Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to Columbus, Ohio for the first time in 13 years with a thrilling light heavyweight contenders’ battle that will see former champion and No. 1 ranked Jan Blachowicz take on surging No. 3 Aleksandar Rakic. In a clash of top flyweights, No. 2 ranked contender Askar Askarov faces No. 6 Kai Kara-France in a matchup with title implications.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: BLACHOWICZ vs. RAKIC will take place Saturday, March 26 from Nationwide Arena. The entire event will be available on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+, starting with the prelims at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT. The main card will begin at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: BLACHOWICZ vs. RAKIC tickets will go on sale Friday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. ET and are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. UFC Fight Club^® members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 10 a.m. ET via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Jan. 13 starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.

No. 14-ranked men’s pound-for-pound fighter Blachowicz (28-9, fighting out of Warsaw, Poland) aims to kick off his 2022 campaign with another spectacular KO victory. During his UFC run, he has delivered memorable wins against Israel Adesanya, Dominick Reyes and Luke Rockhold. Blachowicz now intends to defend his spot on the 205-pound ladder with a show-stealing performance and set himself up for another crack at the championship.

Rakic (14-2, fighting out of Vienna, Austria) hopes to keep his momentum going following consecutive victories over former title challengers Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith. A well-rounded competitor with KO power, he has also secured notable stoppage victories over Jimi Manuwa and Devin Clark. Rakic now hopes to take out a former champion in emphatic fashion and stake his claim for his first UFC title shot.

Undefeated Askarov (14-0-1, fighting out of Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia) has wasted no time turning heads since joining the UFC roster in 2019. Following a split draw against now-champion Brandon Moreno, he has since netted impressive wins over Joseph Benavidez, Alexandre Pantoja and Tim Elliott. Askarov is now gunning to earn his first UFC title opportunity with another dominant performance.

Kara-France (23-9 1NC, fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand) is coming off a sensational KO victory against former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt last month. A heavy-handed striker, he holds thrilling victories over Rogerio Bontorin, Tyson Nam and Raulian Paiva. Kara-France now looks for another highlight-reel finish to continue his ascent up the flyweight rankings.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• MMA legend Matt Brown (25-8, fighting out of Columbus, Ohio) looks to steal the show in front of his hometown fans when he faces Bryan Barberena (16-8, fighting out of Gastonia, N.C. by way of Knoxville, Tenn.) in a welterweight bout guaranteed to deliver action
• No. 8 ranked women’s strawweight contender Michelle Waterson (18-9, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) squares off with No. 9 Amanda Ribas (11-2, fighting out of Varginha, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
• Nate Landwehr (14-5, fighting out of Clarksville, Tenn.) locks horns with unbeaten Lerone Murphy (11-0-1, fighting out of Manchester, England) in an intriguing featherweight bout
• No. 7 ranked women’s flyweight contender Joanne Wood (15-7, fighting out of Glasgow, Scotland) battles No. 11 Alexa Grasso (13-3, fighting out of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico)
• Tucker Lutz (12-2, fighting out of Baltimore, Md.) takes on SeungWoo Choi (10-4, fighting out of Gangneung, South Korea) in a featherweight matchup
• No. 9 ranked women’s bantamweight contender Sara McMann (12-6, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) meets No. 13 Karol Rosa (15-3, fighting out of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• Rising bantamweight prospects collide when Montel Jackson (12-2, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) faces Danaa Batgerel (10-2, fighting out of Erdenetsagaan, Sukhbaatar, Mongolia)
• No. 8 ranked flyweight contender Matheus Nicolau (15-3-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) takes on No. 10 David Dvorak (20-3, fighting out of Horice, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic)
• Dana White’s Contender Series signee Aliaskhab Khizriev (13-0, fighting out of Makhachkala, Russia) squares off with Abus Magomedov (24-4-1, fighting out of Düsseldorf, Germany) in a clash of debuting middleweights

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage.

###

About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 625 million fans and 178 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About Nationwide Arena

Nationwide Arena is the centerpiece of the downtown Arena District featuring an exciting mixture of restaurants, business, entertainment and residential space that attracts visitors from across the country.   Located on the corner of Nationwide Boulevard and Front Street, the venue opened to great fanfare in September of 2000 and has since hosted the NHL All-Star Game, regular season and playoff hockey, NCAA championships, local, regional and national conferences and a multitude of concerts and touring events.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 17.1 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – January 11, 2022 – WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. and top contender and WBC mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo previewed their world title showdown during a virtual press conference Tuesday before they headline action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, January 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^®  telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and will see super lightweight contenders Subriel Matías and Petros Ananyan meet for a rematch in the 12-round co-main event, while hard-hitting featherweight Tugstsogt “King Tug” Nyambayar and Vic Pasillas square off in the 10-round telecast opener.

Tickets for the live event, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com.

Russell, who owns the longest reign of any current male champion and has held his 126-pound belt since 2015, will look to make his sixth consecutive successful title defense on January 22, when he takes on the Filipino power-puncher Magsayo, who is trained by Freddie Roach and comes in off of a Knockout of the Year contender over former champion Julio Ceja last August.

Here is what the fighters had to say Tuesday:

GARY RUSSELL JR.

“I use everything going on with me outside of the ring as fuel. It’s been very difficult dealing with the passing of my brother and my dad’s health issues. I tell people all the time that life is like boxing. You have to keep your chin down and hands up. I’m grateful that I’m mentally strong when it comes to stuff like this. This is what champions do, we overcome adversity.

“I’ve been willing to compete against whoever, whenever and wherever. But I can’t force these guys to get in the ring and fight me. I just have to prepare to the best of my ability. I need a dance partner.

“I see him as a good even-handed puncher, maybe he leans a little more to the right hand. He has good punching power, but none of that matters if you can’t hit your target.

“We’re grinding in training camp. No matter what, we’re not going to make any excuses or complaints.

“If I’m going to move up in weight, I want to fight the champion. I’m not planning to move up in weight just to stand in line. I’m fighting Magsayo because he moved up the rankings and earned this spot. Everyone who I’ve competed against has been the next best guy under the champion.

“I don’t have any concerns with Magsayo’s power. You very seldom see me have to come back on the scorecards. Magsayo had to come back in his last fight because he was losing on the cards. That shows some holes in his armor.

“I never overlook anybody. Of course I want the Gervonta Davis fight. But I’m focused on Magsayo. He’s the one who worked his way into this position to fight me. Davis is in no rush, so I’m going to remain focused on a true warrior who’s getting into the ring with me.

“I stay in the gym. Boxing is not just what I do, it’s a lifestyle for me. Even when I’m over and done with my career, I’m still going to be in the gym. I never really blow up and get big in weight. I love what I do and I’m very militant in my mindset.

“No one can really prepare for me. You can’t prepare like you think you can. I know Magsayo will be at his physical and mental best. I take my hat off to him, because he’s willing to put it on the line to prove he’s the best. I wish other fighters would take that same risk.

“A lot of these other guys aren’t willing to step in there with me because of the skillset that I bring. Finally, we have another fighter with some heart who’s willing to fight. I want him to bring his best, so we’ll see whose best is best.”

MARK MAGSAYO

“I’m very thankful to my whole team for making this fight happen. I’ve been training for three and a half months now, so I’m going to be well prepared for this fight.

“I don’t think Gary has faced anyone since he became champion that has the skills that I have. I’m going to go in there to show him something he’s never seen before and we’ll see how he reacts.

“I learned a lot from the Ceja fight. That gave me a lesson on how to adjust in the middle of a fight. It’s going to help me against Russell.

“I respect Gary Russell Jr., he’s a great champion, but I’m winning this fight on January 22. I want to prove to the people everywhere that I’m the best featherweight in the world.

“I’m going to show the world that I’m the best at this weight. This is the fight that I’ve wanted for a long time. I’ve been waiting patiently for my chance and I’m ready to do my best.

“I’ve had great sparring partners to prepare me for Russell and give me the same looks that he’ll give me on fight night. This is my first world title fight and I’m going to give it my all.

“I’m not trying to be the next Manny Pacquiao, but I’m trying to put my own mark on the history of this sport and for all Filipinos. I’m hungry to prove it all in the ring.

“I’m going to be the stronger fighter against Russell. We trained every day with Freddie Roach and we’ve worked on a lot of different techniques we’ll use in this fight.

“I know he’s going to bring his talent into the ring, but I’m going to show everybody that I can deliver a great fight and become champion.”

#          #          #

ABOUT RUSSELL VS. MAGSAYO

Russell vs. Magsayo will see WBC Featherweight World Champion Gary Russell Jr. defend his world title against top contender and WBC mandatory challenger Mark Magsayo headlining action live on SHOWTIME Saturday, January 22 in a Premier Boxing Champions event from Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING^® tripleheader begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and features a 12-round rematch between super lightweight contenders Subriel Matías and Petros Ananyan in the co-main event, plus hard-hitting featherweights Tugstsogt Nyambayar and Vic Pasillas squaring-off in the 10-round telecast opener.

For more information visit www.SHO.com/sports, www.PremierBoxingChampions.com, follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions on Instagram @ShowtimeBoxing, @PremierBoxing and @TGBPromotions or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOBoxing.

BOSTON (January 11, 2022) – Kansas City (KS) lightweight Marcell Davidson has joined his younger brother, undefeated welterweight Marcus Davidson (2-0, 2 KOs), in Ryan Roach’s Fighter Locker stable having recently signed an exclusive managerial contract.

The 24-year-old Marcell was a decorated amateur boxer, capturing the Ringside World Championships twice, in addition to winning a gold medal at the 2019 National Golden Gloves Tournament. The 6’ 3” southpaw also won a silver medal at the 2017 National Golden Gloves, as well as a bronze the following year at the The Gloves. He also competed in the Olympic Trials.

Davidson got into boxing almost by accident. He and Marcus were together playing football at a local recreation center. The season ended and they were about to sign up for baseball, when the boxing coach asked them what sport they were going to get into next. He told them that boxers are stronger than football players. Marcus was immediately a convert, but Marcell really wasn’t into it. He just ran around instead of training and eventually he was banned because he broke a rule. Eventually, Marcell got his act together and he was allowed back in the gym a couple of years later. Both of the Davidson brothers have been there ever since.

As Marcell says, “My brother talks to everybody, and I follow.” So, when Marcus turned pro and signed a managerial contract with Roach, soon afterwards Marcell joined Fighter Locker.

“I was ready to turn pro and stayed in the gym training,” Marcell explained. “We were talking about which manager to sign with. We waited it out and stayed ready. My brother signed before me, and I listened to him talk about Ryan. My brother said Ryan was a great guy and the time was right for me to sign with him, too.

