Tag Archives: Smealinho Rama

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING KICKS OFF “WHO’S THE TOUGHEST?” WITH FOUR MILITARY VETERANS DOING BATTLE IN LOVELAND, COLORADO ON SATURDAY, NOV. 12

 

Plus: Kevin Sears replaces injured Josh Copeland against Smealinho Rama in heavyweight action

Tickets for WSOF34 on sale now

 

LAS VEGAS (October 10, 2016) – World Series of Fighting (www.WSOF.com) announced that it has tabbed four military veterans for action in three different bouts, including one that will air on its live NBCSN telecast (10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT), to kick off it’s “Who’s The Toughest?” program at WSOF34: Foster vs. Shields, at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo. on Saturday, Nov. 12.

The league also announced that Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-4) has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled heavyweight matchup with former world champion Smealinho “The Prince” Rama (9-2) due to a knee injury.  Rama will now face Kevin Sears (4-2).

“We are extremely excited to launch the ‘Who’s The Toughest?’ program with a group of four professional fighters that have served our country valiantly, and who have since been looking for a potentially career-changing opportunity to compete on a major stage,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

World Series of Fighting announced in May that it would be launching “Who’s The Toughest?” in order to provide military veterans who are active or aspiring MMA fighters, with the opportunity to compete under its promotion.

Leading off the live NBCSN telecast of WSOF34, Shane Kruchten (11-4) and Jeremy Mahon (5-4) – both U.S. Marine Corps veterans – will do battle in a 150-pound catchweight contest.

In a light heavyweight (205 pounds) matchup that will headline the WSOF34 preliminary bout card, U.S. Marine Corps veteran Brandon Collins (3-2) will collide with Chris Morgan (0-0), who will make his professional debut.

The fourth veteran, former U.S. Army ranger Nicoli Navarro (3-1), will square off with unbeaten upstart Alan Gutierrez (2-0) at lightweight (155 pounds).

Shane Kruchten vs. Jeremy Mahon

The 6-foot-1, 32-year-old Kruchten of San Diego, Calif. saw action in the Iraq War in 2003 and 2004, and was subsequently awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and a Combat Action Ribbon for his efforts in battle before retiring from the military with the rank of Lance Corporal.

Since turning professional in 2007, Kruchten has donated a portion of each of his fight purses to the Mighty Oaks Warrior Foundation, a California-based retreat for veterans run by fellow U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former World Series of Fighting competitor Chad Robichaux.

Kruchten’s start will bring an end to a two-and-a-half-year hiatus that he took following a loss to Mike Corey by way of second round (2:59) submission (rear-naked choke) in what was Kruchten’s World Series of Fighting debut.  Prior to the defeat, Kruchten had reeled off 11 consecutive victories, 6 via submission and 3 via (T)KO.

The 5-foot-10, 37-year-old Mahon of Houston, Texas was deployed to Iraq during the initial invasion of the country in 2003, and later served as a security contractor in Fallujah, working to procure the safety of civilians there.

Before retiring as a Sergeant, Mahon earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal as well as a Presidential Unit Citation.  He runs a non-profit organization, DAWG Foundation, which trains dogs and offers them to veterans in need of everyday assistance.

Mahon is looking to notch his third straight victory following a second round (4:22) TKO (punches) of Davis Sylvester at Bellator 149 on February 19.

Brandon Collins vs. Chris Morgan

The 6-foot-1, 32-year-old Collins of Houston, Texas was also a recipient of a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during his eight-year stint (2004-2012) with the Marine Corps that saw him tour Afghanistan where he was a special operations officer and his unit’s martial arts instructor.

Collins was a member of his North Carolina base’s boxing team and, after relocating to California, he quickly transitioned to MMA.

Morgan, a 6-foot-3, 28-year-old resident of Denver, Colo. will make his first professional start after a three-year amateur career that saw him compile an overall record of 5-2.  All 5 of his victories came inside the first round of action via (T)KO or submission.

Nicholi Navarro vs. Alan Gutierrez

The 6-foot, 30-year-old Navarro of Denver served in the Army’s 75th Ranger Regimen, a special operations unit, between 2004 and 2008, eventually reaching the rank of Corporal.

During his four-year tenure in the military, Navarro earned a Combat Infantry Badge, an Expert Infantry Badge and a Parachutist Badge.

Navarro is a student of retired, former Muay Thai world champion and UFC star Duane “Bang” Ludwig.  All three of Navarro’s professional victories to date have come by way of (T)KO or submission.

