Archive for the ‘News’ Category

HE COULD be forgiven if his mind was elsewhere today, but Mike ‘300’ Hayes has got his eyes on the prize: revenge against DJ Linderman.

Having captured the belt courtesy of March’s CWFC Fight Night 4 win against Andreas Kraniotakes in Dubai, the CWFC heavyweight champion defends his title for the first time tonight at Cage Warriors 47 at The Helix in Dublin, Ireland.

Linderman provides the opposition in what will be a repeat of their bout in Washington three years ago. The fight went the distance, the decision went to Linderman, but that just marked the beginning of a heated rivalry.

“He beat me on points, but he definitely beat me,” admits Hayes. “Then months after the fight he started talking a lot of trash, calling me out and calling me every name in the book.

“He said I was ducking him, which was a bunch of crap. I was signed with Bellator and training for the tournament. People talking that kind of trash, I’m not okay with that. Some friendly trash talk in this game is no big deal, but he totally crossed the line.”

It’s a big weekend for Mike Hayes. He could pick up his seventh consecutive win in the Irish capital tonight and, all going well, his wife Meghan will have given birth to their third child by the time he’s back on US soil. Remaining focused under those circumstances has been difficult, but the 31-year-old insists he’s absolutely ready.

“It’s been tough, but I’ve been staying in touch with Meghan. She’s been in and out of the hospital with labour contractions and everything. I’m just hoping she hangs on for another few days before having the baby.

“The doctor said it could be any day now. I’ve just had to set it aside. It’s my third child, not my first, which makes it a lot easier, but I’m here to fight in order to provide for my family and that’s what I’ve got to remember.”

Looking ahead to tonight’s CWFC 47 main event, Hayes is confident of retaining his title by reversing that loss to Linderman in 2009.

“He can’t hurt me. He still has no power in his hands, the worst kicks I’ve ever seen. He’s tough, I’ll give him that, but he beat me before because I was a terrible wrestler back then.

“Now I’m a very adequate wrestler and my ground-game is so much better. I feel confident that I can beat him anywhere. I feel like I could finish him early if I want to, but I’m not going to. I’m going to hurt him. I’m going to beat him up and make him feel every shot.”

Round 5 President Damon Lau announces the release of the Ultimate Collector Series 9 featuring brand new fighters to the Round 5 collection, including two PRIDE tributes, and a Championship Edition available today. The “Ultimate Collector” Series 9 is headlined by a limited edition debut of UFC and Pride great Don “The Predator” Frye, featuring his iconic mustache and American flag shorts. An exclusive UFC edition, limited to 750 pieces, commemorates Frye’s championship run through the David and Goliath Tournament staged at UFC VIII. Each figure is individually numbered and wrapped in retro packaging that features an autograph from The Predator on the back.

Series 9 also marks the first Round 5 appearance by welterweight fan-favorite Nick Diaz. Series 9 will feature a standard Diaz figure, a limited edition PRIDE version, and a Diaz brother two-pack pairing Nick with his brother Nate Diaz. In addition to Nick Diaz, Series 9 features the debuts of newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Ben “Smooth” Henderson, The Ultimate Fighter alumnus Chris “The Crippler” Leben, and Jason “Mayhem” Miller. Rounding out Series 9 is an updated Championship Edition of Cain Velasquez, paying tribute to his victory over Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 to claim the UFC heavyweight title. “If I had to describe this Series in one word, it would be ‘entertaining’,” says Lau. “We’ve included some of the most colorful personalities in the sport in this release, as well as some past and present champions.” As with previous Ultimate Collector Series releases, each figure in Series 9 arrives on shelves in protective UFC-themed packaging, containing a short bio detailing each fighter. “Ultimate Collector” Series 9 will be available in May at Walmart and Toys”R”Us in Canada, and FYE in the United States.

Bellator Fighting Championships makes its return to the Garden State on Friday, May 11 with a talent-filled fight card from Caesars Atlantic City.

The night will feature a Bellator Featherweight Tournament Final fight between Marlon Sandro and Daniel Straus, with the winner earning a guaranteed title shot for the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.