“Ryan is a great guy. I didn’t know anything about him – not even his family in boxing – but he’s a great guy who wants to help us and build our careers. I could definitely tell that he cares and takes care of his fighters.”

Davidson is slated to make his pro debut Feb. 12^th on “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre,” presented by Vertex Promotions, at Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham, Massachusetts. 

“I’m very excited,” Marcell spoke about his upcoming pro debut. “You won’t see it, but I’m excited inside. I’ve been waiting for this moment. I’d like to stay very busy this year and maybe move up to 6-rounders by my fifth or sixth pro fight.”

“Marcell is a very skilled fighter,” Roach commented about his newest fighter. “One of his best attributes, which I think will be a huge advantage, is hos 6’ 1” height. We have been discussing him fighting at 135-140 pounds. He is a very athletic, young man with speed and power. He was a nationally ranked fighter who went to the Olympic Qualifiers, so this is a huge signing for my company. I’m excited to have the Davidson brothers under one stable, Fighter Locket. They are very close and do everything together. This will be fun!”

Fighter Locker’s growing stable of gifted boxers also includes California super flyweight Rocco “So Cal Kid” Santomauro (21-1, 6 KOs), New York’s ABF American West super lightweight Ray Jay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (15-0, 11 KOs), Connecticut’s ABF USA super welterweight Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (18-5-2, 6 KOs), Colorado’s ABF American West super middleweight champion “The Amazing” Shawn McCalman (10-0, 6 KOs), Massachusetts super lightweight Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (12-0, 9 KOs), Florida super bantamweight Daniel “The Dedication” Bailey, Jr. (9-0, 5 KOs), Massachusetts featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (3-0, 2 KOs), 2-time Brazilian Olympian & 2016 Olympic silver medalist Yuberjen Martinez, Brazilian Olympian Jorge Vivas, 2-time Dominican Olympian, lightweight Leonel de los Santos (5-0, 5 KOs), Dominican cruiserweight Roki “Rocky” Berroa (2-0, 1 KO), Dominican super welterweight Juan Solano Santos (1-0, 1 KO), Dominican featherweight Orlando Perez Zapata (10-0, 8 KOs), Dominican lightweight Isaelin Florian Henriguez (8-1, 4 KOs), Florida light heavyweight Robert Daniels, Jr. (5-0, 5 KOs), Irish light heavyweight Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole (2-0, 2 KOs), Texas super lightweight Miranda “La Alacrana” Reyes (5-0-1, 2 KOs)  ), and Utah brothers, ABF American West lightweight champion Ignacio Chairez (9-0-1, 5 KOs) and lightweight Gabriel Chairez (4-0-1, 2 KOs).

INFORMATION:

WEBSITE: fighterlocker.com, punch4parkinsons.com

FACEBOOK: /fighterlocker

TWITTER: @RoachRyan

INSTAGRAM: @RyanRoach82

ABOUT FIGHTER LOCKER: Established in 2019, Fighter Locker is a comprehensive sports agency that manages professional boxers. Fighter Locker also helps to brand boxers by finding their voice with a 100-percent customized service. Fighter Locker does not really believe in working models. It believes in partnership optimization models in motion.

Fighter Locker uses four creative steps because it believes in “the foundation is everything”: 1. wisely conceived, 2. creatively restrained, 3. Proudly judged, 4. sharply targeted.

JOE JOYCE HAS been told he will be able carry on punching in six week’s time as he accelerates his recovery following a wrist injury that ruled him out of an early 2022 date.

The Juggernaut was scheduled for February action with the intention of beefing up his CV and topping up his experience ahead of a potential world heavyweight title tilt later this year. The 36-year-old is No.1 ranked by the World Boxing Organisation and is next in line to face the winner of the forthcoming Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua rematch, which looks likely to take place in May.

Promoter Frank Warren has indicated a preference for April when it comes to Joyce’s return to action.

The 13-0 Putney man with 12 stoppages to his name sustained the injury after returning from a training stint with his revered coach Ismael Salas in Las Vegas, who he was unable to work with across the build-up to his victory over Carlos Takam at Wembley in July of last year due to travel restrictions.

The sixth round stoppage triumph over the redoubtable and rated Takam reinforced Joyce’s position in pole position with the WBO and it was a performance the 2016 Olympic silver medallist declares himself satisfied with.

“I think it was an ok performance from me and, technique-wise, it was better,” reflected Joyce. “I feel it was a good performance against Takam, although he landed some good shots that didn’t seem to faze me. I was kind of working out his timing and stuff and landing when I could, while trying to avoid or block most of his looping shots that were coming over the top.

“I found the timing with my jab then landed a good left hook in the sixth. After that I was like ‘okay, I am not going to stop throwing punches until this is stopped’.

In some respects, Joyce acknowledges that he reverted to type against Takam after a slick and elusive performance against Daniel Dubois, where he showed nimble footwork and a rapier-like jab. At the SSE Arena it was more of a give and take affair, although he reasons this was not a premeditated tactic.

He also reasons that the absence of Salas was a key factor.

“It is just the way it turned out really, but I think it was a case of not having worked with Salas. This is why I had to reconnect with him and go back to Vegas to start learning some more stuff from him.

“For the Dubois fight he came over for two weeks to set the game plan and polish up my technique, which resulted in me going in and doing the job.

“I am in a better place after doing a training camp with him, for sure. He brings me on a lot and from the start of my professional career he installed in me the fundamentals and biomechanics of boxing.”

Joyce is planning further tutorials with his Cuban mentor when he returns to the first phase of his training in the next couple of weeks before finally getting back into headline action.

“I am looking to fight some time in April and there are some great potential fights for me for this one, which is something to look forward to. I will be back punching soon in about six weeks and this will still be a huge year for me.”

FRESNO, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2022) — The homecoming of former unified junior welterweight world champion Jose Ramirez is happening, just 27 days later than expected. Central Valley native Ramirez will fight former two-weight world champion Jose “Sniper” Pedraza in the 12-round main event Friday, March 4 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.

Ramirez and Pedraza were scheduled to fight Saturday, Feb. 5, but Pedraza tested positive for COVID-19.

In the six-round heavyweight special feature immediately before the main event, Olympic silver medalist Richard Torrez Jr., from the Central Valley town of Tulare, California, will make his long-awaited professional debut. The 10-round co-feature will see the Top Rank debut of featherweight contender Joet Gonzalez, who will fight Filipino veteran Jeo Santisima. The entire Ramirez-Pedraza card will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+. 

Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $36 are on sale and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets purchased for the Feb. 5 date will be honored for March 4.

About ESPN+
ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 17.1 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year)
at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).

BOSTON (January 10, 2022) – Vertex Promotions returns February 12th with “St. Valentine’s Day’s Massacre,” headlined by undefeated super lightweight prospect Adrian “Tonka” Sosa, on Saturday night, February 12, at Moseley’s On The Charles in Dedham, Massachusetts.

“We’re very excited to continue promoting our shows to showcase local talent,” Vertex promoter Dave Clark said. “We made our debut last September and promoted three more pro shows last year. We learned a lot and continue our goal to keep local fighters active and provide an entertaining night out for fans.”

The 26-year-old Sosa (12-0, fighting out of Lawrence (MA), headlined a Vertex show last September in his first action in more than 2 years. He will take on an opponent to be determined Feb. 12th in the 8-round main event.

In the 8-round co-featured event, undefeated ABF American West and NBA Continental champion RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (15-0, 11 KOs) faces TBA as the Albany fighter continues his march towards a major fight.

Undefeated welterweight prospect James “The Slim Reaper” Perella (8-0, 5 KOs), fighting out of Mansfield, Massachusetts, is matched tough against Mexican challenger Danny “Venado” Flores (15-26-1, 8 KOs) in an 8-round bout. Perella is a 4-time USA New England Championships and 4-time New England Golden Gloves Champion.

It’s “Tank Time,” again. Undefeated Weymouth (MA) super welterweight prospect Francis “Frank The Tank” Hogan (9-0, 9 KOs) will attempt to keep his perfect pro record intact and go 10-for-10 in an 8-rounder versus TBA.

Boston Irish will be in the house as Ireland-natives “Lethal” Larry Fryers (11-5, 4 KOs) and Tommy “The Kid” O’Toole” (2-0, 2 KOs) are schedule to be in action. Fryers, a welterweight now living in Yonkers (NY), is a 20212 Ulster Intermediate Champion, while light heavyweight O’Toole (2-0, 2 KOs) returns to the Boston area for his third pro fight. O’Toole, fighting out of Galway, was a 2019 Irish Elite Championship gold medalist.

Fryers will be in a scheduled 8-rounder, O’Toole a 4, and both will be matched against opponents to be determined.

Also fighting in 4-round matches against TBA’s are popular Dorchester (MA) featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. (1-0, 1 KO), a 2016 Rocky Marciano Tournament champion, and Southbridge (MA) super featherweight Alex Rivera (2-0, 1 KO).

Opponents will soon be announced. Fighters subject to change.

Tickets are on sale for $85.00 and up (ringside), $75.00 (general admission) and $50.00 (standing room). Tickets are available to purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-valentines-day-massacre-21222-tickets-243038654157?aff=ebdssbdestsearch or contact any of the competing fighters to purchase tickets.

Doors will open at 6:30 pm. ET with the first bout scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The USA’s two-time Middleweight World Champion Daniel Jacobs will collide with Britain’s word rated Super-Middleweight contender John Ryder at the famous Alexandra Palace in London on Saturday February 12, live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

Former WBA and IBF 160lbs king Jacobs (37-3, 30 KOs) earned a split decision win over two-time World Title challenger Gabriel Rosado last time out in November 2020 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, just under a year on from his fifth round stoppage win against Mexico’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. 

‘Miracle Man’, who hails from Brooklyn, New York, fell short in his WBC, IBF and WBA Middleweight World Title unification clash with pound-for-pound star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in May 2019, losing out on all three of the judges’ scorecards, but three years on the 34-year-old still has a burning desire to mix it with the best in the world.

Islington’s Ryder (30-5, 17 KOs) suffered a controversial points loss to former WBA Super-Middleweight World Champion Callum Smith in his one and only World Title challenge at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool in November 2019, but the 33-year-old Tony Sims trained-southpaw returned with wins over Mike Guy and Jozef Jurko in 2019 and 2020.

“I’m super excited to be returning to the ring,” said Jacobs. “It has always been a dream of mine to fight in London as a professional, and I’m looking forward to fighting in front of a great crowd. I’m putting my best foot forward on February 12.”

“This is the fight I need to really bring the best out in me,” said Ryder. “Jacobs is a great fighter but he has had his time and now it’s my time to shine! My dreams are at stake on February 12 and destiny awaits. It’s time to get right back to where I need to be.”

