Tag Archives: Tony Johnson

papading ya ditebele tsa, FFC, kickboxing, e tsoakiloeng libetsa, MMA

Kickboxing Rocks The Dome at FFC 34

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Petje Retains FFC Lightweight Title After 5 Round War With Gazani

Photo: Bruno Gazani (tloha) takes a body kick from FFC Lightweight Kickboxing Champion Samo Petje (tokelo ya)
Photo courtesy: Sergey Baranov/Final Fight Championship

 

Las Vegas, NV, (November 17, 2018) – The Main Event of “FFC 34” featured an unforgettable Kickboxing title bout that was filled with non-stop action for all five championship rounds.

 

Samo Petje (36-6-1) retained his FFC Lightweight Kickboxing Title by defeating a very game challenger, Bruno Gazani (60-7-0), by majority draw (47-47, 47-47, 46-48).

 

 

 

As advertised, these two warriors (Gazani and Petje) went toe-to-toe in a very entertaining Main Event that had no shortage of crowd-pleasing highlights and thrilling moments. Gazani came forward and pressed the action for most of the night, using his solid boxing skills to his advantage. Petje was able to counter with high knees and vicious body kicks that ultimately led to the majority decision victory. It looked as if Gazani had knocked Petje down in the fifth round but it was ultimately ruled as a slip.

 

 

 

The night’s Co-Main Event, was another war that featured two MMA Heavyweights standing and striking for three straight rounds. Tony “Hulk” Johnson (12-4-1) hlōla D.J. “Da Protégé” Linderman (21-15-0) ka ntsoe-leng qeto ea (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) in what was an absolute slugfest. Linderman suffered a large cut above his right eye early on in the fight and despite the constant stream of blood running down his face, he still decided to stand in the pocket and trade blows with Johnson.

 

Kevin “Thunderstorm” Johnson (6-1-0) went the distance with Isaac Luna (3-1-0) in their Super Lightweight Boxing bout. Keys won by unanimous decision (59-55, 58-56, 59-55) in an exciting fight where Luna kept coming forward and forcing Johnson to engage all night long. Johnson countered well and was able to use crisp combinations to get the decision.

 

 

 

In a Kickboxing Catchweight matchup, Meletis “Litorong” Kakoubavas (33-7-0) caught Jermaine “J.J.” Moferong (24-7-0) with a high right kick to the side of Soto’s head at the fifty-two second mark of round two of their three round fight. The fight was stopped after Soto rose to his feet from the canvas, resulting in a TKO victory for Kakoubavas.

 

 

 

The night began with Heavyweight Zac Cavender (1-0-0) winning his professional MMA debut with a first round TKO victory over Marius Cantoneru (0-2-0). Cavender’s ground and pound worked to perfection as a series of fists to the side of Cantoneru’s head caused the stoppage at the 2:30 maduo a pota e mong.

 

 

 

“FFC 34 promised to deliver action-packed fights, and as advertised, that is exactly what we delivered to our fans,” said FFC CEO/Founder, Orsat Zovko. “All of our fights, in every discipline, were competitive and that is what this Fight Dome experience is all about.”

 

 

 

“FFC 34” took place at its permanent home, “Fight Dome”, which is located at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas. The event aired nationwide on CBS Sports Network, and Claro Sports in Mexico and Latin America.

 

 

 

Ho qetela Ntoa Championship (FFC) is the first and only professional combat sports franchise offering fans a unique ‘multi-discipline’ phihlelo (Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA), where every event culminates with a championship title bout. All FFC events take place inside “Fight Dome” at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas, the all-new mecca of combat sports.

 

 

Complete “FFC 34” MMA results below:

 

Official RESULTS

 

(KICKBOXING) FFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

Samo Petje (36-6-1), Ljubljana, Slovenia

Win by Majority Draw, 5 Rds. (47-47, 47-47, 46-48)

Bruno Gazani (60-7-0), Sao Paulo, Brazil

(Petje Retains FFC Middleweight Title)

(MMA) HEAVYWEIGHTS

Tony Johnson Jr. (12-4-1), Nashville, TN

Win by Unanimous Decision, 3 Rds. (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

D.J. Linderman (21-15-0), Yreka, JOALO KA

 

(Boxing) Super LIGHTWEIGHTS

Kevin Johnson (6-1-0), Las Vegas, NV

Win by Unanimous Decision, 6 Rds. (59-55, 58-56, 59-55)

Isaac Luna (3-1-0), Mohato oa, TX

(KICKBOXING) LIGHTWEIGHTS

Meletis Kakoubavas (33-7-0), Athens, Greece

Win by TKO, Referee Stoppage, (:52 – 2eff Rd.)

