CHICAGO, Ill. (July 29, 2010) — A showdown between one of MMA’s most exciting lightweights and a colorful, highly-regarded South Florida fan favorite will serve as the “Local Main Event” when Bellator Fighting Championships returns to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., for its Season 3 debut on Aug. 12th.
The much […]
CHICAGO, Ill. (July 29, 2010) — A showdown between one of MMA’s most exciting lightweights and a colorful, highly-regarded South Florida fan favorite will serve as the “Local Main Event” when Bellator Fighting Championships returns to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., for its Season 3 debut on Aug. 12th.
The much anticipated fight pits UFC and PRIDE veteran Yves Edwards (37-16-1) against four-time Bellator veteran and Miami native Luis “Baboon” Palomino (13-5) in a battle for bragging rights between two of South Florida’s top MMA gyms, American Top Team and MMA Masters.
Edwards, one of MMA’s most battle-tested veterans, is known as one of the most vicious finishers in the sport with 15 knockouts and 15 submissions to total 30 stoppages during his 13-year pro career. He has notable recent wins over UFC veteran Derrick Noble and WEC vet Kyle Jensen and is one of only three pros to have defeated former Strikeforce champion Josh Thomson.
Palomino, who won a clear-cut unanimous decision victory over ATT up-and-comer Jose Figueroa at Bellator 21 on June 10th, has notched 7 of his 13 pro victories via KO or TKO. He also owns career wins versus Strikeforce and EliteXC vet Nick Gonzalez and Bellator, Strikeforce and Sengoku mainstay Jorge Masvidal.
Edwards and Palomino join a stacked Bellator 24 card that also features:
– A special non-title “Super Fight” between reigning Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard (26-2-1) and former NFL standout Herbert “Whisper” Goodman (15-8);
– An opening-round fight in Bellator’s Women’s World Championship Tournament featuring the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound female fighter, Megumi Fujii, and veteran submission grappler Angela Magana, the world’s No. 8-ranked female fighter at 115 lbs.;
– Another opening-round Women’s Tournament fight between the world’s No. 6-ranked 125-pounder, Lynn “Lights Out” Alvarez, and Jessica Aguilar, the world’s No.7-ranked 115-pounder; and
– An opening-round fight in Bellator’s Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament between heavy-handed UFC veteran Eddie Sanchez and British behemoth Neil “Goliath” Grove.
Tickets for the event — which will also be broadcast LIVE nationwide on FOX Sports Net — are on sale now at ticketmaster.com.
“The Edward-Palomino fight is just part of a talent-stacked Bellator 24 card that will kick off our third season in exciting fashion,” said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Yves Edwards has a well-earned reputation as a show-stopper and Luis Palomino has been known to knock guys out with impunity as well. It should be a very interesting fight and one that I’m definitely looking forward to watching.”
For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator.
About Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator Fighting Championships is a Mixed Martial Arts promotional company headquartered in Chicago. Bellator’s founder/CEO, Bjorn Rebney, is an experienced fighting sports and entertainment professional with a deep commitment to the purity and integrity of the sport of MMA and its athletes. Bellator Fighting Championships’ executive team is comprised of top industry professionals in the areas of live event production, television production, fighter relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.
Boise, Idaho: MMA history will be in the making as former Idaho Steelhead enforcer Jeremy Yablonski will return to Idaho soil for the last time to put his Undefeated Heavy Weight XFS World Title on the line against the Undefeated freak of nature Rick “The Giant” Johnson. Johnson, who is the current Cage Rage Heavy […]
Boise, Idaho: MMA history will be in the making as former Idaho Steelhead enforcer Jeremy Yablonski will return to Idaho soil for the last time to put his Undefeated Heavy Weight XFS World Title on the line against the Undefeated freak of nature Rick “The Giant” Johnson. Johnson, who is the current Cage Rage Heavy Weight World Champion, will be fighting out of Chicago, Illinois; where he stands 6′6, tipping the scale at a whopping 250lbs.
“Although Jeremy has an amateur boxing record of 200 wins and 1 loss; this may very well prove to be his toughest opponent yet.” says Knockout Promotions President Kasey Thompson. “This will be a MAJOR test for Yabo”
Shiely Perez will defend her CCF Female World Title against Sara “The PHYSCO” Thomas from Peoria, Illinois; in a much anticipated grudge match.