Tickets for Jacobs vs. Ryder are priced £40, £80, £120 and £250 (VIP).

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from midday on Monday January 10. Priority ticket info will be emailed directly to eligible members.

General Sale tickets can be purchased via StubHub (www.stubhub.co.uk) from midday on Tuesday January 11.

Undercard details will be announced soon. 

DANIEL DUBOIS HAS placed the winning of a first world title belt right at the top of his 2022 wish list and has WBA champion Trevor Bryan firmly in his sights.

The London heavyweight knockout artist known as ‘Dynamite’ enjoyed a productive 2021 with two typical KO victories – over Bogdan Dinu and Joe Cusumanu – to take his professional ring record to 17-1, with 16 stoppages and more importantly place himself in the top spot of the WBA rankings.

His explosive success has seen him installed as No.1 challenger for the WBA world heavyweight championship currently held by the American Bryan.

Promoter Frank Warren has indicated a March return for the 24-year-old and says he would favour a straight shot at the champion, if the fight can be made.

“It is a new year with new things on the horizon, so I am really excited,” Dubois told Dev Sahni in the Unibet Lowdown.

“It was a good year and a kickstart to the comeback and everything went well. I am just looking forward to the future now, a new year, a new start and a new beginning.

“That [the Bryan match] is a fight that is going to happen. It is a fight I want and a title I want. Things are ticking over at the moment and it will hopefully go that way.

“I definitely fancy it. Since last year when it was mentioned to me I wanted it straight away. It has got to happen this year and I am more than ready, whether it is in England or the US, I want to get my hands on that title and bring it home.

“It is a step in the right direction for me,” reasoned Dubois, who went on to reveal that a brief assessment of the unbeaten Bryan did little to dampen his enthusiasm over his prospects in the fight.

“I’ve checked him out, of course, and he is not that impressive to watch. I just see somebody standing in my way if we get it on. Fingers crossed, we will.

“It will be fun, the whole show will be great and I want to take everyone on this trip with me, this ride to go further than we have been before and keep the momentum moving.

“I only see myself beating him and it is what I am trained to do. I can definitely knock him out and everyone knows I only fight one way.”

Claiming the WBA belt would put Dubois right in the thick of the elite heavyweight mix and place his name into the pecking order to challenge the super champion, who is currently Oleksandr Usyk and potentially Tyson Fury, the WBC king.

“Of course, whoever has the belts I want to face them. I am really excited and what is on the horizon is going to be good. I am determined to go for it now and look good in every performance I have, whether it is against Bryan or someone else.

“I am going to be explosive, devastating and really look the business.”

To watch Dev Sahni’s full Unibet Lowdown interview with Daniel Dubois on YouTube, click here

Images are free to use, please credit: Queensberry Promotions

DEERFIELD BEACH, FL (January 8, 2022)—The World’s Greatest Boxing promoter, Don King, is coming home to Warren, Ohio in spectacular fashion as he has put together a blockbuster championship night of boxing on Saturday, Jan. 29.

Tickets for the night of boxing set for the W.D. Packard Music Hall in Warren, OH are on sale at Ticketmaster or the W.D. Packard Music Hall.  The tickets will be priced at $550, $350, $250, $175 and $80. 

Homecoming At Last! The fight for the forgotten people (the homeless, poor, and downtrodden people) will benefit from this championship doubleheader.

The main event will pit WBC Cruiserweight Champion Ilunga Junior Makabu (28-2 with 25 KOs) and the number one challenger, WBC Silver Champion Thabiso Mchunu (23-5, 13 KOs).   The winner is hopeful of the opportunity to fight World Champion Canelo Alvarez.

In addition to Makabu-Mchunu, King has been busy working the phones to put together two special attractions and two other championship fights.

WBA World Heavyweight Champion Trevor Bryan (21-0, 15 KOs) will be featured in a co-main event special attraction.

The two championship fights will showcase the NABA Cruiserweight title as Johnnie Langston (9-3, 3 KOs) of Sarasota, FL will square off against Nick Kisner (22-5-1, 6 KOs) of Baltimore, MD.

The NABA Middleweight Championship will be up for grabs as local product Michael Moore (18-3, 8 KOs) of Cleveland, OH will meet Anthony Lenk (17-7, 7 KOs) of Niagara Falls, NY.

King hopes to add to this spectacular card in the coming days.

Aaron Aponte has signed a promotional deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.
 
Aponte (4-0 2 KOs) has impressed in his early outings in the paid ranks, turning pro in October 2020 on home turf in Florida with a first round KO before appearing on one of the biggest stages in the sport in his second outing, on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez’s clash with Avni Yildirim at the Hard Rock Stadium home of the Miami Dolphins in February.
 
‘The Alien King’ made it three wins from three with victory on the undercard of Demetrius Andrade’s clash with Liam Williams in April, and in August recorded a second stoppage win in his first fight outside the Sunshine State at the Hulu Theater in New York.
 
The 20 year old former amateur standout will move his assault on the pro game into a new gear in 2022, and the Peter Kahn managed starlet cannot wait to get going.
 
“First and foremost, I want to thank God because without him none of this would be possible,” said Aponte. “I want to thank my parents who have dedicated themselves to making me successful. Thank you to all the coaches I’ve worked with over the years to get to this point.
 
“I have the best manager in the sport Peter Kahn and now with best promotional company in the world in Matchroom and Eddie Hearn. There is no stopping me from becoming the next face of boxing. The Alien King has arrived.”
 
“I am delighted to welcome Aaron to the team,” said Hearn. “We’ve had the pleasure of having Aaron on two cards in Florida and even in his infancy in the paid ranks, this young man has shown that he has both the in-ring talent and growing fan base to become a real force in the sport. We look forward to his journey continuing in 2022 and beyond, and Aaron rising to all challenges we put in front of him.”

Luis Nunez stopped Carlos Arrieta the 10th and final round in a scheduled 10-round junior lightweight bout at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.

In round three, Arrieta was starting to swell under the left eye.

In round nine, Nunez hurt Arrieta with a right hand and followed up with a hard flurry that rocked Arrieta, and the fight was stopped at 1:41.

Nunez, 128 1/4 lbs of Nagua, DR is 16-0 with 12 knockouts. Nunez, 129 1/4 lbs of Truillo Alto, PR is 14-1.

“The plan was to work the body and to break him down and that’s what we did,” Nunez said. “I saw the right hand was landing and I kept throwing it and trying to set him up for it and attacking until we got what we wanted in the final round. It was a great shot and great win for my career. It’s the way I wanted to close the fight.”

“I thought it was a quick stoppage,” Arrieta said. “I was a little stunned, but I could have continued. I didn’t want the fight to be stopped. He was a strong fighter, a true warrior. He’s a very good fighter and was very effective with the right hand.”

Nuñez said he is ready to go back down to 126 pounds after contesting his first professional fight in the 130-pound super featherweight division. “I fought for most of my career at 122 so 126 is where I belong,” he said. “I felt strong at this weight [super featherweight] but 126 is the weight for me.”

He added: “I knew he was a tough fighter and I’m not surprised the fight went as it did. He came to fight, and we gave the fans a good fight.”

Eranosyan Decisions Castillo

Otar Eranosyan won an eight-round unanimous decision over Starling Castillo in a lightweight bout.

Eraosyan dropped Castillo twice in round one. The first was a counter right. The second came from a huge left that hurt Castillo, and a follow up combination sent him to the canvas.

Eranosyan landed 153 of 605 punches; Castillo was 102 of 430.

Eranosyan, 135 lbs of The Georgia Republic, won by scores of 79-71 and 80-70 twice and is now 11-0. Castillo, 135 lbs of Dominican Republic is 16-1.

“We work on the left hook in training and when the opening presented itself I landed the left hook on the (first) knockdown,” said Eranosyan, ranked No. 7 by the WBA at 130 pounds, who fought six times in 2021. “It’s fine that he got up. This is pro boxing. We train for 12 rounds, 10 rounds, eight rounds, however long it takes we will be there.

“I feel great about my performance. This is why I train like I do and fight as hard as I do for nights like these.”

“I’m ready for all the champions. Bring them on,” Eranosyan said. “Shakur Stevenson, Oscar Valdez, I’m ready for all of them. I’m getting better and better each fight and I’m ready now to face the best. I know that with more performances like these, soon I will be champion of the world.”

Foster Decisions De Los Santos

In a battle of undefeated junior lightweights,. William Foster III won an eight-round split decision over Edwin De Los Santos.

It was a sloppy fight with a lot of holding on the inside, mostly be De Los Santos.

In round four, De Los Santos was deducted a point for holding the head. De Los Santos was also cut over the left eye in the round. Foster was able to create space and land solid shots in the second half of the fight, and won by 77-74 twice, while De Los Santos won a card 77-74.

De Los Santos landed 125 of 421 Punches; Foster was 117 of 488.

Foster, 129 1/4 lbs of West Haven, CT is now 14-0. De Los Santos, 129 lbs of Santo Domingo, DR is 13-1.

“I was pressuring him the whole time and I knew he was slowing down and eventually I would get to him,” said Foster, who kept moving forward as the fight progressed and dictated and landed the more powerful punches. “I thought it was the right decision because I was landing more shots as the fight went on.”

The 28-year-old Foster – the younger brother of 20-0 professional light heavyweight prospect Charles Foster – was surprised with how fast De Los Santos started. “I knew I had to stay calm, and I adapted and my experience allowed me to adjust to what was happening,” Foster said. “He wasn’t devastating, and the punches never hurt me. I knew he would slow down and when he did, I began to land my shots and had success with my pressure.”

Regarding the point deduction in the fourth, De Los Santos disagreed with the referee’s decision. “I didn’t think the point should have been deducted,” said De Los Santos, who had scored stoppages in his last seven fights. “I thought I should have been warned first.

“I thought it was a close fight, but I thought I did enough to earn the victory. I was landing the harder shots throughout and he never hurt me.”

Added De Los Santos: “He was a little awkward and he came with a little more than we thought he would, but I still thought I won. He was aggressive and maybe I slowed down a little as the fight went on, but I still thought I was landing. This is a setback but I’ll learn from this and come back better.”

VERONA, N.Y. (Jan. 7, 2022) — WBO light heavyweight world champion Joe Smith Jr will make his first title defense against an unlikely contender. British puncher Callum Johnson tested positive for COVID-19, so Smith will now face Steve Geffrard on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Turning Stone Resort Casino and LIVE on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

In the 10-round co-feature, featherweight contender Abraham Nova (20-0, 14 KOs), who was originally slated to fight Jose Enrique Vivas, will fight Dominican veteran William “El Gago” Encarnacion (19-1, 15 KOs) after Vivas dropped out with an injury.