Jermaine Soto (24-7-0), Los Angeles, JOALO KA

 

 

 

(MMA) HEAVYWEIGHTS

Zac Cavender (1-0-0), Tooele, UT (Pro qalo)

Win by TKO, Punches, (2:30 – 1st, Rd.)

Marius Cantoneru (0-2-0), Las Vegas, NV

 

papading ya ditebele tsa, FFC, kickboxing, e tsoakiloeng libetsa, MMA

Official Weights For “FFC 34” Multi-Discipline Event at Fight Dome

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Las Vegas, NV, (November 15, 2018) – The weights are official for “FFC 34 – Gazani vs. Petje”, a ‘multi-discipline’ (Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA) ntoa karete, which takes place Friday night, November 16th, ka “Fight Dome,” located at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas. Mamati a butsweng ka 5:30 p.m. (PST), the first bout is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. (PST).

 

 

 

A raucous crowd of combat sports fans gathered in front of the Fight Dome TV Studio, located in the Masquerade Village of Rio Las Vegas, to watch the “FFC 34” fighters make weight for Friday evening’s fight card.

 

 

 

“This will be an entertaining night of fights that is for sure,” said FFC CEO/Founder, Orsat Zovko. “Every fighter possesses a very fan-friendly style of fighting and they have all promised to deliver a show for the fans here at Fight Dome Las Vegas and the fans watching on CBS Sports Network.”

 

 

 

Ho qetela Ntoa Championship (FFC) is the first and only professional combat sports franchise offering fans a unique ‘multi-discipline’ phihlelo (Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA), where every event culminates with a championship title bout. All FFC events take place inside “Fight Dome” at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas, the all-new mecca of combat sports.

 

 

 

Tickets are available for purchase at any Las Vegas Caesars Entertainment Box Office and TicketMaster.com. The ‘multi-discipline’ event will air nationwide on CBS Sports Network, and in Spanish, on Claro Sports in Mexico and Latin America. Check your local listings for more information.

 

 

 

For more information on FFC you can visit www.finalfightchampionship.com or follow FFC on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @FFCFighting.

 

 

 

Here are the official weigh-in results from “FFC 34 – Gazani vs. Petje”

(MMA) Heavyweight Division

Marius Cantoneru (0-1-0), Las Vegas, NV/Romania, 219 liponto.

Zac Cavender (Pro qalo), Tooele, UT, 212.4 liponto.

 

(Kickboxing) Catchweight Bout

Jermaine “J.J.” Moferong (24-6-0), Los Angeles, JOALO KA, 153.8 liponto.

Meletis “Litorong” Kakoubavas (32-7-0), Athens, Greece, 155.2 liponto.

(Boxing) Super Lighweight Division

Isaac “Blue” Luna (3-0-0), Mohato oa, TX, 143.4 liponto

Kevin “Thunderstorm” Johnson (5-1-0), Las Vegas, NV, 144 liponto.

 

(Co-Main Event – MMA) Heavyweight Division

D.J. “Da Protege” Linderman (21-14-0), Yreka, JOALO KA, 264.2 liponto.

Tony “Hulk” Johnson (11-4-1), Nashville, TN, 265.6 liponto

(Main Event – Kickboxing) FFC Lightweight Title Bout

Bruno Gazani (60-6-0), Brazil, 154.4 liponto.

[Defending Champion] Samo Petje (35-6-1), Slovenia, 154.8 liponto.
Pictured in photo above (from left to right) Bruno Gazani, FFC CEO Orsat Zovko and Reigning FFC Lightweight Kickboxing Champion, Samo Petje (FFC 34 Main Event Fighters.)

Pictured in photo above (from left to right) DJ Linderman, FFC CEO Orsat Zovko, Tony “Hulk” Johnson (FFC 34 Co-Main Event)
Photos Courtesy of: Sergey Baranov/Final Fight Championship
papading ya ditebele tsa, kickboxing, MMA

FFC 32 NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS OFFICIAL MMA RESULTS

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TSEBISO EA BORALITABA
Bakeng sa hang-hang Release
‘Gravedigger’ Buries ‘Badwater’ for FFC Title
‘AK-47’ Vanderford Remains Undefeated With KO at FFC 32
Shelton Graves (tloha) wins FFC Heavyweight Title by keeping Carl Seumanutafa (tokelo ya) against the ropes.
Photo courtesy: Sergey Baranov/Final Fight Championship

 

 

Las Vegas, NV, (Oct. 20, 2018) – Sometimes things in life are simply quick and painless. Most of the fights at FFC 32 leha ho le joalo, were actually quick and painful. Knockouts, let’s be honest, usually are quite painful.

