisan is perhaps the only flyweight in MMA that can match Manzanares’ experience in amateur MMA and amateur boxing. He has also lived up to his nickname “The Sensation” since making his professional boxing debut in May 2014. In that time, he has been sensational in combat sports by going 4-0 in professional boxing and 4-0 in professional MMA. Porter is now eager to extend that streak at RFA 28.
“I feel like Manzanares poses a much bigger challenge than Herrera,” stated Porter. “He brings a lot more to the table and has fought much tougher guys. I’ve been working really hard for this fight and look forward to making a big statement in my national television debut for the RFA.”
The main event of RFA 28 will feature two of MMA’s top middleweight prospects, when RFA fan favorite Andrew Sanchez (6-2) returns home to St. Louis to battle Wisconsin native John Poppie (6-1) for the vacant RFA middleweight title. Sanchez was a two-time NAIA national champion, four-time NAIA All-American, and the 2011 NAIA Wrestler of the Year while attending St. Louis area school McKendree University. He will face Poppie (6-1), who was a light-heavyweight cast member on the nineteenth season of the UFC’s hit reality television show The Ultimate Fighter. Now competing at his natural weight class of 185-pounds, Poppie will look to extend his four-fight win streak. Poppie also has a collegiate wrestling background from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.
RFA 28 also features the return of Bobby “The Wolfman” Moffett (7-1). The fearsome featherweight will look to follow up his dominant RFA debut in March with another howling triumph in his sophomore appearance for the promotion. He will face one of Missouri’s top featherweight prospects in Nick LoBosco (8-1). LoBosco has never lost in his home state and the collegiate wrestler will be looking to keep that record intact when he fights in front of his home crowd on August 7th.
The main card of RFA 28 will also feature the highly-anticipated RFA debut of Curtis “Razor” Blaydes (4-0). Blaydes was an NJCAA national wrestling champion at Harper College and is widely considered one of the top heavyweight prospects in the sport. He will have a stiff test in his promotional debut as he faces a dangerous RFA vet in Justin “The Grizzly Bear” Frazier (7-2).  Frazier hails from “The Natural State” of Arkansas and has displayed a natural finishing ability, as all seven of his wins have come via stoppage.
In the featherweight division, Jamal Parks (5-1) returns to the RFA Octagon for the second time. The former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler from Oklahoma State University will face promotional newcomer Javon Wright (6-3). Wright has not lost a fight in two years dating back to a hotly-contested split decision verdict he dropped to current RFA bantamweight kingpin Luke Sanders.
In lightweight action, Turkey’s first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Murat “Lord Pitbull” Kazgan (2-0-1) will be making his highly-anticipated RFA debut. Kazgan, who has already fought in Turkey, South Korea, and Russia, is looking to remain unbeaten in his North American debut. He will face two-time Golden Gloves winner Jake “The North County Nightmare” Roberts (4-0). The St. Louis native Roberts, who has recently joined The MMA LAB in Glendale, Arizona, is currently riding an impressive streak. Roberts has submitted all 12 men he has faced in MMA: 8 as an amateur and 4 as a professional.
Additional bouts at RFA 28 will be announced soon. RFA 28 will be the promotion’s second event to take place in the state of Missouri and its first foray into the city of St. Louis. The entire main card of RFA 28 – Sanchez vs. Poppie will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, August 7th.
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents live events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 43 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).
About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
mixed martial arts, RFA, World Series of Fighting

Fight Network Presents RFA 26 LIVE, WSOF 21  Friday, June 5 Starting at 10 p.m. ET

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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

TORONTO (June 4, 2015 — Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, presents back-to-back world-class championship mixed martial arts broadcasts this Friday, June 5, beginning at 10 p.m. with a live presentation of RFA 26: Smith vs. Smith from 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado.