“I give Steve credit for taking this fight on short notice,” Smith said. “He is a tough guy, and I expect him to bring everything he has for this opportunity. I’m ready to fight regardless of who is in the ring with me. My goal is the same, which is to defend my world title and keep it on Long Island where it belongs.”

Geffrard said, “This is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s crazy how boxing works. One moment I’m thinking about boxing on a local show, then the phone rings for a chance to fight for the WBO world title on ESPN. Unreal!”

Smith (27-3, 21 KOs), the fighting pride of Long Island, won the title last April with a majority decision over Maxim Vlasov. His proposed October return was postponed due to a COVID-19 diagnosis, and with Johnson out, he turns his attention to Geffrard (18-2, 12 KOs), a 31-year-old native of Miami, Florida.

Geffrard is a nine-year pro who has won 18 straight fights since starting his career 0-2. He upped his record to 18-2 last March, winning an eight-round unanimous decision over longtime contender Denis Grachev. Geffrard had a fight scheduled for Jan. 8 in Delray Beach, Florida, but the “South Florida Cinderella Man” jumped at the chance to fight Smith on eight days’ notice.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, tickets priced from $49 to $89 are on sale now and can be purchased at the Turning Stone Resort Box Office, charge by phone by calling 800.771.7711 or online at Ticketmaster.

About Turning Stone Resort Casino

Host of the January 15^th event, Turning Stone Resort Casino is a Forbes Four-Star Award-winning destination resort, which continues to distinguish itself as a premier venue for fight-of-the-year caliber boxing. Turning Stone features world-class amenities including The Lounge with Caesars Sports, a state-of-the-art sports book in partnership with Caesars Entertainment, five hotels, more than 20 signature dining options, two spas, a 125,000 square foot Las Vegas style gaming floor, multiple entertainment venues, five golf courses, and several bars and lounges offering live entertainment every weekend.  Additionally, Turning Stone is the Official Resort Casino of the International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend. The partnership is a multifaceted initiative to spotlight boxing throughout the entire region. The program includes a series of boxing events at Turning Stone that culminate every year in June with an elaborate and bigger-than-ever International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend celebration.  International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend will be held June 9 – 12, 2022.

As an increasing number of athletes and performers now require ticketholders to be vaccinated, Turning Stone has updated its health and safety protocols for the Event Center, The Showroom and Exit 33 nightlife venues to align with industry health and safety protocols.  All ticketholders 12 years or older are required to provide proof of vaccination to attend any event at the Turning Stone Event Center or The Showroom. Children 11 years or younger who are not vaccinated are required to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of the event and will be required to wear face coverings while at Turning Stone. Guests visiting areas other than the Event Center, The Showroom and Exit 33 nightlife venues at Turning Stone are not required to provide proof of vaccination. All guests visiting Turning Stone are required to wear masks.

January 7, 2022: After 6 weekends of unrivaled boxing on the platform brought 2021 to a spectacular close, DAZN, in partnership with Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions, announces EIGHT premium fight nights across the U.S. and UK to kick off a busy 2022 of global boxing on DAZN.

Saturday, February 05: Jessie Vargas vs. Liam Smith – Headlining the event is former two-weight world champion Jessie Vargas Vs. former WBO light-middleweight champion Liam Smith with Rungvisai Vs. Cuadras fighting for the vacant WBC Super-Flyweight title also on the card. The show will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Thailand).

Saturday, February 12: Daniel Jacobs Vs. John Ryder – Super-middleweight John Ryder looks to step up in 2022, taking on two-time middleweight world champion Daniel Jacobs in the UK. The event will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

Saturday, February 19: Jaime Munguía vs. D’Mitrius Ballard – Mexican middleweight Jaime Munguía takes on D’Mitrius Ballard in a rescheduled middleweight battle between the pair for the WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title. The event will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding Mexico).

Sunday, February 27: Lawrence Okolie – WBO cruiserweight champion Lawrence Okolie will defend his belt for the second time at the end of February with the opponent to be announced soon. The event will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

Saturday, March 05: Estrada vs. Chocolatito III – Juan Francisco Estrada and Román ‘Chocolatito’ González run it back once more for a highly anticipated trilogy fight for the WBA and The Ring Super Flyweight titles. The event will be live worldwide on DAZN.

Saturday, March 12: Leigh Wood vs. Michael Conlan – Leigh Wood defends his new WBA belt for the first time after producing a 12th-round knockout against Xu Can at Fight Camp, now facing WBA ‘interim’ featherweight champion Michael Conlan. The event will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

Saturday, March 19: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Michael McKinson – Knockout artist Vergil Ortiz Jr. looks to make it 19-0, taking on flawless British prospect Michael McKinson in the first defense his WBO International welterweight title. The event will be live worldwide on DAZN.

Saturday, March 26: Kiko Martinez vs. Josh Warrington II – Spanish two-weight world champion Kiko Martinez puts his newly acquired IBF featherweight belt on the line against old foe Josh Warrington – who actually beat the champion back in 2017. The rematch will be live worldwide on DAZN (excluding New Zealand and Australia).

“After a stacked fall fight schedule on DAZN to close out 2021, we’re committed as ever to maintain that pace with our partners and thrilled to announce an unrivalled start to 2022 – a year that will see new matchups constantly added as we continue to deliver nonstop boxing action to subscribers and fight fans all around the world,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN.

“In addition to the live boxing schedule, we also look forward to ramping up our original content slate, featuring even more of the most compelling storylines in and around boxing, daily drops of The DAZN Boxing Show, and much more to be unveiled in the new year.”

“We ended 2021 with a bang and I can’t wait to get started in 2022,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “It’s going to be such an exciting year for Matchroom and DAZN with massive events all over the world, and I’m delighted with the early schedule we’ve put together – unifications, World title action and career-defining nights; there’s so much drama packed into these nights, and we’ve got plenty more to add soon.”

“Golden Boy finished off 2021 with incredible, action-packed fights on DAZN headlined by some of the biggest stars in the sport, Vergil Ortiz, Jr., Jaime Munguia, and Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez. These fighters are the future of boxing and we are delighted to continue to work with DAZN in 2022 on the upcoming events of these fighters,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman & CEO of Golden Boy.

“We are starting 2022 with the announcement of Jaime Munguia vs. D’Mitrius Ballard on February 19 and Vergil Ortiz, Jr. vs. Michael McKinson on March 19. These events are going to be full of non-stop action, featuring the fan-friendly styles of Munguia, Ballard, and Ortiz, Jr.’s incredible knock-out power. 2022 will be an exciting year of boxing for all fight fans.”

Further fights and full undercard details to be announced shortly.

About DAZN Group

DAZN Group is one of the fastest growing sports media companies in the world. Headquartered in the UK and with employees in over 25 countries, our businesses touch every aspect of the way fans engage with sports; from production, through to content distribution and commercialisation. DAZN Group is home to DAZN, the?leading global sport?destination, as well as the popular sport portal, DAZN News. DAZN is leading the charge to give sports fans around the world access to sport anytime, anywhere. DAZN guarantees affordable access on most connected devices including smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming sticks, smartphones, tablets, PCs and game consoles. DAZN is now live in more than 200 countries and territories after first launching in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Japan in 2016. Visit www.dazngroup.com for more information.

ORLANDO, Fla. – January 6, 2021 – Exciting rising prospect Luis Nuñez (15-0, 11 KOs) and fellow undefeated power-puncher Carlos Arrieta (14-0, 8 KOs) both made weight Thursday, a day ahead of their 10-round super featherweight main event on ShoBox: The New Generation this Friday, January 7, live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT from Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Fla.

The co-feature pits hard-hitting Starling Castillo (16-0, 12 KOs) against ShoBox returnee Otar Eranosyan (10-0, 6 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout. In the telecast opener, knockout artist Edwin De Los Santos (13-0, 12 KOs) battles William Foster III (13-0, 9 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight fight.

The three-fight telecast is promoted by Sampson Boxing.

FINAL WEIGHTS

Super Featherweight 10-Round Bout

Luis Nuñez – 128 ¼ pounds

Carlos Arrieta – 129 ¼ pounds

Referee: Frank Gentile; Judges: Fredrick Fluty, Erik Larsen, Alexander Levin

Lightweight Eight-Round Bout

Starling Castillo – 134 ¾ pounds

Otar Eranosyan – 135 pounds

Referee: Christopher Young; Judges: Fredrick Fluty, Erik Larsen, Efrain Lebron

Super Featherweight Eight-Round Bout

Edwin De Los Santos – 129 pounds

William Foster III – 129 ½ pounds

Referee: Frank Gentile; Judges: Erik Larsen, Alexander Levin, Efrain Lebron

Note: All refs and judges reside in Florida.

FINAL QUOTES:

Luis Nuñez

“I was first given the nickname ‘Explosive’ by my manager, but due to so many fighters having this nickname, we wanted to find a different nickname. That’s when Sampson came with the nickname ‘The Twist’ and he played the music and showed me the video, and that’s where it all started. Honestly, I’m not sure what my opponent will think when he sees me doing the twist. Maybe he will think I’m a dancer, or he’ll take it as a joke. But it doesn’t bother me what my opponent thinks about me.

“From my understanding, Chubby Checker [who originated The Twist] was good friends with Sampson [Lewkowicz]. When I saw the dance, it’s something that stuck with me. So, I want to represent the name ‘The Twist,’ and I want to make it big. It’s really an old song from the 1960s, but I’m going to bring more light to it and bring it back.

“I’m excited to go toe-to-toe with Arrieta and to give a good fight for the viewers. I do understand that my opponent is very experienced and a very good fighter, but I’m preparing to come out victorious. We’re going to analyze, fight, punch, and if a knockout comes, it comes.

“I want to thank [Chris] Colbert for giving me the opportunity to spar with him. I really appreciated the opportunity. I liked the session because Colbert is a classy fighter and sparring with him helped me prepare for this fight. Even though he’s from a heavier division, we were going at it.

“I know I had the opportunity to finish Jayvon Garnett in the later rounds in my last fight, but I didn’t feel comfortable moving forward in that moment because my main focus was to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes and lose.”

 Carlos Arrieta

“I’m the type of fighter that adjusts based on my opponent. I can box and I can bang. I’ll adjust to my opponent and fight whichever way I need to. It depends on their style. But I am a fighter that likes to get into wars. My best quality is my speed but I do have enough power to hurt my opponent.

“I’m expecting a great battle with Nuñez. I hope that he’s ready so that we can put on a good show and a spectacle for the fans. I’m ready for whatever Nuñez brings, but if he starts slow and doesn’t wake up, he’s going to have issues.