There will be a total of (4) CHAMPIONSHIP belts on the line, in a night of action-packed, full-contact, cage fighting action!
PLUS a whole lot more — with a total of 16 fights! That’s XFS #53 — “GRUDGE MATCH” in the octagon on FRIDAY, August 6th at Qwest Arena! Tickets start at JUST $12… Exclusively through the Qwest Arena box office, while supplies last. Charge tickets on-line at www.QwestArenaIdaho.com or call 331-TIXS.
Tickets start at JUST $12
Exclusively through the Qwest Arena box office while supplies last.
Charge tickets on-line at: www.QwestArenaIdaho.com
Call or get them online now!
208.331.TIXS
CHICAGO, Ill. (July 27, 2010) — Two-time NCAA wrestling champion Cole Konrad and highly-touted European submission ace Rogent Lloret will face of in an opening-round contest in Bellator’s Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament at the historic Chicago Theatre on Aug. 19th.
Konrad and Lloret join a stacked Bellator 25 card that also features the U.S. debut of […]
CHICAGO, Ill. (July 27, 2010) — Two-time NCAA wrestling champion Cole Konrad and highly-touted European submission ace Rogent Lloret will face of in an opening-round contest in Bellator’s Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament at the historic Chicago Theatre on Aug. 19th.
Konrad and Lloret join a stacked Bellator 25 card that also features the U.S. debut of undefeated heavyweight sensation Damian “The Polish Pitbull” Grabowski in another opening-round Heavyweight Tournament fight with massive Georgia-based ground-and-pound specialist Scott Barrett, and an opening-round fight in Bellator’s Women’s World Championship Tournament between Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Frausto and the world’s No. 6-ranked flyweight, Jessica Pene, as well as five other fights.
Tickets for the event — which will also be broadcast LIVE nationwide on FOX Sports Net — are on sale now at ticketmaster.com.
“Cole is on one of the best heavyweight wrestlers in the world and Rogent’s jiu-jitsu is at a similar level, so this should be a very intriguing fight,” said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Add this fight to a card that already includes the U.S. debut of Damian Grabowski and a highly anticipated Women’s Tournament fight between Zoila Frausto and Jessica Pene and you have the makings of a great fight night in Chicago.”
Konrad, a protégé and training partner of reigning UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, will enter the Lloret fight looking to improve on the unblemished 4-0 record he has compiled since making his pro debut in January. Dubbed “The Polar Bear” by Lesnar due to his freakish strength during sparring sessions, the 6-foot, 5-inch Konrad’s two most recent wins came during special “Feature Fights” at Bellator 17 and Bellator 22 in May and June. Previously, he won the NCAA Division I wrestling title at 285 lbs. in 2006 and 2007 while competing at the University of Minnesota and won a gold medal at the 2005 Pan-American Games.
“I think Lloret is going to be the toughest test I’ve faced in MMA up to this point in my fighting career,” Konrad said. “I’m going to be looking to finish him as soon as possible. The goal for this tournament is to get in and get out. I’m looking to finish all of these fights as quickly as possible and get out of there.”
Lloret, a Gracie Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and M-1 Global veteran has not lost a fight in more than three years and enters the tournament with a 9-1-1 overall pro record. He is known for his smothering ground game — submitting six of his nine victims, including four by arm triangle choke — but also displayed his striking prowess when he KO’d Serbian MMA veteran Miodrag Petkovic with a devastating high head kick this past April.
“I know that he is a good wrestler and he must be super strong too because he weighs way more than me — 22 pounds or more,” Lloret said of Konrad. “The only thing I hope is that my background and my speed are a little on top and that I can keep the fight standing. We are both going to give the best we have and it will be a war.”
Also competing in the Heavyweight Tournament alongside Konrad, Lloret, Barrett and Grabowski are Seattle-area knockout artist Mike “300” Hayes, heavy-handed UFC veteran Eddie Sanchez, power-punching British behemoth Neil “Goliath” Grove and one yet-to-be named fighter.
For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator.
About Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator Fighting Championships is a Mixed Martial Arts promotional company headquartered in Chicago. Bellator’s founder/CEO, Bjorn Rebney, is an experienced fighting sports and entertainment professional with a deep commitment to the purity and integrity of the sport of MMA and its athletes. Bellator Fighting Championships’ executive team is comprised of top industry professionals in the areas of live event production, television production, fighter relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations.
