Press Release – The next superstars of mixed martial arts are returning to action in Las Vegas, and Sin City’s Cox Pavilion for the first time welcomes the nation’s premier amateur mixed martial arts organization.
“Tuff-N-Uff: The Future Stars of MMA,” in association with Justice Entertainment Group, heads to the Cox Pavilion on Friday, May 27, with the 12-bout event “Tuff-N-Uff: Church vs. Jordan,” featuring a middleweight title fight and a host of explosive matchups.
One of the exciting fights features an intriguing lightweight matchup between undefeated prospects Matt Church (5-0) and David Jordan (6-0).
A two-time Tuff-N-Uff veteran, Church looks to build on the momentum of a stunning 22-second knockout of previously undefeated fan favorite Trace Gray. The always-exciting
Throwdown product has gone to the distance just once in his career, and another stoppage win would put him in a prime position to challenge for the Tuff-N-Uff 155-pound title.
Meanwhile, Jordan returns to the Tuff-N-Uff cage for the first time since November 2010. The 21-year-old Team Beastman fighter has a penchant for taking fighters into deep waters, with four third-round victories on his résumé. Jordan has his eyes on a successful professional career, and a second win under the Tuff-N-Uff banner would be step in the right direction.
The night’s co-feature sees Tuff-N-Uff middleweight championEdmond Xhelili (5-1, pictured to the left) put his belt on the line against top contender Ben Sergent (9-1).
Xhelili earned the belt with a March 2010 decision victory over Tim Bowman and returned this past March to defend the belt in a grudge match with Jason Richey. Xhelili sports a 5-0 mark in the Tuff-N-Uff cage and looks to keep that record unblemished against Sergent, a Kentucky native who made his promotional debut in March.
Sergent has yet to fight to a decision in his amateur career, and six of his victories have come via submission.
“This is an exciting new era in our promotion’s history, and I think we’ve put together a card worthy of the occasion,” Tuff-N-Uff president Barry Meyer said. “We constantly strive to feature the sport’s brightest prospects, and May 27 is no exception. The four contestants involved in the evening’s two featured bouts own a combined 25-2 record. “Add in a full slate of bouts featuring up-and-coming fighters from some of the world’s top camps, and we’re prepared to rock the Cox Pavilion.”
In additional featured action a featherweight grudge match sees Larry Mir (2-3, pictured to the right) seek revenge against Chris Barden (1-0).
Barden made his amateur debut in October 2009 with a first-round knockout of Mir’s teammate, Justin Vadnais. Mir now seeks revenge while also hoping to snap a two-fight losing streak.
Other intriguing matchups at the May 27 event include a featherweight bout between unbeaten prospectsShane Benbow (2-0) and Cesar Campos (4-0), as well as appearances by Tuff-N-Uff fan favorites Troy Remer (3-0), Rudy Morales (2-1), Tyler Jeppesen (2-1) and Damian Jackson (2-0).
In addition to the night’s featured contests, a full lineup of aspiring amateur fighters from some of the world’s top academies – including, TapouT, Team Cascao, Throwdown, Wand Fight Team and Xtreme Couture – will compete at Tuff-N-Uff’s May 27 event.
Tickets for “Tuff-N-Uff: Future Stars of MMA!” which start at just $20, are available at UNLVTickets.com and TuffNUff.net.
The full fight card is available for viewing at TuffNUff.net.
Come see the future stars of mixed martial arts!