“As soon as I heard about this fight, I said yes. It’s a very important fight for me. I’m in the big leagues now. It’s an opportunity that I couldn’t let go by.

“It’s true that I haven’t been in the ring in over a year, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been in the gym. I’ve been training non-stop and I’m always in the gym.

“My team has a game plan for how to counter Nuñez’s skills so I am not worrying about that. I have a great team and trust the plan, and I will go out there and put that plan into action.

“On paper, Nuñez is my best opponent to date because he has a great record and is undefeated. I think he just as hungry as I am. But I fought against Ricardo ‘El Matematico’ Nuñez in a really difficult fight. I was cut in that fight and he was a really tough opponent too.

“That fight against ‘El Matematico’ and going through that adversity of being cut matured me. It really helped build my confidence and mature as a fighter. He was a heavy puncher and I was able to withstand his power.”

Starling Castillo

“I have trained for any situation that will appear in the ring. I don’t like talking ahead too much. I will see how his style is once I get into the ring.

“I can’t say whether he’s my toughest opponent. There’s no such thing as a bad rival. He’s there for a reason.

“I learned a lot in my last fight against Juan Carlos Burgos. He’s someone who had a lot of experience, so it was a good learning experience. I made a lot of errors in that fight. We studied the fight and have corrected a lot of the errors that I made, so we learned a lot.”

Otar Eranosyan

“From my last fight on ShoBox, I learned that I can really put on a great show for the fans and for the viewers. But since that fight, I’ve been working a lot on my game. I’ve been trying to improve my leg movements and working on faster movements.

“My amateur career has really helped me. It’s all about the experience I gained. I had around 250 to 300 amateur fights and that gave me all sorts of experience. As a pro, I’ve been able to advance faster than a lot of other prospects because of this. I’ve been able to face tougher opposition earlier in my career because I have the skillset.

“Castillo will be different from my previous opponents because he is a southpaw and he’s taller. He fights a more defensive style than ‘Pork Chop’ [Alejandro Guerrero], who was very offensive. So that created a fight where we went all-in on each other.

“From this point on, I will not have any easy fights. Everything will be very hard. With a win, I will be one step closer to fighting for a world title and of course eventually I want to win the title. I’m 28 years old and I am ready to take on the champions now.

“It doesn’t make any difference to me that I’m on the B-side. I’m not offended in any way. My last fight, I was also the B-side. I don’t feel there’s any difference. I just go out into the ring, do my job and perform how I always do.”

Edwin De Los Santos

“My nickname ‘Grenade’ comes from the fact that when you throw a grenade, it explodes, and it makes a mess and that’s pretty much what my punches do.

“I’m prepared to go rounds, but whenever the opportunity arises and there’s a clean shot, I will go ahead with force. My power is natural. I’ve been knocking people out since I was a kid, despite their experience.

“The fight could go past two rounds, because of my opponent’s experience, but if I catch him that will be it for him.

“A win against Foster will take me to the next level. It’s a dream of mine to fight in the United States and a good performance will really make an impression in the eyes of the public and get my name out there.

“I know my opponent is a really good boxer and he goes in there to fight. We’re working hard as a team to come up with different techniques to take advantage of times when he launches himself and doesn’t cover up, but whatever happens, we can adapt to his way of fighting.”

William Foster III

“I don’t take any opponent lightly. De Los Santos seems like he’s a real good fighter. His resume speaks for itself. It’s impressive. But I’m going to give it my all.

“I’ve faced some really good opponents like Sulaiman Segawa and Donald Smith, but in my eyes, everyone has a flaw. I’m going to exploit his like I exploited the others.

“I’m taller than him. I’m faster. And I believe I’m more knowledgeable. That’s the biggest difference. I have more experience. I’ve fought more impressive opponents than him. Don’t get me wrong. His resume is nice but it’s against opponents that didn’t make him grow as a fighter as much as my opponents made me grow.

“I believe I’ve been tested. Segawa was a really tough fighter. He came to fight. We were throwing a lot of punches and it was a real brawl. He was throwing good combinations.

“This is the type of opportunity that I’ve been waiting for. For a long time. This is one step closer to my goal and to my dream. Which is to be the most dangerous fighter in the world. This will get me right where I want to be. This will be my message to the world that I’m ready to fight and I want to put my name out there and let everybody know who I am.”

# # #

For more information visit www.sho.com/sports follow on Twitter @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, #ShoBox, or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SHOSports  

About ShoBox: The New Generation

Since its inception in July 2001, the critically acclaimed SHOWTIME boxing series, ShoBox: The New Generation has featured young talent matched tough. The ShoBox philosophy is to televise exciting, crowd-pleasing and competitive matches while providing a proving ground for willing prospects determined to fight for a world title. Some of the growing list of the 85 fighters who have appeared on ShoBox and advanced to garner world titles includes: Errol Spence Jr., Andre Ward, Deontay Wilder, Erislandy Lara, Shawn Porter, Gary Russell Jr., Lamont Peterson, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire, Devon Alexander, Carl Froch, Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley, Jessie Vargas, Juan Manuel Lopez, Chad Dawson, Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik, Paul Williams and more. 

Houston, TX (January 6, 2022) Triller Fight Club and entertainment icon, Nick Cannon, today announced the return to the state of Texas for the combat sports and rock concert mega-event, “Triad Combat II: Kubrat Pulev vs. Junior Dos Santos” emanating from the world renowned Toyota Center in Downtown Houston on Saturday, February 26, 2022, and streaming live on FITE  and TrillerFightClub.com.  The highly anticipated event can be ordered now through a TrillerVerz subscription for just $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year by clicking  HERE.  Pre-order the event via the TrillerVerz subscription by Feb. 11 and get a 14-day FREE trial!

Cannon, who served as host of the first-ever Triad Combat event on November 27, 2021, featuring the legendary, hard rock band Metallica, is reprising his role for Triad Combat II, along with coaches; Two-Time Heavyweight Boxing World Champion Shannon ‘Let’s GO Champ’, Briggs (Boxing) and former UFC Light Heavyweight World Champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson (MMA). An International Superstar Musical Act and Ticket Information for the event will be announced shortly.

Said ‘Rampage’ Jackson after the first event, “Triad Combat is here to stay, I think UFC and Bellator should be worried, honestly.”

Included among the accolades received from the international sports media for the first Triad Combat was a Top Ten Combat Sports Event Award in 2021 from the acclaimed, UK based TalkSport.com outlet. The event was also lauded from numerous media platforms as a true game changer in the sports and entertainment industry.

Triad Combat is a revolutionary, new combat team sport which incorporates boxing and MMA rules in an aggressive, fast-paced manner with the fighters competing in a specially designed triangular ring over two-minute rounds featuring professional boxers competing against professional mixed martial arts fighters. The specific motto of leveling the playing field between the two sports utilizing crossover gloves and with holding allowed is meant to offer boxing and MMA fighters an even battleground where neither opponent has a greater advantage.

Triad Combat II will once again be produced by the award-winning Nigel Lythgoe, the Triller Fight Club visionary in addition to the producer and creative force behind ‘American Idol’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’.

Triad Combat II is headlined by the previously announced nine-round epic heavyweight clash between Triad Combat I victor Kubrat ‘The Cobra’ Pulev of Sofia, Bulgaria and former UFC Heavyweight World Champion Junior Dos Santos of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Additionally, previously announced for Triad Combat II is a seven-round cruiserweight fight between former Light Heavyweight Boxing World Champion ‘Bad’ Chad Dawson of New Haven, CT and former UFC Light Heavyweight World Champion Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Four exciting undercard bouts have also been announced for Triad Combat II.

Among the bouts on the undercard, the all-action and always, aggressive professional boxer Armin ‘The Bosnian Prince’, Mrkanovic, (10-3, 5 KOs), of Queens, NY clashes with Joe ‘Stitch Em Up’ Schilling, of Los Angeles, CA in a sure-fire bomb away fight over seven rounds in the light heavyweight division. Mrkanovic makes his long-awaited return to battle, last competing on March 31, 2019, stopping Wilmer Mejia in the third round in the Dominican Republic. A veteran of Bellator and Bellator Kickboxing, ‘blood and guts’ warrior, Schilling had won six fights in a row prior to a loss at Bellator 229 to Tony Johnson.   

Competing in the featherweight division in a scheduled seven round bout at Triad Combat II, heavy-handed boxer and USBA Junior Welterweight Champion, Samuel ‘The Tsunami’ Teah, (18-4-1, 8 KOs), of Philadelphia, PA faces MMA veteran, Jimmie ‘EL Terror’ Rivera, (23-5), of New Jersey. Teah is returning to action following a devastating first round knockout of Larry Fryers on September 17, 2021. Undefeated over a five-year span in the UFC, Bellator, CFFC and WSOF, Rivera looks to bounce back into the win column after a hard-fought loss to Pedro Munhoz on February 27, 2021 at UFC Fight Night.

Also fighting in the featherweight division over seven rounds, veteran boxer and former Toughman World Champion Dakota Linger, (12-5-3, 8 KOs), of Buckhannon, WV, faces MMA fighter Sam Sicilia, (17-11), of Spokane, WA. Fighting at Madison Square Garden on October 31, 2021, Linger battled to a hotly contested draw against heralded and undefeated prospect Mathew Gonzalez over six rounds. Sicilia fights in Triad Combat for the first time following a third-round knockout of Talon Hoffman on August 26, 2021 at the Conquest of the Cage event in his hometown.

Battling in a women’s five-round bantamweight fight, Stephanie Han, (1-0) of El Paso, TX faces Claudia Zamora, (3-2), fighting out of Miami, FL.  Han makes her Triad Combat debut in her home state following her pro boxing debut victory on October 30, 2021, a four round unanimous decision over Isabel Garcia in Las Cruces, NM. Previously riding a three-fight winning streak, MMA fighter Zamora heads into battle following a hard-fought clash with Marina Mokhnatkina on August 19, 2021.

Home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, the Toyota Center is located in Downtown Houston at 1510 Polk Street. Further information can be found on their website at www.ToyotaCenter.com.

Triller Fight Club Social Media

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Twitter: @Triller, @TrillerFight

Facebook: @TrillerFightClub

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LAS VEGAS (January 6, 2022) – RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS® has been extended through 2022, Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions has announced.

RJJ Boxing was the first boxing promotional country to sign a live and exclusive streaming deal with UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. To sign-up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

“Working alongside UFC FIGHT PASS truly has been a tremendous experience in and of itself,” RJJ Boxing president Lisa Veltre said. “Teaming with the UFC organization has made the past few years more enjoyable. The UFC FIGHT PASS team made each show that we produced fun, which helped us love what we did even more.”