The next finalist in the Season 6 Bantamweight Tournament will be decided as Marcos Galvao and Travis Marx square off in a semifinal bout. Additionally, Caesars Atlantic City will host the return of Seth “the Kimbo Killer” Petruzelli as he takes on MMA veteran Carmelo Marrero. Plus, it’s the long-awaited rematch between Marius “The Whitemare” Zaromski vs. Waachiim Spiritwolf.

Bellator 68 will also feature a stacked undercard full of the area’s top talent. Tickets for the Bellator 68 are on sale and are available through Ticketmaster.com or at the Caesars Box Office. Tickets are priced from $45-$125.

The event will broadcast LIVE starting at 8 p.m. EST on MTV2 and in commercial-free HD on EPIX. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. EST, with the first fight scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST. The preliminary card, featuring some of the area’s top local talent will be streamed LIVE and FREE around the world on Spike.com starting at 7 p.m. EST.

Bellator veteran Marcin Held will look for his fifth win in his last six bouts as he takes on New Jersey product Derrick Kennington. Held, a lightweight submission specialist, is coming off a razor thin split decision victory over Phillipe Nover at Bellator 59 and is looking to improve to 13-2.

Philadelphia’s Jesus Martinez squares off against “The Burmese Python” Aung La Nsang in a catchweight bout of 175 pounds. Martinez, who last competed in a losing effort to Bellator Season 6 Tournament competitor Karl Amoussou, will meet Nsang who is making his promotional debut and brings an impressive submission arsenal with him into the cage.

Also on the card, New Jersey featherweight Jeff Lentz will take on submission fighter Eddie Fyvie in a 145-pound rematch that will surely have the Atlantic City faithful on their feet. Nearly three years ago, Lentz scored a devastating knockout in their first encounter and now Fyvie is looking to exact revenge when they battle at Caesars Atlantic City.

Bellator 68 will feature an exciting lightweight matchup as Bellator veteran Jacob Kirwan battles newcomer Don Carlos-Clauss. Kirwan will look to return to the form that saw him defeat Bellator Season 6 Lightweight Tournament competitor Rene Nazare last year while Carlos-Clauss will look to make a strong first impression.

A pair of Bellator veterans will clash as local favorite Claudio Ledesma challenges fellow bantamweight Anthony Leone in a 135-pound bout. Ledesma, who defeated Brian Kelleher at Bellator 54 last October, is looking to earn his second win with the promotion when he battles the New York native.

Rounding out the card will be Gregory Milliard taking on Francois Ambang. Coming off an impressive win at Bellator 59, Milliard returns to Atlantic City and will try and keep the momentum going against a tough Ambang.
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Andy Leavine, the winner of WWE Tough Enough has been released by the WWE. After getting popped for steroids earlier this year ‘Big Andy’ has been stuck in neutral and the WWE had nothing for him so they let him go. Leavine responded on Twitter about the situation.

On my way to acquire some much needed experience. I’m just gettin’ started in this business.

— Andy Leavine (@AndyLeavine301) April 23, 2012

Andy was a controversial pick to win the show. Luke Robinson appeared to be the total package but some gay wrestling videos in his past caught up to him. Jeremiah Riggs was the best athlete and most charisma but the trainers thought he was too inexperienced and could injure someone even though others with more experience were injuring others during the show.

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The Ultimate Fighting Championship organization announced today that the highly anticipated UFC 145 event – headlined by the light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and challenger Rashad Evans – at the Philips Arena in Atlanta has officially sold out.

UFC 145: JONES vs. EVANS, which airs live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT Saturday night, features a six-fight main card including UFC stars Mark Hominick, Rory McDonald, Brendan Schaub and Miguel Torres.

And perhaps no fight in recent memory has had as much buzz as the long-awaited Jones vs Evans title bout, which sees two former friends and training partners collide for the UFC’s 205lbs championship.

UFC145: JONES vs. EVANS will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada.