 

Immediately following the live broadcast, Fight Network will present WSOF 21: Palmer vs. Horodecki in its entirety from Edmonton Expo Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

 

Fight Network will televise both cards exclusively in Canada, and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

Airing live at 10 p.m. ET, RFA 26 will be headlined by a welterweight title bout as RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith (14-2) puts his title on the line against No. 1 contender Gilbert Smith(10-4). In the co-main event, Brazilian submission ace Thiago “Monstinho” Alves (8-2) battles Colorado’s own Marcus “Bad Intentions” Edwards (9-3). The main card will also feature a pair of bantamweights bouts, as NCAA Division I wrestler Jarred “Shutout” Mercado (12-2) will lock horns with jiu-jitsu black belt Bruno Frazatto (6-2), while Hawaiian knockout artist Boston “Boom Boom” Salmon (3-0) will clash with collegiate wrestler Danny Mainus (3-3). Also on the main card, former RFA middleweight title challenger Andrew “El Dirte” Sanchez (5-2) squares off with Respect FC and SFFN champion Clinton Williams (5-1) and undefeated heavyweight prospect Brandon Griffin(4-0) battles The MMA Lab destroyer Ashley Gooch (7-4).

 

WSOF 21: Palmer vs. Horodecki features a championship doubleheader. In the main event, reigning WSOF featherweight champion Lance Palmer (9-1) will put his title on the line for the first time against Canadian challenger and battle-tested veteran Chris “The Polish Hammer” Horodecki (21-5-1), while the co-feature pits WSOF heavyweight champion Smealinho “The Prince” Ram aagainst Bulgarian standout Blagoi Ivanov (11-1). Two featherweight rising stars will put their unblemished records on the line when Hakeem Dawodu (4-0) meets Chuka “The Lion King” Willis(4-0), plus Mark “Sweet Dreams” Drummond (7-2) battles Michael “The Messenger” Hill in an all-Canadian welterweight clash.

 

The live action continues on Saturday, June 6, beginning at 9 a.m. ET with M-1 Challenge 58: Battle in the Mountains 4 from Ingushetia, Russia, featuring Marcelo Brito (13-6) vs. Murad Abdulaev(14-3) for the M-1 welterweight title, plus Lee Morrison (12-5) faces Pavel Vitruk (12-1) in featherweight action, and heavyweights Alexei Kudin (19-8) and Denis Smoldarev (10-1) will throw down. Fight Network’s live broadcast of M-1 Challenge 58 will air on Cablevision’s Optimum TV, Grande Communications, Shentel Cable and Armstrong Cable in the U.S., nationwide in Canada, Roku devices across North America, and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

Later, Fight Network will televise the live prelims for UFC Fight Night: Boetsch vs. Henderson exclusively in Canada from 8 p.m. ET to 10 p.m. ET. The prelims will feature an explosive heavyweight clash between heavy-handed Texan Shawn Jordan (17-6) and New Orleans’ own knockout artist Derrick Lewis (12-3, 1NC), a welterweight matchup pitting 69-fight veteran Brian Ebersole (51-16-1, 1NC) against Dagestani prospect Omari Akhmedov (14-2), a lightweight bout between New Yorker Chris Wade (9-1) and Californian Christos Giagos (11-3), plus Massachusetts native Joe Proctor(10-3) faces Ohio native Justin Edwards (9-4) in a lightweight showcase of Ultimate Fighter veterans.

 

Live pre-fight coverage will lead into the prelims on Saturday evening with Fight Network’s UFC Pre-Show Live at 7 p.m. ET, featuring previews, predictions and analysis.

 

For a full listing of Fight Network’s broadcast schedule, please visit tv.fightnetwork.com, follow us on Twitter @fightnet, become a fan on Facebook and visit us on Instagram @fightnet.
mixed martial arts, RFA

INCA KOLA to unveil custom ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPER at RFA 26

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INCA KOLA to unveil custom ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPER
Friday, June 5th at RFA 26
in Broomfield, Colorado
WinThisChopper.com sweepstakes to support
Easter Seals New York’s Veterans Count
 
LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) and Inca Kola USA announced today that the debut of an Orange County Choppers (OCC) custom-built motorcycle designed for Inca Kola will debut at RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith this Friday, June 5th. The chopper will be the awarded to a lucky winner entered in Inca Kola’s sweepstakes WinThisChopper.com. The proceeds from the sweepstakes will benefit Easter Seals New York’s Veterans Count and educational programs.