While not a veteran, the 5-foot-11, 23-year-old Gutierrez of Skagit Valley, Wash. was born into and raised by a family of Marines, with his father, mother and brother all having served.  Gutierrez dedicates each of his fights to his recently deceased brother.

Gutierrez made quick work of each of his first two professional opponents, to date, submitting Ryan Schecterson with a brabo choke in the first round (2:00) of action in Gutierrez’s professional debut on May 9, 2015, and scoring a first round (1:11) KO (punches) on Taylor Roberts on February 27.

Priced from $20, tickets for “WSOF34: Fitch vs. Shields” are on sale at the Budweiser Events Center box office, BudweiserEventsCenter.com, and by phone at 1-877-544-TIXX.

In the main event of WSOF34, reigning world welterweight (170 pounds) champion Jon Fitch (28-7-1, 1 NC) will collide with number one contender and fellow decorated superstar Jake Shields (31-8-1).

In the welterweight co-main event, Paul Bradley (23-6), will make his promotional debut for World Series of Fighting and take on former top 10 world-ranked Yushin “Thunder” Okami (32-10).

Additional matchups for “WSOF34: Fitch vs. Shields” will be announced soon.

WORLD SERIES OF FIGHTING: JON FITCH-JAKE SHIELDS WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWDOWN SET FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12 IN LOVELAND, COLORADO LIVE ON NBCSN

Plus:
Josh Copeland vs. Smealinho Rama in heavyweight battle 
Paul Bradley vs. Yushin Okami in welterweight collision

Tickets for WSOF34 on sale Friday, Sept. 16

LAS VEGAS (September 13, 2016) – World Series of Fighting (www.WSOF.com) officially announced today the highly-anticipated welterweight (170 pounds) title fight between reigning world champion Jon Fitch (28-7-1, 1 NC) and number one contender and fellow decorated superstar Jake Shields (31-8-1) for Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland, Colo., live on NBCSN at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

Priced from $20, tickets for “WSOF34: Fitch vs. Shields” go on sale on Friday, Sept. 16 at the Budweiser Events Center box office, BudweiserEventsCenter.com, or by phone at 1-877-544-TIXX.

“This is a fight between two of the sport’s most seasoned and accomplished competitors, and a matchup that has been building for quite some time, so we are excited to see it finally come to fruition in the decagon cage, and to crown the better man that night, our world welterweight champion,” said World Series of Fighting President Ray Sefo.

In addition to the main event, World Series of Fighting announced a featured heavyweight attraction pitting Josh “Cuddly Bear” Copeland (13-4) against former champion Smealinho “The Prince” Rama (9-2), as well as the promotional debut of battle-tested Paul Bradley (23-6), who will take on former top 10 world-ranked Yushin “Thunder” Okami (32-10) in a welterweight affair.

Additional matchups for “WSOF34: Fitch vs. Shields” will be announced soon.

Jon Fitch vs. Jake Shields

The 6-foot, 38-year-old Fitch of Las Vegas, Nev. via Fort Wayne, Ind. will put his title on the line for the second time since seizing the vacant belt on October 17, 2015, when he earned a unanimous decision over Yushin Okami.

Fitch, who has faced and defeated some of the best rival welterweight fighters of his era to cement his legacy in the sport, risked his World Series of Fighting title for the first time on April 2, defeating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Joao Zeferino by way of unanimous decision.

Fighting out of San Francisco, Calif., the 6-foot, 37-year-old Shields will seek his fourth major world championship.  The Cesar Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt held both the Shooto and EliteXC welterweight straps as well as the Strikeforce middleweight crown.

Like Fitch, Shields has provided fight fans with a host of memories, including his unforgettable, upset unanimous decision defeat of future Hall of FamerDan Henderson on April 17, 2010.  Shields also boasts a split decision win over reigning UFC champion Tyron Woodley as well as a split decision victory over UFC superstar Demian Maia.

Josh Copeland vs. Smealinho Rama

The 6-foot-1, 33-year-old Copeland is coming off what was perhaps the grittiest performance of his four-year professional career in his bid for the World Series of Fighting heavyweight title against reigning champion Blagoy Ivanov.  Copeland stood toe-to-toe and held his own against the Sambo champion, but was left on the losing end of a unanimous decision after five competitive rounds of action.