 

 

 

Friday night’s Main Event was one of the only fights at FFC 32 (which was an all-MMA event) that did not end in a knockout. Shelton “Gravedigger” Le mabitla a (9-3-0) defeated Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa (11-9-0) ka ntsoe-leng qeto ea (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to win the vacant FFC MMA Heavyweight Championship Title.

 

 

 

Graves did a great job of avoiding standing toe-to-toe with the knockout artist, Seumanutafa, spending most of the fight pressing the heavy-handed Samoan (Seumanutafa) up against the ropes and using knees to the body and a series of quick uppercuts to frustrate his opponent. Ya leano ba ile ba sebetsa, as Seumanutafa was frustrated with the constant pressure, which allowed Graves to keep him on the ropes and against the turnbuckle, taking away any opportunity for a Seumanutafa trademark knockout.

 

 

 

In the Co-Main Event, Undefeated Welterweight, Austin “AK-47” Vanderford (6-0-0), kept his unblemished record in tact when he rocked Emilson “The Amazonian Warrior” Freitas (7-3-0) with a nice left hand to the temple at the 1:38 maduo a pota e mong. Vanderford wins by KO for only the second time in his professional career.

 

 

 

Previously unbeaten Light Heavyweight, Ivan Erslan (6-1-0), was trying to stay undefeated as a professional but his opponent, Branko Busick (3-1-0) had other ideas. Busick sent Erslan to the canvas at the 4:41 mark of the second round with a solid left hand to the chin and it was all she wrote for Erslan. Busick picks up the first KO victory of his young career.

 

 

 

In the Lightweight division, as promised, it was a “grapplers paradise” for as long as it lasted… And it didn’t last very long. Brandon “Kiba” Ricetti (9-2-0) submitted Adam “Smash” Smith (11-10-0) by Arm Triangle at the 4:26 mark of the very first round. If you’re keeping score, all nine of Ricetti’s wins have come by submission.

 

 

 

FFC 32 took place at its permanent home, “Fight Dome”, which is located at Caesars Entertainment’s Rio Las Vegas. The event aired nationwide on CBS Sports Network.

Complete “FFC 32” MMA results below:

 

Official RESULTS

 

 

 

FFC HEAVYWEIGHT MMA CHAMPIONSHIP

Shelton Graves (9-3-0), Baltimore, MD

Win by Unanimous Decision, 5 Rds. (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)

Carl “Badwater” Seumanutafa (11-9-0), San Francisco, JOALO KA

(Graves wins FFC Heavyweight Title)

 

 

 

WELTERWEIGHTS

Austin Vanderford (6-0-0), Portland, OR

Win by KO (Punch), 1:38 Rd. 1

Edmilson Freitas (7-3-0), Manaus, Amazon, Brazil

 

 

 

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS

Branko Busick (3-1-0), Steubenville, OH

Win by KO (Punch), 4:41 Rd. 2

Ivan Erslan (6-1-0), Zagreb, Croatia

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Brandon Ricetti (9-2-0), Boy, JOALO KA

Win by Submission (Arm Triangle), 4:26 Rd. 1

Adama Smith (11-10-0), Spokane, WA

 

 

 

BANTAMWEIGHTS (Pro Debuts)

Brady Hiestand (1-0-0), Spokane, WA

Win by Unanimous Decision, 3 Rds. (29-26, 29-26, 29-26)

Corey Conway (0-1-0), Las Vegas, NV

papading ya ditebele tsa, kickboxing, e tsoakiloeng libetsa, MMA

Heavyweight MMA Title Bout Headlines FFC 32THIS FRIDAY IN LAS VEGAS

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Shelton Graves takes on Tony Johnson for the FFC MMA Heavyweight Championship

Las Vegas, NV, (Oct. 16, 2018) – Final Fight Championship follows up its historical Las Vegas debut (ka Oct. 12go th) with a Heavyweight MMA title fight on Oct. 19go th. “FFC 32” will be an all-MMA fight card featuring some of the most talented mixed martial artists in the country, le ho feta.

 

 

 

In a clash between two hungry heavyweight sluggers, Shelton “The Gravedigger” Le mabitla a (8-3-0), Baltimore, MD tla tobana le Tony “Hulk” Johnson (11-4-1), Nashville, TN e kholo ea ho ketsahalo ea “FFC 32”, which takes place Friday, Oct. 19go th at Fight Dome Las Vegas located at Rio Las Vegas. Graves and Johnson will fight for the vacant FFC MMA Heavyweight Title.

 

 

 

In the night’s Co-Main Event, it will be another heavyweight bash between experienced wrestler, Rodney Wallace (26-16-1), Bamberg, SC, le Carl Seumanutafa (11-8-0), San Francisco, JOALO KA, a veteran muay thai competitor and the quintessential knockout artist.