RFA president Ed Soares shared his thoughts on the promotion.
“RFA is proud to have had such a long relationship with Inca Kola,” stated Soares. “We are honored to host the debut of Orange County Choppers custom-built Inca Kola motorcycle at RFA 26 in Colorado. The WinThisChopper.com sweepstakes is a great way to raise awareness and funds for Easter Seals New York’s Veterans Count and educational programs.”
Orange County Choppers co-founder Paul Teutul, Sr. shared similar sentiments.
“The entire team at Orange County Choppers is honored to be working with Inca Kola to raise awareness and donations for Easter Seals and Veterans Count,” stated Paul Teutul Sr.
Inca Kola has been a longtime sponsor of the RFA dating back to RFA 7 in March 2013, which took place at the same venue that Friday night’s festivities are set to take place. “The Golden Kola” has become a very prominent brand seen at live RFA events and nationwide through the RFA’s television deal with AXS TV. Inca Kola’s COO Randy Berman sees the WinThisChopper.com sweepstakes as a way to parlay Inca Kola and the RFA’s relationship and bring nationwide awareness to a great cause that will culminate this fall when a winner of the Orange County Choppers custom-built Inca Kola motorcycle is announced.
“We are really proud of our partnership with all of the vendors that have participated in this project including Orange County Choppers, Resurrection Fighting Alliance, and AXS TV,” Berman explained. “We are certain that their participation will make this promotion for Easter Seals Veterans Count a huge success.”

RFA 26 – Smith vs. Smith takes place this Friday, June 5th at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The main card will feature six professional fights televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
RFA 26 will be headlined by a welterweight title bout as RFA welterweight champion Benjamin Smith (14-2) puts his title on the line against RFA #1 welterweight contender Gilbert Smith (10-4). The main card will also feature a pair of bantamweight bouts. NCAA Division I wrestler Jarred “Shutout” Mercado (12-2) will lock horns with jiu-jitsu black belt Bruno Frazatto (6-2), while Hawaiian knockout artist Boston “Boom Boom” Salmon (3-0) will clash with collegiate wrestler Danny Mainus (3-3). Also on the main card, former RFA middleweight title challenger Andrew “El Dirte” Sanchez (5-2) squares off with Respect FC and SFFN middleweight champion Clinton Williams (5-1) and undefeated heavyweight prospect Brandon Griffin (4-0) battles The MMA Lab destroyer Ashley Gooch (7-4).
170 CHAMPIONSHIP:
Ben Smith vs Gilbert Smith
155 CO-MAIN EVENT:
Thiago Alves vs Marcus Edwards
135 Feature Bout:
Jarred Mercado vs Bruno Frazzato
265 Feature Bout:
Brandon Griffin vs Ashley Gooch
185 Feature Bout:
Andrew Sanchez vs Clinton Williams
135 Feature Bout:
Boston Salmon vs Danny Mainus
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents live events on a monthly basis around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 43 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).
About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. “The Voice” Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.

mixed martial arts, RFA

RFA BRINGS FIRST NATIONALLY TELEVISED MMA EVENT TO IDAHO

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RFA 27 IN BOISE,IDAHO
FRIDAY JULY 3RD LIVE ON AXS TV
MAIN EVENT:
JOE MURPHY vs JESSE BROCK
CO-MAIN EVENT:
CZAR SKLAVOS vs NICK BURGOS
Tickets on Sale now at