British middleweight striker Paul “Semtex” Daley (24-9-2) vowed to stay busy after his release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion just a few months ago.
Daley punched opponent Josh Koscheck after the horn went to sound the end of the third round of their non-title bout at UFC 113 in Montreal, Canada on May […]
British middleweight striker Paul “Semtex” Daley (24-9-2) vowed to stay busy after his release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship promotion just a few months ago.
Daley punched opponent Josh Koscheck after the horn went to sound the end of the third round of their non-title bout at UFC 113 in Montreal, Canada on May 8th. UFC president Dana White was quick to announce the release of “Semtex” from the organization.
Daley, fresh off a victory over Brazilian Daniel Acacio in Australia at the Impact FC 2 – The Uprising: Sydney event, has now signed a one fight deal with the Texas based Shark Fights promotion, he’ll make his debut on September 13th at the “Shark Fights 13″ event in September against an as yet to be named opponent.
It was formally announced today that UFC veteran, Paul “Semtex” Daley, has signed a one-fight deal with Shark Fight Promotions, a fast-rising fight promotion company based out of Amarillo, Texas. It has been confirmed that Daley will fight on the Shark Fights 13 card in September. Daley’s opponent is yet to be determined and will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Words cannot express how elated we are that Paul Daley has agreed to fight for our organization. Daley is arguably one of the best 170-pound fighters in the world.” states Brent Medley, president of Shark Fight Promotions.
Medley went on to say, “We are currently in the process of choosing Daley’s opponent. Several marquee fighters are being considered and a decision will be made very soon. This is shaping up to be an incredible card! Numerous A-list fighters have been confirmed for the Shark Fights 13 roster.”
Shark Fights has already signed former UFC light-heavyweight “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine to the September event, he’ll face Trevor Prangley for the promotions light-heavyweight title. The event also features a bout between Rameau Thierry “The African Assassin” Sokoudjou and Houston “The Assassin” Alexander.
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – One of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite returns this fall to defend his title against one of the division’s most dangerous fighters. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo, universally recognized as the number one ranked lighter weight fighter in MMA, makes the second defense of his crown against judo ace Manny Gamburyan when […]
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – One of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite returns this fall to defend his title against one of the division’s most dangerous fighters. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo, universally recognized as the number one ranked lighter weight fighter in MMA, makes the second defense of his crown against judo ace Manny Gamburyan when World Extreme Cagefighting® invades the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo. on Thursday, Sept. 30.
WEC follows the lead of its sister company, the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, which has put on two successful events in Broomfield in recent years.
In addition to the featherweight title fight, WEC General Manager Reed Harris confirmed today that Denver native Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone will meet former lightweight champion Jamie Varner in a long-awaited grudge match. Plus, former bantamweight champion Miguel Angel Torres returns to the cage to take on the red-hot Charlie Valencia. If those fights weren’t enough, Sept. 30 also features featherweight bouts pitting Leonard Garcia vs. Mark Hominick and “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung vs. George Roop.
“From top to bottom, this card is stacked with Fight of the Year-caliber matchups,” Harris said. “In addition to having a title fight, a grudge match, and a bantamweight war, this card features warriors like Garcia, Hominick, and ‘The Korean Zombie.’ These guys have all been in some of the most memorable fights in WEC history. Now, they have a chance to put on epic fights in front of the great Colorado fans.”
Tickets for WEC: Aldo vs. Gamburyan go on sale Saturday, July 31 at 10 a.m. MT and will be priced at $185, $135, $75, and $40. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to WEC newsletter subscribers on Thursday, July 29 starting at 10 a.m. MT. To access this presale, users must register for the WEC newsletter through wec.tv. Tickets will be available online at www.TicketHorse.com or by phone at 866.461.6556. TicketHorse kiosks are also located at all Colorado Dick’s Sporting Goods Stores (credit cards only). In addition, tickets are also available at 1STBANK Center Box Office on July 30 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. MT or at Pepsi Center during normal box office hours.
WEC: Aldo vs. Gamburyan will be televised nationally live on VERSUS beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. All of the network’s live WEC events are presented in HD and Spanish language SAP where available. For more information and how to find VERSUS in your local viewing area, visit http://www.versus.com/findversus.