 

 

 

In the welterweight division, Edmilson Freitas (7-2-0), Manaus, Amazon, Brazil nka ka Austin Vanderford (5-0-0), Portland, OR. Branko Busick (2-1-0), Steubenville, OH lintoa Ivan Erslan (6-0-0), Zagreb, Croatia in the light heavyweight division, and in the lightweight division, Adama Smith (11-9-0), Langley, WA lintoa Brandon Ricetti (8-2-0), Boy, JOALO KA, to round out the main card.

 

 

 

“FFC 32” will air on CBS Sports Network, Friday evening, Oct. 19, check your local listings for more information.

 

 

 

During the undercard portion of the evening, welterweight Javahn Matthews, West Linn, OR will make his pro debut when he faces Jordan Christensen, Las Vegas, NV.

 

 

 

In their most recent event, “FFC 31 Bosiung ba la Champions”, Final Fight Championship made history becoming the first combat sports promotion company to feature three different disciplines (papading ya ditebele tsa, kickboxing and MMA) in one fight card, all fights were for the title.

 

 

 

Tickets are available at any Las Vegas Caesars Entertainment Box Office, ka bitsa 702-777-2782 kapa 855-234-7469 kapa Inthaneteng ho Ticketmaster.com. For groups of 10 or more call 866-574-3851 kapa ka imeile EntertainmentGroupSales@Caesars.com.

 

 

 

For more information about Final Fight Championship, ka kōpo etela finalfightchampionship.com, Facebook at Facebook.com/FFCFighting, and Follow on Instagram/Twitter @FFCFighting.

Bellator, e tsoakiloeng libetsa, MMA, Spike TV

CHEICK KONGO TAKES HOME MAJORITY DECISION IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘BELLATOR 161’

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Austin, Texas — (September 16, 2016) — It took 15 minutes of heavyweight action during the main event of “Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson” to decide a winner between Cheick Kongo (25-10-2) le Tony Johnson (10-3), empa qetellong, e ne le “The Darkness” who emerged victorious via majority decision ka labohlano bosiu.

The action between the two sluggers varied between heavy punches and elite wrestling, but the grappling of Kongo won out, as the 41-year-old got the better part of the action in the final ten minutes and began his newly signed extension with Bellator MMA on a high note.

The heavyweight title picture remains unclear, but if one thing’s certain, it’s that Kongo will have a claim to the strap when the promotion decides to put the title back on the line.

 

Guillotine Choke Fuels Joe Warren to Victory in Co-Main Event

Joe Warren (14-5) le Sirwan Kakai (12-5) traded blows for over ten minutes of heart pounding action in the evening’s co-main event, but it was Warren who finished on top after delivering a neck crank submission just 1:04 ka tikologong ya boraro jaanong. Ka mor'a hore win, the self-proclaimed “Baddest Man on the Planet” is now tied for second all-time in Bellator MMA victories with 12. The former two-division champion Warren has now won seven of his last nine contests and has once again proven why he belongs among the division’s elite. The loss marks the first time over Kakai’s eight-year career that he has been finished by an opponent.

Anastasia Yankova Outlasts Veta Arteaga in Flyweight Marathon

In a highly-anticipated women’s flyweight battle, undefeated Russian Anastasia Yankova (4-0) came out on top against Veta Arteaga (2-1) ka e petsoha ka qeto ea. With the win the 25-year-old Yankova continued along her brisk path to stardom with a comeback performance that two out of three cage side judges saw in her favor. Yankova impressed in her first ever fight in the US, recording her fourth career victory and second with the Scott Coker-led promotion. The win is the first to go the distance for Yankova, with each of her initial three coming by way of submission. For Arteaga, the difficult judges’ decision leaves her with the first loss of her professional career.

Compelling Lightweight Opener Ends in Unanimous Decision win for Lubbuck’s Campos

During the opening contest at "Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson," Texas’ own Derek Fields (17-6) scored a come-from-behind unanimous decision (29-28 x3) win over Dutch knockout artist Djamil Chan (12-3). After absorbing a devastating blow that sent him to the canvas early in the opening round of action, “The Stallion” quickly recovered and responded in a big way in rounds two and three. The 28-year-old Campos scored his second straight win and sixth since joining the Bellator MMA fray. For Chan, the loss ends an impressive run of seven consecutive victories over a dominant four-year stretch.