During the past three years, despite COVID-19 restrictions and a boxing shutdown at one point, there have been 29 installments of RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS, originating from four different countries — United States. Mexico, Russia, and Japan — including seven states (California, Florida, Washington, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Mississippi).

“We could have easily thrown our hands up during the Pandemic and closed the doors,” Veltre remarked. “Instead, our organization rallied together, along with other promoters, and we pushed forward to keep Roy Jones Jr. Boxing relevant within the boxing community. Taking our events to various cities in Mexico was a slight challenge due to restrictions put upon us because of COVID-19 (i.e., no fans, travel restrictions, Covid testing 24 hours prior to fights) but we are bigger and better than ever and huge part of that is due to Del O Promotions, Terry Hollan, and Guy Taylor.

“I also want to thank our announcers for their contributions. The past few years we’ve worked with Sean Wheelock and James ‘Smitty’ Smith, who is our permanent blow-by-blow announcer, and we brought on Amber Dixon as the new color commentator. Thomas Trieber is our lead ring announcer and Chris Guzzetta from 21 Lakes has been our producer since our first event on UFC FIGHT PASS.”

Several top 15 world-rated boxers have fought on UFC FIGHT PASS such as “Mighty” Aston Palcite, Kazuto Ioka, John “The Phenom” Vera, Santiago “Somer” Dominguez, and Jake “Hurricane” Bornea.

The first RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS event of 2022 is scheduled for February 24 in Mexico, featuring the semifinals of the World Cup Boxing Series “4-Man Lightweight Tournament,” presented by RJJ Boxing.

“2022 is going to be a great year for the RJJ Boxing,” Veltre concluded. “We are going to promote all over the country in different venues. We’re excited to work with different sanctioning bodies for their title belts. These fighters are ready to show the world what they have to offer, and RJJ is excited to help them showcase their talent and celebrate their success.”

INFORMATION:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com

Twitter: @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial

Instagram: @RoyJonesJrBoxing

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Founded in 2013, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years creating exhilarating content for UFC Fight Pass, CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in some of the finest venues across the country and also in Mexico, Russia, and Japan. RJJ Boxing has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®: UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to exclusive, live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features, in-depth interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 17,000 bouts from dozens of combat sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit https://www.ufc.tv/page/fightpass.

DUBLIN – Leading mixed martial arts promotion BELLATOR MMA has today added a number of explosive fights to BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford, taking place at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, on Friday, February 25. 

In what is set to be the biggest Irish female fight ever, a women’s featherweight bout between Northern Ireland’s Leah McCourt (6-1) and Ireland’s most-recent title challenger Sinead Kavanagh (7-5) is set to light up the main card. Plus, a bantamweight main card attraction between home favorite Brian Moore (14-8), whotakes on No. 9 ranked Jornel Lugo (7-0).

The promotion’s explosive return to the Irish capital for BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs Vanderford, sees middleweight world champion Gegard Mousasi defend his crown against undefeated American Austin Vanderford. The co-main event sees Irish star Peter Queally return to action against Manchester, England’s Kane Mousah (13-4) in the lightweight division.

Broadcast details and additional fights are set to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased online from Ticketmaster.ie and Bellator.com.

Sinead Kavanagh will be hoping to respond to a heartbreaking world title loss against Cyborg in her last outing in November at BELLATOR 271. A winner of her two previous BELLATOR outings before facing the pound-for-pound queen, Kavanagh will be looking to get back to her winning ways and live up to her “KO” moniker in front of the 3Arena crowd.

Currently riding a five-fight win streak, Northern Ireland’s McCourt returns to action following a dominant display in a unanimous decision victory against Jessica Borga during her last outing at BELLATOR 267 in October. Now sitting at No. 4 in BELLATOR’s featherweight rankings, a win at the expense of her opponent on Feb. 25 will go a long way towards moving “The Curse” one step closer to a BELLATOR world title shot against incumbent champion, Cris Cyborg.

Brian Moore’s long-awaited Dublin return will see the Wexford fighter go toe-to-toe with No. 9 ranked bantamweight Jornel Lugo. “The Pikeman” will be hoping the home support helps him hand Lugo his first professional defeat and in doing so climb into the official bantamweight rankings for the first time. Lugo has won all four of his bouts under the BELLATOR banner, including an emphatic first round submission win against Keith Lee at BELLATOR 265 earlier this year.

Several additions have been confirmed for the  preliminary card including a bantamweight bout between Welshman Brett Johns (17-3) and Khurshed Kakhorov (8-0). Johns makes his return to European soil looking to make a statement in a must-see match-up against the undefeated Kakhorov. MMA veteran Johns boasts an impressive 17 wins from his 20 professional fights, while Kakhorov has won each of his first eight bouts, including a dominant unanimous decision win in his BELLATOR debut against Jair Junior at BELLATOR 267 in October. 

England’s No. 5 ranked Fabian Edwards (9-2) is set to make his return to the cage in Dublin when he takes on Marian Dimitrov (10-2). “The Assassin” won his first nine professional fights and established himself as one of the rising stars in BELLATOR’s middleweight division. He will be looking to bounce back from a defeat in his last fight against Dublin title challenger Austin Vanderford at BELLATOR 259 in May.

Ireland’s Danni McCormack (5-0) returns to action fresh from her win at the 3Arena in November against Audrey Kerouche, when she faces Stephanie Page (5-3) in a strawweight bout. The preliminary card  also features a welterweight bout between Italian Stefano Paterno (13-4-1) and BELLATOR debutantLuca Poclit (6-1) and a featherweight fight between Wales’ Scott Pedersen (1-2) and Ireland’s Nathan Kelly (3-2).

Rounding out the additions to the preliminary card is a featherweight affair between up-and-coming Irishman Ciaran Clarke (4-0) and BELLATOR debutant Abou Tounkara (7-2).

Fans can see the updated card for BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs Vanderford below:

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BELLATOR 275: MOUSASI VS. VANDERFORD MAIN CARD:

Middleweight World Title Main Event: #C-Gegard Mousasi (48-7, 2 NC) vs. #1-Austin Vanderford (11-0)

Lightweight Bout: #5-Peter Queally (13-6, 1 NC) vs. Kane Mousah (13-4)

Women’s Featherweight Bout: #5-Sinead Kavanagh (7-5)vs. #4–Leah McCourt (6-1)

Bantamweight Bout: Brian Moore (14-8) vs. #9-Jornel Lugo (7-0)

BELLATOR 275: MOUSASI VS. VANDERFORD PRELIMINARY CARD:

Bantamweight Bout: Brett Johns (17-3) vs. Khurshed Kakhorov (8-0)

Lightweight Bout: Charlie Leary (17-11-1) vs. Davy Gallon (19-7-2)

Featherweight Bout: Ciaran Clarke (4-0) vs. Abou Tounkara (7-2)

Middleweight Bout: #5-Fabian Edwards (9-2) vs. Marian Dimitrov (10-2)

Welterweight Bout: Stefano Paterno (13-4-1) vs. Luca Poclit (6-1)

Strawweight Bout: Danni McCormack (5-0) vs. Stephanie Page (5-3)

Lightweight Bout: Junior Morgan (3-0) vs. Darragh Kelly (Pro Debut)

Featherweight Bout: Scott Pedersen (1-2) vs. Nathan Kelly (3-2)

*Card subject to change.

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

Updated schedule of BELLATOR events

Sat. Jan. 29 // BELLATOR 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky // Footprint Center // Phoenix, AZ

Fri. Feb. 19 // BELLATOR 274: Gracie vs. Storley // Mohegan Sun Arena // Uncasville, CT

Fri. Feb. 25 // BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford // 3Arena // Dublin, IRE

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About BELLATOR

BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. In the United States, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc., owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS, and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple®, Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku®, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One and PlayStation®4. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. Viewers can also watch on computers at Showtime.com. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 6, 2022) – Reformed street icon, Freeway Rick Ross, is excited to announce he’s entering the world of boxing as an adviser. Ross has signed five prize fighters to his company Team Freeway Boxing and plans to further their careers with the help of well respected boxing businessman, Rick Glaser.

Undefeated prospects Nafear Charles, VeShawn Champion, Erick Kedar Gianous, and Alvin Varmall Jr., who has one loss, along with former contender Anthony Peterson, is the team Freeway Rick has started to develop. After getting a second chance at life, the former drug trafficker, now author of two books, believes he has the right mindset to help young fighters reach their greatest potential in the ring.

“Why get involved in boxing one might ask, I love the sport, and the respect and admiration I have for fighters is the reason why I like the boxing so much, and why I want to work with fighters,” said Freeway Rick, who today is a national motivational speaker. “It takes so much to be a fighter, and even more to be great. I believe my life experience and the wisdom I’ve gained will help these young men become great.”

“When Freeway and I sat down in late October for three days of meetings, I realized all the things we shared in common, in life, and in business, and that is a very good foundation for a solid business relationship,” stated, Rick Glaser, who will be advising Freeway with his business decisions. “After those three days of meetings, we decided to work together in a collaboration to further Freeway’s boxing interests. Freeway will not only be an advisor to the fighters, but he will also mentor them in the lessons of life, as he’s an excellent communicator who is a nationally respected motivational speaker. I’ve been in this business for 31-years and I know Freeway will be successful in his boxing efforts, because of his general business acclaim, his love of boxing, and the respect and admiration he has for fighters, as Freeway really understands the risks that fighters take, and the rewards and awards they seek.”

In addition to working with blue chip prospects, Freeway has plans to help fighters looking for a second chance in their careers, fighters who might have had a bad situation derail their progress.

“My life mission now is to be the best person I can be every day by giving back to society, for the second chance society gave me,” continued Freeway Rick, who was released from prison in 2009. “Like everyone in boxing, working with world champs, top contenders, and blue-chip prospects is everyone’s game plan, and that’s great, as that is my goal too, but I also want to help the fighter that may have lost a fight and his promoter or manager kicked him to the curb. I know that if a good fighter that is a quality person gets kicked to the curb after a loss, I should be their first phone call.”

Nafear “No Fear” Charles (8-0-1, 7 KOs), is a 21-year-old right-handed lightweight that stands 5’9” and fights out of Philadelphia, PA.

Freeway Rick Ross is a man who has turned is life around and I couldn’t be happier to have him guiding my career,” stated Nafear Charles. “We connected right away and I’m comfortable with the way everything is going. He’s got a lot of knowledge and I look up to him as a mentor.”

VeShawn Champion (2-0, 1 KOs) is a 6’1” welterweight who fights out of the southpaw stance and hails from Dayton, OH. The 23-year-old has great boxing skills to go along with his high ring IQ.

“Everyone knows the name Freeway Rick Ross and I know he’s going to be great in boxing when it’s all said and done,” VeShawn Champion said. “The future is bright for me, and Freeway is a big part of that bright future.”