Ranked as one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, featherweight champion Jose Aldo (fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is unbeaten at 7-0 in WEC and on course to become the most dominant 145-pounder ever. Fresh off a dominant performance over former division kingpin Urijah Faber in April, the 23-year-old knockout sensation Aldo (17-1) has his sights set on his 10th consecutive victory.
“I’m excited to fight Manny Gamburyan, who is a really good fighter,” Aldo said. “I know that he has good judo and punching power, but I expect to knock him out. He’s not taking my belt.”
Unbeaten at 3-0 since dropping to featherweight last year, Manny Gamburyan (fighting out of Hollywood, Calif.) stunned many observers in April by knocking out former champion Mike Brown. The win earned the Armenian judo practitioner a shot at Aldo, and more importantly, the opportunity to realize a lifelong dream. With a world title in his crosshairs, Gamburyan (13-5) expects to shock the world when he meets the Brazilian champion in Colorado.
“I feel blessed to have this opportunity,” Gamburyan said. “This is a fight featuring the number one and number two fighters in the world in this division, so there are no secrets to my game plan. I’ve gotta’ bring my ‘A’ game. I have to be in top-notch shape, I’ve got to have good standup, ground and wrestling. Everything has to be perfect. I think he’s a great fighter and I respect him as a champion, but I fight to destroy. It’s my time and I’ve got to shine.”
Ask Donald Cerrone (fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M) which fight he’d like the most and he’d undoubtedly tell you that it’s a rematch with former world champion Jamie Varner. Since their first fight in Jan. 2009 ended in a controversial decision loss for Cerrone – a loss than came when Varner was struck with an illegal knee and could not continue – the Denver-born fighter has made no qualms about his desire to get back inside the cage with Varner. Now, on Sept. 30, “Cowboy” gets his wish and he gets it in his backyard of Colorado.
“I’ve wanted this fight for a long time,” Cerrone (11-3, 1 NC) said. “There’s definitely bad blood there. Jamie is definitely the perfect fight for me to get motivated and come back stronger than ever. Plus, I’ve never lost in Broomfield and I have a lot of support there. It will be good to feel that energy and fight Jamie Varner in Colorado.”
One of the most division’s most talented athletes, Jamie Varner (fighting out of Tempe, Ariz.) is on a quest to reclaim the WEC lightweight title. After battling unbeaten Kamal Shalorus to a draw in June, the 25-year-old Varner (16-3-3, 2 NC) has his sights set on a rematch with Cerrone and the opportunity to silence the former pro bull rider once and for all.
“This Cerrone fight has been a question mark in my career and everybody has question marks in their life,” Varner said. “So this fight is the opportunity to turn that question mark into a period or an exclamation mark. This is a good opportunity to shut him up and silence the critics and let them see that I’m the real deal.”
Once the most dominant bantamweight on the planet, Miguel Angel Torres (fighting out of East Chicago, Ind.) believes he has recaptured the formula that led him to becoming world champion. Fueled by a new training regimen that includes refining his aggressive striking and high-level jiu jitsu, the 29-year-old Torres (36-3) is as motivated as ever and hopes to prove that point on Sept. 30 when he locks horns with Valencia.
“Charlie is tough and he’s been around a long time like me,” Torres, a Carlson Gracie black belt, said. “I can’t underestimate him, but I match up well with him in all areas of the game. I’m looking to make a statement with this fight and I have to show everybody that I haven’t gone anywhere. I’m still here and I’m dangerous. I’m not looking to just beat Charlie. I want to put him out”
Riding consecutive victories over Seth Dikun, Ox Wheeler, and Akitoshi Tamura, Charlie Valencia (fighting out of Ontario, Calif.) is knocking on the doorstep of world title contention. As the explosive 35-year-old gears up for his biggest fight to date against Torres, Valencia (12-5) predicts one of the year’s best fights.
“I’m usually the underdog and I relish that role,” Valencia said. “In MMA, anything can happen. I’m out there to win and put on exciting fights. I respect him for what he’s done for the bantamweight division. I expect this fight to be fast-paced and entertaining.”