Selelekela Card Results:

Armando Villareal (1-0) hlōla Tommy Burghardt (0-1) ka tsela ho ikokobelletsa (ka morao-hlobotse a bipetsa) ka 2:08 ea ho pota-pota e mong

Sean Clements (1-0) hlōla David Ramirez (0-1) ka tsela ntsoe-leng qeto (30-26, 30-27 2X)

Matt Mazurek (4-4) hlōla Jose Guerra (0-3) ka e petsoha ka qeto ea (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)

Daniel Pineda (22-12) hlōla Mark Dickman (11-3) ka tsela ho ikokobelletsa (ka morao-hlobotse a bipetsa) ka 2:07 ea ho pota-pota tse tharo

Emily Ducote (4-1) hlōla Kenya Miranda (2-3) ka tsela ho ikokobelletsa (armbar) ka 4:37 ea ho pota-pota tse peli

Morena Trujillo (21-15) hlōla Deuce King (15-18) ka tsela ho ikokobelletsa (reverse arm triangle) ka 1:20 ea ho pota-pota e mong

Garrett Scott (2-0) hlōla Waylon Bronstrup (0-1) ka tsela ho ikokobelletsa (ka morao-hlobotse a bipetsa) ka 0:50 ea ho pota-pota e mong

Nick Gonzalez (19-13) hlōla Warren Stewart (11-23) ka e petsoha ka qeto ea (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Bellator, e tsoakiloeng libetsa, MMA, Spike TV

PRELIMINARY ACTION FEATURING PROMOTIONAL DEBUT OF KENYA MIRANDA ADDED TO ‘BELLATOR 161’

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MARK DICKMAN-DANIEL PINEDA SET FOR FEATHERWEIGHT CLASH & MIDDLEWEIGHTS GREGORY BABENE-‘KIKO’ FRANCE READY FOR BATTLE ON SEPTEMBER 16

Santa Monica, CALIF (August 30, 2016) – A female flyweight bout pitting Kenya Miranda (2-2) against Emily Ducote (3-1) has been added to the preliminary portion of “Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson,” which takes place on September 16 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Texas.

Holim'a moo, featherweights Mark Dickman (11-2) and Daniel Pineda (21-12) have agreed to slug it out while Gregory Babene (17-11-1) le Francisco “Kiko” France (13-4-1) square off in a middleweight bout that will also be featured on the Bellator.com-streamed preliminary card.

The fights join a heavyweight main event pitting Cheick Kongo (24-10-2) against Tony Johnson (10-2) and a bantamweight showdown pitting Joe Warren (13-5) against Sirwan Kakai (12-4). Holim'a moo, a lightweight feature fight featuring Derek Campos (16-6) against Djamil Chan (12-2) and a female flyweight battle between Anastasia Yankova (3-0) and Veta Arteaga (2-0) will also highlight an electric main card.

"Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson” will air LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 9 p.m. Et / 8 p.m. CT. Litekete tsa ketsahalo eo e qala ka feela $25 and can be purchased at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster, or the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Box Office.

Ka 28, Miranda will be making her Bellator MMA debut when she steps into the cage on September 16. Since begining her professional career in 2014, Miranda has recorded a pair of wins, both of which came at the expense of opponent Natalia Cristina Silva. In her first career victory, the Brazilian prospect finished her challenger with a second round knockout and followed up the impressive performance with an equally splendid first round rear-naked choke submission. A native of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Miranda will look to prove she belongs with the world’s best when she meets her “Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson” opponent.

Ducote burst onto the Bellator MMA scene following a second-round rear-naked choke finish of Bruna Vargas at “Bellator 159: Caldwell vs. Taimanglo.” The win earned the the 23-year-old Oklahoma native an exclusive contract with the Scott Coker-led promotion, and was her third straight win in 2016 since dropping the opening bout of her young mixed martial arts career. Training out of American Top Team’s affiliate in OKC, “Gordinha” will look to keep the momentum going when she takes on another top Brazilian prospect on September 16.

At 32-years-old, Dickman has quietly climbed the ranks as one of MMA’s most consistent featherweights. After beginning his professional career 5-0, the Las Vegas native continued his hot start, emerging victorious in nine of his first 10 lipheletsong. The knockout artist will be making his second appearance under the Bellator MMA umbrella, after defeating Thomas Diagnevia brutal third round knockout at “Bellator 154: Davis vs.. King Mo.” Of his 11 professional victories, seven have come by way of KO, punctuated by three first round finishes. “Tricky” enters this fight having won six of his last seven bouts and his last two, as he tries to add to his career total and remain unbeaten since joining the Bellator MMA circuit.