CenturyLinkArenaBoise.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) president Ed Soares announced today that the promotion will be bringing the first nationally televised MMA event to the state of Idaho. RFA 27 – Murphy vs. Brock will feature a main event pitting a rising prospect against asurging vet. RFA fan favorite Joe Murphy returns to face the powerhouse Jesse Brock, who is one of the most accomplished MMA fighters to call Idaho home. The event takes place Friday, July 3rd at the CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho. The entire main card will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
“I’m excited to bring the first nationally televised MMA event to Idaho,” stated Soares. “Joe Murphy vs. Jesse Brock is a classic match-up of jiu-jitsu vs. wrestling, but more importantly it’s a clash between a promising prospect and a surging vet. That really makes you appreciate the gravity of this main event in what will be the crown jewel MMA event to take place in the Gem State.”
Eric Trapp, the president of CenturyLink Arena, also expressed his excitement about hosting Idaho’s first nationally televised MMA event.
“We’re excited to help bring such a great event to the state of Idaho and showcase not only our arena, but also our fighters to a nationwide audience on July 3rd,” stated Trapp. “The RFA brand is one of the best out there and CenturyLink Arena is proud to host this event.”
Tickets for RFA 27 – Murphy vs. Brock are available for purchase NOW through CenturyLinkArenaBoise.com.
Murphy (8-2) returns to the RFA octagon after two memorable performances in the RFA octagon within a 9 week span. Murphy made his long-awaited RFA debut this past December in the co-main event of RFA 21 to much fanfare. He more than lived up to expectations with a scintillating first round TKO victory over the highly-touted Bruno Frazatto. 9 weeks later, Murphy headlined RFA 23 against Terrion Ware in what many have pegged as a “Fight of the Year” contender. Murphy is now looking forward to a new challenge as he travels to his next opponent’s hometown.
“Jiu-Jitsu vs. Wrestling is an endless debate. I’m excited to see how I match up against someone with Jesse Brock’s credentials,” said Murphy. “Hopefully, he sells out the arena on July 3rd, so I get boo’d on my way to the cage. I’m pretty damn good at turning those boos into cheers by the time it’s over.”
Brock (20-8) enters this fight as one of the most experienced bantamweight fighters in RFA history. Brock will be making his RFA debut 9 years after he made his professional MMA debut. The former Boise State wrestling standout has since competed on three continents against some of the biggest names in the sport, which includes bouts against current UFC flyweight champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, #3 ranked UFC lightweight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, and former UFC lightweight title challenger Caol Uno. Brock is currently riding the momentum of a four-fight win streak and is looking forward to parlaying that momentum into the main event of RFA 27.
“This fight is definitely a big deal for me and the entire MMA community in Idaho,” stated Brock. “I feel honored that the RFA picked me to spearhead Idaho’s first nationally televised MMA event. I can’t wait to perform in front of my friends and family at RFA 27.”
The co-main event of RFA 27 will feature two of the sport’s most promising flyweight prospects, when Idaho’s own Czar Sklavos (11-4) battles Jeremy Horn protégé Nick Burgos (9-3). Sklavos, who hails from Twin Falls, Idaho, has secured 9 of his 11 wins via submission and has never been finished in a career dating back to March 2010. In his pro debut, he happened to go the distance with current UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw. More recently, Sklavos advanced to the finals of the Vale Tudo Japan flyweight tournament last fall and is eager to test his experience against the talented and red-hot Burgos. Six consecutive opponents over the past two and a half years have been defeated by the Utah based flyweight, but Burgos’ marquee victory came in his most recent bout. That win came over former RFA flyweight champion Matt Manzanares via Unanimous Decision in March.
The feature fight of RFA 27 will be a battle of two explosive heavyweights, who are hungry to make a statement. Jan Jorgensen (7-1) and Dale Sopi (6-1) are a combined 13-0 outside the RFA and are eager to make some noise in the talented RFA heavyweight division. Jorgensen, who was a football star at BYU before transitioning to MMA, trains at The Pit Elevated in Orem, Utah alongside UFC star and TUF 11 champion Court McGee. His opponent Sopi is a native of Nanakuli, Hawaii and trains at Power MMA in Gilbert, Arizona alongside UFC star and TUF 8 champion Ryan Bader. Additional bouts at RFA 27 will be announced soon. RFA 27 will be the promotion’s first event to take place in the “Gem State” of Idaho, which will be the 13th state the RFA has held an event. The entire main card of RFA 27 – Murphy vs. Brock will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Friday, July 3rd.
Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.