Sept. 30 also marks the return of Leonard Garcia and Chan Sung Jung, who waged war against one another in the “Fight of the Decade” in April. Garcia (fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) heads to Broomfield to take on Canadian star Mark Hominick (fighting out of Thamesford, Ontario, Canada), who had his own epic clash in June with long-time rival Yves Jabouin. Meanwhile fan favorite “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (fighting out of Seoul, South Korea) looks to leave Colorado buzzing when he locks horns with gritty featherweight George Roop (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.).
Remaining bouts for WEC: Aldo vs. Gamburyan will be announced at a later date. For more information, visit www.wec.tv. Follow WEC at http://twitter.com/WEConVERSUS.
Press Release
Four main-card fights including a world title fight have been secured to heighten the already talent-laden lineup for MFC 26: Retribution.
The event, which will be held in Westman Place at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, and air live on HDNet Fights, features a co-main event pitting MFC lightweight champion Antonio “Mandingo” McKee […]
Press Release
Four main-card fights including a world title fight have been secured to heighten the already talent-laden lineup for MFC 26: Retribution.
The event, which will be held in Westman Place at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, and air live on HDNet Fights, features a co-main event pitting MFC lightweight champion Antonio “Mandingo” McKee (24-3-2) against Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Luciano Azevedo (16-8). The savvy veteran McKee has not lost since 2003 but has garnered a reputation for dragging fights out. With a new aggressive mindset, McKee has declared he will retire from mixed martial arts if Azevedo lasts five rounds against him in a quest for the 155-pound championship belt.
“I’ve said before that I will fight differently but I was still cautious. Not anymore. I am going to destroy Azevedo … I will mess him up. If it goes to a decision, I will leave my gloves in the ring and walk away,” touted McKee, who trains out of Lakewood, California.
Azevedo, a native of Rio de Janeiro, is an accomplished competitor, and the only fighter to earn a victory over world-renowned featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo. When the two met in 2005, Azevedo scored a rear-naked choke victory – a crowning achievement for the 26-year-old who just four months later would go on to defeat reputed striker Din Thomas. Azevedo, who will be making his debut on North American soil at MFC 26, has won six of his last eight fights and holds 12 submission victories in his career.
Two spectacular middleweights will also see action at MFC 26 as brash British star Tom “Kong” Watson (12-3) clashes with former reality show standout Jesse “JT Money” Taylor (15-6).
Watson is an extremely gifted striker who flashed his wares in his organizational debut, scoring a first-round, head-kick knockout over Travis Galbraith at MFC 24 back in December. The Southampton, England, native has won eight straight fights and will be well-prepared for encounter with Taylor as he trains alongside Georges St. Pierre in Montreal.
Taylor, meanwhile, will be looking to get on a winning streak of his own, having won two of his last three. The Murrieta, California, product earned victories over Jason Day and veteran Murilo Bustamante in recent bouts, but sandwiched in between was a first-round submission defeat at the hands of Thales Leites in the main event of MFC 25 this past May.
In a light heavyweight battle, rugged sluggers Dwayne Lewis and Wilson Gouveia will meet in a pivotal matchup to see who remains in the mix of the MFC’s 205-pound division. Lewis (11-5) had a seven-fight win streak snapped at MFC 25 when he dropped a three-round decision to former MFC light heavyweight champ Emanuel Newton. But the Fort McMurray, Alberta, product has shown plenty of resiliency throughout his career, and knockout power as well, having finished off five opponents during that winning streak including rival heavy-hitter Marvin Eastman.
Gouveia (12-8), the American Top Team representative from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, also is in dire need of win as he too was beaten at MFC 25, dropping a one-sided decision to Ryan Jimmo. The native Brazilian does have an impressive list of beaten foes on his resume including Jon Fitch, Jason MacDonald, Jason Lambert, and Seth Petruzelli.
The live televised card on HDNet will kick off with a showdown between two tough-minded rivals as “King” Solomon Hutcherson takes on David Heath. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Hutcherson (11-6) is another reality show standout who is looking to squarely solidify his position in the MFC’s middleweight ranks. Heath (15-6), who will be making his debut at 185 pounds, has collided with numerous big names in the light heavyweight ranks, and the Tulsa, Oklahoma, resident was part of the MFC’s 2009 Fight of the Year.
Two more bouts including the other half of the co-main event for MFC 26 will be announced shortly.
Tickets for MFC 26: Retribution are on sale now and available via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone (204) 726-3555 and www.ticketmaster.ca. All the latest news of the MFC can be found first at www.maximumfighting.com.