Best known as a submission specialist, the 30-year-old Pineda has spent time with multiple local promotions as well as the UFC during his 33-fight career. Nicknamed “The Pit,” Pineda enters the cage having won three of his last four bouts and the opportunity to earn his first victory since joining the Bellator MMA fray. Hailing from Houston, Pineda will have the hometown edge over his opponent as the Scott Coker-led promotion will take its talented roster to Cedar Park and the H-E-B Center for the first time. Dating back to 2012, each of his last six wins has come by way of submission, with five of them occurring in the opening round of action. It’s worth noting that all 21 of Pineda’s wins have come by way of knockout or submission.

Hailing from Paris, France, 29-fight veteran Babene will be making his second appearance under the Bellator MMA banner. The 32-year-old “Blade” emerged victorious in his promotional debut earlier this year, when he defeated Brandon Farran with a first round rear-naked choke submission at “Bellator 150: Kongo vs.. Spartan.” The French middleweight has amassed 17 career wins thus far, 14 of which have come by way of knockout or submission. Babene will face one of the stiffest tests of his career, as he prepares to face rising middleweight “Kiko” France.

France will be fighting for the third time under the direction of Bellator MMA, after earning a victory over Ben Reiter in his Bellator debut at “Bellator 146: Kato vs.. Manhoef.” The 33-year-old nicknamed “Kiko” will also be making his 19th overall appearance in the cage, where he has accrued 13 professional wins; 12 of which have come by way of submission. The Gilbert, Arizona native is currently riding a hot streak, claiming victories in six of his last eight fights (including one draw). The veteran submission specialist will have his hands full, as he prepares to enter enemy territory and challenge Babene in his home state of Texas on September 16th.

Updated "Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson” Main Card:
Heavyweight Main Event: Cheick Kongo (24-10-2) vs.. Tony Johnson (10-2)
Bantamweight Feature Bout: Joe Warren (13-5) vs.. Sirwan Kakai (12-4)
Flyweight Feature Bout: Anastasia Yankova (3-0) vs.. Veta Arteaga (2-0)
Lightweight Feature Bout: Derek Fields (16-6) vs.. Djamil Chan (12-2)

Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:
Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Kenya Miranda (2-2) vs.. Emily Ducote (3-1)
Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Mark Dickman (11-2) vs.. Daniel Pineda (21-12)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Gregory Babene (17-11-1) vs.. Francisco France (13-4-1)

Ka Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA ke e itlhomme pele Mixed Martial Arts mokhatlo o hlophisitsoeng featuring ba bangata ba molemo ka ho fetisisa bahlabani lefatšeng. Tlas'a tataiso ea veteran ntoa a ntsetsa pele Scott Coker, Bellator e fumaneha hoo li ka bang 400 limilione tse malapeng a lefatseng ka bophara ka ka 120 linaheng. United States, Bellator ka bonoa ka Spike, le MMA thelevishene moeta-pele. Bellator MMA e comprised ea wa lekgotla la phethahatso sehlopha e kenyeletsang holimo kgwebong ya a thelevishene tlhahiso, phela ketsahalo mogokaganyi, ntoa se ntshetsopele / dikamano, lefelo la phumantsho ya thepa ka, lihlapiso tlholego ya ditiro / ntshetsopele, machaba dilaesense, tsa mebaraka, papatso, phatlalatsoa le taelo e e kopanela liphate. Bellator e thehiloe a Santa Monica, California le ruilweng ke boithabiso senatla Viacom, ba lula ho lefatse Tonakgolo boithabiso Brands hore amahanya le bamameli ba ka ho le qobellang dikahare ka mose thelevishene, tshisinyo setšoantšo, Inthaneteng 'me Mobile platforms.

Ka Spike:
Spikeis available in 98.7 limilione tse malapeng a 'me ke ho makala a Viacom Media Networks. A yuniti ya Viacom (NASDAQ: Via, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks ke e mong oa eona e itlhommeng pele bakeli ya merero le dikahare ka mose bohle mecha ea litaba platforms. Spike’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, ka mor'a-e-litšoantšo tlhahisoleseding le foto.

Bellator, e tsoakiloeng libetsa, MMA, Spike TV

BANTAMWEIGHT STANDOUTS JOE WARREN AND SIRWAN KAKAI SET FOR BATTLE DURING CO-MAIN EVENT OF ‘BELLATOR 161’

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Santa Monica, CALIF (August 10, 2016) – A bantamweight showdown pitting Joe Warren (13-5) khahlanong le Sirwan Kakai (12-4) has been added to the main card of "Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson," e leng etsahala ka September 16 inside the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Texas, and will air LIVE and FREE on SPIKE.

The bantamweight contest joins a heavyweight main event featuring Cheick Kongo (24-10-2) ho jara Tony Johnson (10-2), and the U.S. qalo ea Anastasia Yankova (3-0), ba kopana le Veta Arteaga (2-0). Additional contests will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Ditekete tsa "Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson” qala kwa feela $25 can be purchased at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster, or the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Box Office. The event will air LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 10 p.m. LE/9 p.m. CT.