For more information or current fight news, visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

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Tonight is the big night for the UFC in Atlanta. If you can’t make it to Georgia to see the big light heavyweight showdown between Rashad Evans and Jon Jones you have some options if you want to see the stacked card tonight. The epic grudge match between Evans and Jones has been brewing for a over a year and tonight it will finally come to a head in the octagon.

If you don’t want to pony up the money for the pay per view there is a place where you can watch it online for free. You can go to www.tvboxstream.com to catch the fights live on your computer. The site is free and easy to use.

You could also go to a sportsbar like Hooters or Buffalo Wild Wings but you wind up spending more on food than you would if you were at home watching the pay per view in your living room. You could always drive to Atlanta and buy some tickets on the street but those wind up costing a fortune too and I’ve found that it’s actually a better experience to watch the fights at home than at the event due to all the downtime in between fights.

However you end up watching the fights you will definitely be treated to a fun night of UFC action between two bitter rivals who have been waiting a long time to get their hands on each other.

Bellator Fighting Championships will make their 2012 Summer Series debut from The Mountain State when the promotion brings Bellator 71 to The Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in Chester, West Virginia on June 22. Bellator 71 will feature the quarterfinals of the Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament, along with a host of preliminary fights.

Tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased online at Etix.com or by visiting The Mountaineer Casino Players Club. Tickets are priced from $25-$200. The event will also be broadcast LIVE starting at 8 p.m. EST on MTV2 and in commercial-free HD on EPIX. Doors open at 6 p.m. EST, and the preliminary card, featuring some of the area’s top local talent will be streamed LIVE and FREE around the world on Spike.com starting at 7 p.m. EST.

“We’ve been in discussions with the team at Mountaineer Resort for quite some time, looking to bring a major nationally and internationally televised event to this spectacular Casino Resort” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “When the chance came to host the opener of our Summer Series, we jumped at the chance.”

Canadian native Roger “The Hulk” Hollett will get his first taste of tournament action when he locks horns with explosive Slovakian finisher Attila Vegh. A 14-time Hungarian Kempo karate champion, Vegh brings an impressive resume into the tournament and should be a force to be reckoned with.

“I came here to Bellator with one goal, and that’s to be the next Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion,” said Vegh. “Becoming a Bellator champion is my main mission in my career. I want to be recognized as the best light heavyweight in the world, and after that my mission will be complete.”

Former Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Finalist Rich Hale is back for another run and will be looking to top his incredible inverted triangle finish that earned headlines (Watch Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPQF0mP5tOs) when he takes on Beau Tribolet in opening-round action.

After compiling a 2-0 record within the Bellator cage, longtime MMA veteran Travis “Diesel” Wiuff will get his shot in the Light Heavyweight Tournament in this tournament debut. Wiuff has amassed an incredible 66 wins during his incredible MMA run, and has his sights set on a Bellator Tournament Championship.
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The Ultimate Fighter Live on FX continues this Friday, live on FX at 10 p.m. ET/PT (Delayed on the West Coast) when Team Faber’s Joe Proctor (8-1), of Pembroke, Mass., takes on Team Cruz’s Chris Tickle (8-4), of Bloomington, Ill., for a spot in the quarterfinals.

With Team Faber’s Michael Chiesa notching a victory over Team Cruz’s Jeremy Larsen last week, the two coaches and bitter rivals’ squads are tied at two wins apiece.

Below is a description of the upcoming “Dogs With No Bark” episode:

“Tempers flare between Mike Rio and Justin Lawrence during sparring. Both teams enjoy a relaxing Easter Sunday. Then, house loudmouth Chris Tickle faces tough guy Joe Proctor in the fifth preliminary fight.”

Proctor and Tickle are looking to move into the quarterfinals along with previous winners James Vick, Justin Lawrence, Al Iaquinta and Chiesa.

The 13-week season will culminate with a championship fight and three-hour finale on June 1. The coaches will then meet on July 7 when Cruz defends his title against Faber in the rubber match of their epic rivalry.