Erick Kedar Gianous (3-0, 1 KOs), age 22, resides in Denver, CO, fights orthodox and stands 6’1” while campaigning in the middleweight division.

“I have a lot of respect for Freeway Rick,” said Gianous. “He’s shown he’s an elite businessman with a lot of knowledge. I’m happy that he’s going to be guiding my career with a solid team behind him.

Alvin Varmall Jr. (16-1-1, 13 KOs), the right-handed slugger stands 5’8” and fights in the light heavyweight division. At 29-years old, Varmall Jr. fights out of New Orleans, LA.

“I’m a prime example of a fighter that was looking for a second chance, and Freeway Rick has given me that chance,” said Alvin Varmall Jr. “I know with a few more fights I’ll be right back in the mix.”

Anthony Peterson (38-1-1, 24 KOs), a former super lightweight contender who is coming off an impressive win in August of 2021, is looking to rejuvenate his career. His only loss was to Brandon Rios in 2010, a fight in which Peterson loss by DQ.

“I’m hungry to show the world that I’m worthy of a big fight,” said Peterson. “I’m very grateful to Freeway Rick for helping me get back in the game. He’s given me great words of encouragement and I’m going to show him I still got a lot of fight left in me.”

“Society gave me a second chance and I thank society for that every day by doing little things that no one hears about,” concluded Freeway. “I don’t seek publicity for those things, I just want good results for people I help with those efforts, and that’s what I plan to do with the fighters I sign.”

Any fighters looking for representation please contact Freeway Rick Ross or Rick Glazer at TeamFreewayBoxing.com.

Salita Promotions proudly announces the signing of Grand Rapids, Michigan-based 2021 USA National Amateur Welterweight Champion Joshua “Double J” Pagan to a promotional contract.

After starting boxing at age 13, in honor of his trainer/father Tony who also boxed, Pagan had approximately 90 fights as an amateur, culminating in winning three State Golden Gloves Championships and this year’s USA national Championships in Shreveport, Louisiana.

A smooth boxer with a mean streak, 21-year-old Pagan will make his professional debut on Saturday, January 22, 2022, in the Lincoln Ballroom of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, Michigan, as Salita Promotions returns for another instalment of their popular “Detroit Brawl” series of professional boxing shows.

“I’ve been part of the amateur boxing game for a while now,” explained Pagan. “It’s time to challenge myself again and start something new. Pro boxing is the same sport, but a different game. I want a new challenge.”

The young phenom will face Steubenville, Ohio’s Glenn Mitchell (3-6, 3 KOs) in a four-round welterweight battle to support the 10-round middleweight main event featuring WBC #9- and WBO #15-ranked middleweight Hugo “The Boss” Centeno Jr.

“I’ve watched some fights of his on YouTube,” revealed Pagan. “Mitchell is a rugged guy. I can’t overlook him because it only takes on mistake. I’m going in there to get my first win and showcase my skills and show the Detroit fans what I can do.”

A non-stop student of the sport, while working with his father/trainer Tony, Pagan says he’s been sparring more rounds than usual against local professionals and picking up their tricks of the trade to prepare.

“I feel I got a good deal and he seems real straightforward and genuine,” added Pagan about the deal with Salita. “We got hooked up by my good friend Joseph Hicks, who is also fighting on the card. I sent him some of my fights for Dmitriy to watch and he liked what he saw, so he told us to get a hold of him. I want to win a world championship. I’ve always dreamt of being on the big stage and fighting in the big fights. I don’t get nervous in big fights. If anything I get more focused. I’m more than ready and very excited for this new challenge. I’m ready to go. I’m training hard and I will be in the best shape I’ve ever been in on January 22.”

“He seems like a really down-to-earth guy,” added father Tony. “He seems like a good promoter and we think he’ll help us grow and do what we have to do. Joshua’s greatest strength is that he’s willing to work hard and wants to keep learning. Those are his best assets. He never stops learning and he really loves the sport.”

Promoter Salita, who has enjoyed several successes in his mission to help revive Michigan boxing, says Pagan is a talented new addition to his growing stable.

“Joshua is a young new talent with tremendous potential,” said Salita. “He’s a very hard worker in the gym with exceptional boxing skills. He’s a new prospective star from the state of Michigan and I’m happy to be working with him and his father to help them reach his potential. He has a lot of fans coming out to watch his professional debut, which will be against a tough opponent with nine more fights.”

In the night’s co-main event is power-punching undefeated Detroit middleweight “prospect to watch” Marlon Harrington (5-0, 4 KOs) will appear in a six-rounder vs. TBA.

Featured in separate eight-round battles, each against opponents to be announced, will be the always-exciting top super-featherweight contender Alejandro “Pork Chop” Guerrero (12-2, 9 KOs) of Irving, Texas; as well as Detroit super middleweight Winfred Harris Jr. (20-1-1, 10 KOs); and undefeated Houston-based welterweight Quinton Randall (8-0, 2 KOs).

And in a very special six-round pro debut will be Salita Promotions’ most recent promotional signee, popular Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Team USA Captain and bonafide amateur star Joseph “Sug” Hicks Jr., who will begin his fast-track route to potential stardom against TBA.

Tickets for “Detroit Brawl” start at $35 (service fees will apply). Order tickets online or call or visit the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center Box Office (ph: 313.943.2354) at 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn during Box Office hours: Thursday and Friday from 11 am to 4 pm and 5 pm to 8:30 pm on the day of the event. PLEASE NOTE: tickets ordered online will be mailed up to one week prior to event date. Tickets ordered within a week of event will be placed in will call in the box office for pickup. A limited quantity of VIP tickets are also available by calling Lina at 313.529.7604.

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About Salita Promotions

Salita Promotions was founded in 2010 by Dmitriy Salita, a professional boxer and world-title challenger who saw the need for a promotional entity to feature boxing’s best young prospects and established contenders in North America and around the world. Viewers watching fighters on worldwide television networks including Showtime, HBO, ESPN, Spike TV, Universal Sports Network, UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, ESPN+ and MSG have enjoyed Salita Promotions fight action in recent years. We pride ourselves on offering our fighters opportunities inside and outside the ring. Salita Promotions looks forward to continuing to grow and serve the needs of fight fans around the globe.

Check the Salita Promotions YOUTUBE CHANNEL for regular updates of the modern world’s greatest fighters, contenders and prospects in action.

TULSA, OK (Jan. 5, 2022) — Mexican action star Rene “El Bravo” Tellez Giron will meet Puerto Rican upstart Luis Melendez in a 10-round junior lightweight showdown Saturday, Jan. 29 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. 
 
Giron-Melendez will serve as the co-feature to the 10-round WBC junior lightweight title eliminator between former title challenger Robson Conceição and undefeated contender Xavier Martinez. Both bouts will air live on ESPN & ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. 
 
The ESPN+-streamed undercard will include the return of undefeated middleweight prospect Nico Ali Walsh (3-0, 2 KOs), grandson of Muhammad Ali, in a four-round bout. Ali Walsh made his professional debut last August with a first-round stoppage at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. Tulsa-born heavyweight prospect Jeremiah Milton (3-0, 3 KOs) will see action on the undercard in a six-rounder. 
 
Giron (16-1, 10 KOs), a 22-year-old rising star from Queretaro, Mexico, emerged from relative obscurity with his December 2019 knockout victory over then-unbeaten 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas. He has won two fights since the Balderas triumph, including a seventh-round knockout over Eduardo Garza last September on the Oscar Valdez-Conceição undercard in Tucson, Arizona. Melendez (17-1, 13 KOs), winner of 15 straight fights since a controversial split decision loss, had a busy 2021. He picked up seven victories in three months in Colombia, then returned to the States with a flourish. Melendez won an eight-round decision over Thomas Mattice at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas last November, a career-best victory that earned him the co-feature slot against Giron.
 
“I told my manager, Frank Espinoza, that I am ready to fight any junior lightweight out there,” Giron said. “Melendez answered the call, and we’re going to give the Tulsa fans a great fight. Whenever you have a Mexican versus a Puerto Rican, it can’t help but be toe-to-toe.”
 
Melendez said, “I jumped at this opportunity without hesitation. I’m thankful for this platform, and I will put the 130-pound division on notice. Giron is the man in my way. I am the next Puerto Rican star, and I will prove it in Tulsa.”
 
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Tony Holden Productions, tickets starting at $49.50 are on sale now and can be purchased at tickets.hardrockcasinotulsa.com and at the Box Office at 918-384-ROCK (7625).

New York (January 3, 2022) — Split-T Management has signed highly acclaimed amateur and two-time National Golden Gloves Champion Abel Gonzalez to a management contract. Gonzalez most recently won the 2021 National Golden Gloves in the ultra competitive 178 lb. weight division, taking home the award for Most Outstanding Fighter of the Tournament (178-201+) in the process.

Gonzalez, of Hialeah, Florida, will make his professional debut at super middleweight. He is trained by his father, Ameth, a Guantanamo, Cuba native and lists the Cuban greats Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon as some of his biggest influences in the sport. Gonzalez is a boxer-puncher possessing thudding power and an excellent ring IQ.

“I am very excited to sign with Split-T Management. This is the moment that I have been waiting for. Under Split-T, I feel that I will be able to reach all of my goals and become a World Champion,” said Gonzalez.

“Abel is a very strong young man with a devastating right hand that he gets off quickly and an equally powerful left hook. We expect him to make a seamless transition to the pros and become a major force at 168 pounds and beyond,” said Brendan Segalas of Split-T Management.

Gonzalez, 24, compiled a total record of 65-8 and was a two-time National Golden Gloves Champion; four-time Florida Elite Golden Gloves Champion; three-time Florida PAL Champion and a 2013 Junior Golden Gloves Champion as an amateur. Gonzalez is ready to make his mark in the professional ranks with Split-T Management and his father/trainer firmly behind him.

Las Vegas – UFC^® kicks off 2022 with a thrilling featherweight contenders’ bout that will see No. 5 ranked Calvin Kattar take on No. 8 Giga Chikadze. The co-main event will feature Muslim Salikhov squaring off with Michel Pereira in a battle of surging welterweight strikers.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: KATTAR vs. CHIKADZE will take place Saturday, Jan. 15 from UFC APEX in Las Vegas. The main card will be available on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, as well as simulcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+, starting at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. The prelims will kick off exclusively on ESPN+ at 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT.

Talented striker Kattar (22-5, fighting out of Methuen, Mass.) has firmly etched himself among the featherweight division’s toughest competitors. Throughout his UFC run, he has secured spectacular KO victories over Jeremy Stephens, Ricardo Lamas and Shane Burgos. Kattar now has his sights set on defending his spot in the rankings by becoming the first fighter to knock out Chikadze.