A 15-fight veteran of Bellator MMA and champion in not one but two different weight classes, Warren enters the cage with an 11-4 mark under the Scott Coker-led promotion, including multiple streaks of five consecutive wins. Dating back to 2015, ea 2006 Pan American and World Champion wrestler has made three consecutive appearances in Bellator’s main event, including an impressive unanimous decision victory over L.C. Davis at "Bellator 143: Warren vs.. Davis. " Hailing from Denver, Colorado, the “Baddest Man on the Planet” will look to become the first-ever fighter to knock out Kakai when the two meet in main card action on SPIKE.

 

Nicknamed “Zohan,” Kakai comes into the fight in search of his first career win under the Bellator MMA banner. Ka feela 26 le lilemo li, the Swedish submission specialist hopes to make a splash against the former two-division champion in Warren. Since making his professional debut in 2008, Kakai has recorded 12 wins as a pro, with half coming by way of submission. Prior to joining the Bellator MMA fray, Kakai made a splash fighting under the direction of the UFC, recording a unanimous decision victory over Danny Martinez in his promotional debut. Kakai now faces one of the most challenging opponents Bellator MMA’s stacked bantamweight division has to offer when he enters the cage on September 16 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.

 

Updated "Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson” Main Card:

Heavyweight Main Event: Cheick Kongo (24-10-2) vs.. Tony Johnson (10-2)

Bantamweight Co-Main Event: Joe Warren (13-5) vs.. Sirwan Kakai (12-4)

Flyweight Feature Bout: Anastasia Yankova (3-0) vs.. Veta Arteaga (2-0)

Bellator, e tsoakiloeng libetsa, MMA, Spike TV

ANASTASIA YANKOVA PUTS UNDEFEATED RECORD ON THE LINE AGAINST VETA ARTEAGA ON SEPTEMBER 16AT ‘BELLATOR 161’

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Santa Monica, CALIF (August 4, 2016) – A flyweight bout pitting Anastasia Yankova (3-0) khahlanong le Veta Arteaga (2-0) has been added to the SPIKE-televised portion of "Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson," e leng etsahala ka September 16 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Texas.

The fight joins a main card that features a heavyweight main event pitting French phenom Cheick Kongo (24-10-2) against the streaking Tony Johnson (10-2). Additional main and preliminary contests will be announced shortly.

Mamati bakeng sa ketsahalo butsweng ka 7:45 p.m. CT local time and the first preliminary bout – which streams live on Bellator.com le The Bellator Mobile App — qala ka 8:00 p.m. CT. Litekete tsa ketsahalo eo e qala ka feela $25 and can be purchased now at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster, or the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Box Office.

The 25-year-old Yankova will make her second appearance of the year, after garnering the attention of the MMA world with an impressive promotional debut in Italy at "Bellator 152: Hrithik vs.. Souza.” The Russian submission specialist began her professional career 2-0, before earning her first victory under the direction of Bellator MMA with an impressive first round armbar victory. An avid artist outside of the cage, Yankova hopes to carve out her next masterpiece when she returns to action on Supa. 16.

Since making her professional debut earlier this year, Arteaga has strung together back-to-back wins, including a unanimous decision victory over Jackie Vandenburgh in her promotional debut at "Bellator 155: Carvalho vs.. Manhoef. " Ho fihlela hona joale, each of Arteaga’s first two wins have gone to the judges’ table, leaving the 28-year-old Boise, Idaho native itching for her first career stoppage win.

 

Updated "Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson” Main Card:

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Main Event: Cheick Kongo (24-10-2) vs.. Tony Johnson (10-2)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Feature Bout: Anastasia Yankova (3-0) vs.. Veta Arteaga (2-0)

Bellator, e tsoakiloeng libetsa, MMA, Spike TV

EVERYTHING’S BIGGER IN TEXAS: HEAVYWEIGHTS CHEICK KONGO AND TONY JOHNSON HEADLINE ‘BELLATOR 161’

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B161_1920x1080_announce

NEWLY ANNOUNCED EVENT TAKES PLACE September 16 AT H-E-B CENTER AT CEDAR PARK, Texas

Santa Monica, CALIF (July, 22) – Bellator MMA is heading back to the “Lone Star State,” where a heavyweight bout pitting Cheick Kongo(24-10-2) khahlanong le Tony Johnson (10-2) will serve as the main event of "Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson," e leng etsahala ka September 16 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Texas, and will air LIVE and FREE on SPIKE.