Copeland, who has notched 7 of his 12 professional victories by way of (T)KO or submission, earned his place in the world title fight by taking a unanimous decision from Mike “300” Hayes at WSOF29 on March 12.

The 6-foot-1, 24-year-old Rama of Calgary, Alberta, Canada made history on October 11, 2014, becoming the first-ever World Series of Fighting heavyweight champion by scoring a devastating, 51-second TKO (punches) on Derrick “Caveman” Mehman at WSOF14.

Rama, who also holds a unanimous decision win over Steve Mocco in the World Series of Fighting decagon cage, surrendered the heavyweight title after being submitted (guillotine choke) by Ivanov in the third round (1:17) of their bout on June 5, 2015.

Paul Bradley vs. Yushin Okami

One of World Series of Fighting’s recent, high-profile acquisitions, the 5-foot-9, 33-year-old Bradley of San Diego, Calif. signed with the league after decimating previously unbeaten Chris Honeycutt by way of TKO (punches) in just 40 seconds in the Bellator MMA cage on January 29, 2016.

A former, two-time All-American wrestling star for NCAA Division I University of Iowa, Bradley placed as high as fourth in the national championships before turning to MMA in 2006 where he has since faced off with elite competition in the UFC and Strikeforce.

Similar to his opponent, the 6-foot-2, 35-year-old Okami of Kanagawa, Japan has scrapped with top-level, world ranked competition to earn his place in the decagon cage.

Since the loss to Fitch, Okami, a veteran of the UFC as well as PRIDE, has since reeled off two consecutive victories in his home country – a second round (4:23) TKO (corner stoppage) of Ryuta Sakurai in Tokyo on February 27, and a first round (2:06) submission (rear-naked choke) of Shingo Suzukion July 24.

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

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.

Fight Network Signs Exclusive Multi-Year Programming Deal with World Series of Fighting 

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

TORONTO (June 3, 2015) – Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, today announced an exclusive multi-year programming agreement with Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts organization World Series of Fighting(WSOF.com) to broadcast live events and the existing archive in Canada, and globally in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

 

The deal kicks off this weekend with a short tape delay broadcast of WSOF 21: Palmer vs. Horodecki from Edmonton Expo Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Airing June 6 at Midnight ET, the event is headlined by WSOF featherweight champion Lance Palmer defending against Canada’s own Chris Horodecki, while WSOF heavyweight champion Smealinho Rama, another Canadian, defends the coveted title against Bulgarian powerhouse Blagoi Ivanov.

 

WSOF 21: Palmer vs. Horodecki will repeat on Saturday, June 6 at 4 p.m. ET and Sunday, June 7 at 2 p.m. ET.

 

WSOF is led by president Ray Sefo, a six-time world kickboxing champion and two-time Hall of Famer. The promotion has staged 20 events to date, featuring internationally renowned superstars such as Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson, David Branch, Rousimar Palhares, Jake Shields, Yushin Okami and Jon Fitch. .

 

WSOF has also spawned the careers of the next generation of MMA superstars, including reigning bantamweight champion Marlon Moraes, featherweight champion Palmer, undefeated lightweight champion Justin Gaethjeand undefeated light heavyweight Tyrone Spong.

 

The first event scheduled to air live on Fight Network is the blockbuster WSOF 22: Palhares vs. Shields world championship card on Aug. 1, 2015 in Las Vegas, headlined by a showcase of elite grapplers as WSOF welterweight champion Palhares defends against former Strikeforce champion and UFC title challenger Shields.

 

Also featured at WSOF 22: Palhares vs. Shields is a bantamweight title bout pitting the champion Moraes against undefeated Brazilian Sheymon Moraes, and a light heavyweight special attraction featuring Spong in the toughest test of his MMA career against heavy-handed veteran Mike Kyle, who makes his third appearance in the WSOF cage.

 

“WSOF has rapidly become one of the top promotions in North America and we’re thrilled to bring these world-class live events to our viewers,” said Chad Midgley, VP of Content at Fight Network. “Shows feature a great assortment of established names and highly touted prospects, providing a perfect balance of nostalgia for longtime fans while exposing viewers to fresh talent. With regularly scheduled events in Canada, homegrown stars can now be seen nationally across the country.”

 

“We are thrilled to partner with such a dynamic and robust television platform like Fight Network, and bring our live event programming to the highly passionate combat sports fan base in Canada where we have made a concerted effort to establish WSOF’s footprint,” said WSOF president, six-time world champion and two-time Hall of Famer, Ray Sefo.

 

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.