Below are select quotes from Proctor and Tickle. Please let us know if you’d like to have the fighters answer any more questions.

JOE PROCTOR:

Q: How did it feel when your name was called on to fight Friday?

A: When my name was called on Friday I was excited. I’ve been waiting four or five weeks to get in there and show everybody what I’ve been training for.

Q: What have you been doing since then to prepare for the fight?

A: Since my name was called, I’ve just been taking it light by hitting a lot of mitts, working my strength, and critiquing everything for a good game plan.

Q: How has the support of the Team Faber coaching staff been?

A: The Team Faber coaching staff is unbelievable. They’re behind me a hundred percent and constantly motivating me and constantly pushing me. They’ve got me ready for this fight and I can’t wait for it.

Q: What do you think your strength is going into this fight?

A: I think my strength going into this fight is everything. I’m well rounded. If it goes to the ground I’m good, and I’m more than happy to stand up too. I can finish anyway I feel like.

Q: How’s life in the house?

Life in the house is hectic. As much as I love being here and having this great opportunity, I really can’t wait to get back home and see all my friends and my family.

Q: What’s the first thing you’re going to do when you get home?

A: The first thing I’m going to do when I leave the show is hug my girlfriend.

CHRIS TICKLE
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The final chapter of Bellator Fighting Championships’ memorable sixth season, which is presented by Harrah’s New Orleans, will take place at the New Orleans Convention Center on May 25. Bellator 70 will feature the long-awaited Bellator Heavyweight World Title fight between explosive knockout artist Eric Prindle and reigning Bellator Heavyweight Champion Cole Konrad.

Plus, it’s the Finals of Bellator’s best Middleweight Tournament to date as four fighters remain in this Season 6 race for the title with only one walking away with the $100,000 prize.

Tickets for Bellator 70 are now on sale and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or by visiting New Orleans Convention Center Box Office. Tickets are priced from $30-$125. The event will also be broadcast LIVE starting at 7 p.m. CST on MTV2 and in commercial-free HD on EPIX. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. CST, with the first fight scheduled for 6 p.m. CST.

The preliminary card, featuring the area’s top talent will be streamed LIVE and FREE around the world on Spike.com starting at 6 p.m. CST. The official weigh-ins for Bellator 70 will be held at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 24 at Masquerade inside Harrah’s Casino.

The road to Konrad-Prindle has been a bumpy one, as injuries and weight issues have delayed the highly-anticipated matchup. With both fighters healthy and ready to fight, Prindle, the longtime Army Boxing Champion, is ready to battle the two-time NCAA National Wrestling Champion in Konrad.
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India’s first MMA Organization Super Fight League (SFL) is proud to announce the following fights have been confirmed for SFL 3 taking place at the IGI Stadium, New Delhi on Sunday 6th May: Bobby Lashley V James Thompson (HW/ Main Event), Trevor Prangley V Baga Agaev (LH), Doug Marshall V Zelg Galesic (MW) and Lena Ovchynnikova V Joanne Calderwood (125lb).

Fight fans from all over the world can tune in and watch the event live and free on the official SFL YouTube channel: YouTube.com/SFL.

Bobby Lashley V James Thompson (HW)
Before making the jump into MMA in 2008, Lashley shot to world fame in professional wrestling. Fighting out of American Top Team Altitude, former WWE Champion and current Shark Fights Heavyweight Champion Bobby ‘The Dominator’ Lashley (7-1) is set to make an impact on the SFL Heavyweight scene in the SFL 3 main event.

A promising amateur and collegiate wrestler, Lashley was snapped up and trained by World Wrestling Entertainment where he was a multiple ECW World and Unites States Champion, touring the world performing to millions before making the transition from Pro Wrestling to MMA in 2008 where he has secured notable wins over Wes Sims, Jason Guida and most recently Karl Knothe.

Up against Lashley and fresh from a first round submission victory over Bob Sapp at SFL 1 is experienced British Heavyweight James ‘The Colossus’ Thompson (17 -14) who will be looking to come into this fight faster, leaner and going for the KO.
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