 

The Scott Coker-led promotion will be holding its first-ever event at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, which is just a short drive from Austin. Ditekete tsa "Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson” ho qala ka $25 can be purchased at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster, or the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park Box Office starting next Labohlano, July 29 with an exclusive Bellator Nation pre-sale running the Laboraro le Labone prior. Additional contests will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Hailing from Paris, Kongo will enter the cage for the ninth time under the direction of Bellator MMA and make his third consecutive appearance in a card’s main event. An 18-fight veteran of the UFC, Kongo hopes to add to his current two-fight winning streak and 6-2 mark since joining the Viacom-owned promotion back in 2013. Standing 6 maoto a 4, Kongo will have a noticeable height advantage over his shorter opponent. With half of his 24 career wins coming by way of knockout, Kongo will also attempt to finish Johnson for the first time of his professional career.

 

A native of North Platte, Nebraska, Johnson has strung together an impressive streak of three straight victories, including two in a row since re-joining the Bellator MMA fray. After making his professional debut in 2008, the 30-year-old made his Bellator MMA debut with a unanimous decision win over Derrick “The Black Beast” Lewis at “Bellator 46.” Since challenging current UFC Champion Daniel Cormier in 2010, Johnson has gone 6-1 with three knockout finishes, including noteworthy victories over Alexander Volkov and most recently Raphael Butler, ka nako ya"Bellator 148: Daley vs.. Uhrich” pele ho moo selemong sena.

 

Updated "Bellator 161: Kongo vs.. Johnson” Main Card:

Bellator MMA Heavyweight Main Event: Cheick Kongo (24-10-2) vs.. Tony Johnson (10-2)

Bellator, e tsoakiloeng libetsa, MMA, Spike TV

MATT MITRIONE CHOOSES BELLATOR MMA, SIGNING AN EXCLUSIVE, MULTI-FIGHT CONTRACT WITH THE PROMOTION

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Santa Monica (March 14, 2016) – Last week, top mixed martial art’s free agent Matt Mitrione (9-5) joined Ariel Helwani’s “MMA Hour” show and revealed that he had been fielding offers from multiple promotions, including a great bid he had received from Bellator MMA. In a very rare move, Helwani had Mitrione rejoin his popular talk show for a second straight week to announce that the paperwork has been finalized, making Mitrione the newest member of Bellator MMA’s heavyweight division.

 

“There comes a time in every athlete’s life, where the scenarios change and the landscape has eroded from what made you fall in love with it initially,” said Mitrione. “It has become that time for me. After a mutually beneficial free agency period, I’ve decided to move my career to Bellator. I’ve enjoyed almost every second of my career and unlike most that switch organizations due to being cut or no longer being able to perform at the sports highest levels, I am bringing a body and skillset that are only getting better and I cannot wait to test my abilities against the best Bellator has to offer.”

 

Lovingly referred to as “Meathead,” Mitrione is one of the few fighters to have started his professional career with the UFC without previously competing on the regional circuit. His 14-bout stint with that promotion began in 2009, where he faced formidable opponents the likes of: Kimbo Slice, Gabriel Gonzaga, Ben Rothwell, Derrick Lewis, Brendan Schaub, Roy Nelson, Shawn Jordan and Travis Brown amongst others.

 

Prior to competing in MMA, Mitrione earned a scholarship to play defensive tackle for the Purdue Boilermakers football team, not far from where he grew up in Springfield, A kula. Ka mor'a k'holejeng, he played in the NFL for the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings until 2005.

 

At the conclusion of his professional football career, the Shotokan Karate Black Belt focused all of his attention on the sport of MMA. Mitrione spent time training with Duke Roufus and the highly-respected Roufusport team before landing with the famed Blackzilians camp in Boca Raton, FLA, where he trains today.

 

The extremely popular and well-spoken Mitrione has allowed the judges to determine the result of his fight only twice, khahlanong le Joey Beltran le Cheick Kongo, both of whom currently fight for Bellator MMA. His entertaining fighting style has earned him recognition with “Performance of the Night” (ka makhetlo a mabeli) le “Ntoa ea Night” accolades.

 

Prior to his last fight with his former promotion, Mitrione was forced to participate in a media session barefoot, as his shoes didn’t adhere to the strict company uniform policy. He will have no such problems at Bellator, where he is free to secure his own sponsors and keep his feet warm with the footwear of his choosing.

 

Bellator has been bolstering their heavyweight division as of late, and Mitrione becomes the second heavyweight free agent the promotion has signed in as many months, e le Sergei Kharitonov joined the fray in February. The division is currently championed by Vitaly Minakov, and includes other top names like Slice, Bobby Lashley, Cheick Kongo, Vinicius “Spartan,” Tony Johnson, Justin Wren, Dan Charles le Augusto Sakai.