Decorated kickboxer Chikadze (14-2, fighting out of Tbilisi, Georgia) wasted no time cracking into the featherweight elite since joining the UFC roster. Currently riding a nine-fight win streak, he has delivered memorable KO wins against Edson Barboza, Cub Swanson and Jamey Simmons. Chikadze now aims to secure the biggest victory of his career to enter the division’s top five.

Multiple-time Sanda world champion Salikhov (18-2, fighting out of Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia) has proven to be among the most dynamic strikers in the UFC. Currently riding a five-fight win streak, he holds impressive wins over Francisco Trinaldo, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos and Nordine Taleb. Salikhov now looks for another impressive victory to set himself up for a top-15 opportunity.

All-action fighter Pereira (26-11 2NC, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) has proven to be among the most exciting fighters at 170 pounds. Throughout his UFC run, he has earned impressive victories against Niko Price, Khaos Williams and Danny Roberts. Pereira now intends to steal the show in his second UFC co-main event opportunity with another wild finish.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Former women’s flyweight title challengers meet when No. 2 ranked Katlyn Chookagian (16-4, fighting out of Amity Harbor, N.Y. by way of Quakertown, Penn.) faces No. 4 Jennifer Maia (19-7-1, fighting out of Curitiba, PR, Brazil)
• No. 5 ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval (12-6, fighting out of Englewood, Colo.) battles No. 7 Rogerio Bontorin (17-3 1NC, fighting out of Colombo, Parana, Brazil)
• Jake Collier (12-6, fighting out of Cuba, Mo.) locks horns with Chase Sherman (15-8, fighting out of D’Iberville, Miss.) at heavyweight
• Gabriel Benitez (22-10, fighting out of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico) hopes to return to the win column when he meets TJ Brown (15-8, fighting out of Little Rock, Ark.) at featherweight
• Bill Algeo (14-6, fighting out of King of Prussia, Penn.) takes on Dana White’s Contender Series signee Joanderson Brito (12-2-1, fighting out of Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil) at featherweight
• The Ultimate Fighter season 11 winner Court McGee (21-10, fighting out of Orem, Utah) goes for his 10^th UFC win when he meets Ramiz Brahimaj (9-3, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) at welterweight
• Dakota Bush (8-3, fighting out of Cuba, Mo.) faces Dana White’s Contender Series veteran Viacheslav Borshchev (5-1, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif. by way of Volgograd, Russia) at lightweight
• Jamie Pickett (12-6, fighting out of Wilmington, N.C.) takes on UFC newcomer Joseph Holmes (7-1, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) in a middleweight clash
• Brian Kelleher (23-12, fighting out of Selden, N.Y.) meets Saidyokub Kakhramonov (9-2, fighting out of Irvine, Calif. by way of Samarkand, Uzbekistan) in an intriguing bantamweight bout
• Strawweight prospects Silvana Juarez (10-3, fighting out of Tucuman, Argentina) and Vanessa Demopoulos (6-4, fighting out of Phoenix, Ariz.) both vie for their first UFC victories

Visit the UFC.com for information and content to support your UFC coverage.

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About UFC^®

UFC^® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 625 million fans and 178 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 75 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is owned by global sports and entertainment company Endeavor, and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok: @UFC.

About ESPN+

ESPN+ is the industry-leading sports streaming service that offers fans in the U.S. thousands of live sports events, original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks and exclusive editorial content from dozens of ESPN writers and reporters. Launched in April 2018, ESPN+ has grown to more than 17.1 million subscribers.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.

Franchón Crews-Dezurn and Elin Cederroos have signed promotional deals with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom, and the Super-Middleweight rulers will meet for the undisputed title in the spring.
 
WBC and WBO champion Crews-Dezurn (7-1 2 KOs) officially defends her straps for the first time, after the first defense of her WBO and second of the WBC against Alejandra Jiménez in January 2020 was declared a no contest after Jiménez failed a drug test. Crews-Dezurn won the WBC crown in just her fifth pro fight in August 2018, edging out Maricela Cornejo and added the vacant WBO strap in her first defense of the WBC belt when she rematched Cornejo 11 months later.
 
IBF and WBA champion Cederroos (8-0 4 KOs) is ranked #1 with Ring Magazine at 168lbs and the undefeated former pro soccer player-turned elite fighter will be looking to add the Virginia fighter’s belts to her straps and make it back-to-back wins over American fighters in her second fight in the US. The 36 year old made her Stateside bow against Alicia Napoleon-Espinosa in Atlantic City in January 2020, crucially flooring the New Yorker in the second round on the way to unifying the IBF strap with Napoleon-Espinosa’s WBA title by one point on all three cards.
 
“It’s no party without The Heavy Hitting Diva!” said Crews-Dezurn. “I’ve worked and earned everything I have so if Elin or anybody else think they will take shit from me they truly have me mistaken.
 
“I really don’t wanna talk, I’m just going to bring that action for the main attraction and get everything I deserve. It’s about legacy and survival so I appreciate Eddie Hearn, Matchroom, DAZN and Peter Kahn for making this happen. It’s my time to live up to my own expectations I’m great!”
 
“I have been ready for this fight for a long time now,” said Cederroos. I am grateful that Matchroom and DAZN has given us the opportunity to make it real. It going to be a prestigious fight for the world of boxing and a big step for women’s boxing.
 
“Hopefully I will be able to show my true power. We come from the land of the ice and snow.”
 
“This is a great unification fight between two top class fighters,” said Hearn. “I am delighted to welcome Franchón and Elin to the Matchroom stable, and one of them is going to have all the belts at 168lbs in the spring and can use that as a springboard to becoming a household name and a global force.”
 
A date and venue for the undisputed clash between Crews-Dezurn and Cederroos will be announced soon.

CHEATHAM COUNTY, TN (January 4, 2022) – On February 5, 2022, undefeated lightweight prospect, Tyler “Short Fuse” Tomlin (12-0, 8 KOs), of Cheatham County, TN, now has a dancing partner for his highly anticipated return to his hometown region, as he will face, Charlie Serrano (16-6-2, 5 KOs), of Tampa, Florida. The 10-round main event will take place in Clarksville, TN, at the Winfield Dunn Center at Austin Peay University.

“Credit to my opponent for taking the fight as I had over a dozen other opponents turn me down,” said the massive ticket seller, Tomlin. “I know he’s coming to win, but I have other plans. I know what I have to do, and Charlie Serrano is just in the way of my goals for 2022.”

Tomlin is on a three-fight KO streak and looks to be in the running for the 2022 Prospect of the Year.”

“I want to make a big statement in this fight with a dominating performance,” said Tomlin firmly. “I have the support of my whole community who has believed in me since I turned pro. I’m hoping to get the recognition of some of the other top prospects in my division.”

Tomlin, a known ticket seller, is one of the biggest draws in the regional boxing scene and because of that, tickets are extremely limited given the high demand to this event. Tomlin partnering with promoter Lou Dibella now adds even more firepower to one of most dynamic young attractions in boxing business heading into 2022.

“Having Lou DiBella guide us is the last piece we needed to be on a world class level,” said his father and trainer, Darryl Tomlin. “We’re going to put on a show for our local fans, so show up, and we will show!”

“I am honored to Promote this show for Ty,” said One-One-Six promoter, Brandi Bowlin Mccain. “I am very excited we were able to get a venue so close to his hometown. Everyone is town is talking about his fight and this will, without a doubt, be the biggest show I have ever promoted.”

The show is being promoted by One-One-Six Boxing Promotions, in association with Tomlin’s promoter, DiBella Entertainment. Tickets priced $20 and $40, are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (256) 458-2341 or by clicking HERE. The Winfield Dunn Center is located at 601 College St. Clarksville TN, 37044.

LOS ANGELES – Fresh off an 87-second destruction of Mark Lemminger in the co-main event of BELLATOR MMA 266, No. 4-ranked Neiman Gracie (11-2) will strap on the BELLATOR gloves for the 12^th consecutive time when he takes on once-beaten and No. 5-ranked Logan Storley (12-1) in a clash of top-10 170-pounders at BELLATOR MMA 274: Gracie vs. Storley on Saturday, Feb. 19.

In the co-featured bout inside Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., former BELLATOR Welterweight Champion and No. 8-ranked Andrey Koreshkov (24-4) will return to action and open his 2022 campaign against Mukhamed Berkhamov (15-1), a winner of his last seven contests. The main card will also see undefeated Keri Taylor Melendez (5-0) compete at flyweight against former title challenger and No. 6-ranked Veta Arteaga (6-4) and a pair of heavyweights who find themselves tied at No. 8 in the official rankings will open the main card, when undefeated prospect Davion Franklin (4-0) fights Said Sowma (8-2).

SHOWTIME will televise the BELLATOR MMA 274: Gracie vs. Storley main card live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Additionally, the thrilling preliminary fights will stream live on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at 6 p.m. ET/3p.m. PT.

Tickets for BELLATOR MMA 274: Gracie vs. Storley will go on sale Friday, Jan. 7 at both Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com, with a special presale taking place Thursday, Jan. 6.

Five preliminary contests are also official for BELLATOR MMA 274, three lightweight bouts, the first pitting 44-fight veteran Georgi Karakhanyan (31-12-1) against Northern California’s Adam Piccolotti (12-4), a battle between two of the best nicknames in MMA, Mandel “Rat Garbage” Nallo (8-1, 1 NC) and Nick “Nyquil” Browne (12-1), as well as Corey Samuels (3-2), who won in ten seconds in his BELLATOR debut, returning to face undefeated Justin Montalvo (4-0).

The final two preliminary contests will see Isaiah Hokit (0-1) will move down to featherweight in his second BELLATOR outing, when he takes on Albert Birckhead (0-1) in his promotional debut. Lastly, top-flight bantamweight prospect Jaylon Bates (4-0) welcomes Chris Disonell (6-4) back to BELLATOR for the first time since 2019.

Originating from the exalted Brazilian jiu-jitsu family, Gracie scored his first professional TKO when he backed his opponent against the fence and unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches to Lemminger’s head, forcing referee Jason Herzog to stop the contest at 1:27 of the opening round on Sept. 18, 2021, in San Jose, Calif.

The great grandson of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu founder Carlos Gracie, nephew of MMA icon Royce Gracie, and cousin to Renzo Gracie, Neiman Gracie opened his outstanding MMA career by recording nine consecutive wins of then-undefeated opponents, including eight by submission.

A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the 33-year-old BELLATOR veteran currently holds a 9-2 promotional record. While others his age were learning to speak their native language, Gracie began jiu-jitsu training at age four. Fast forward to 18 years later when the multi-faceted fighter earned the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt at 22. Additionally, the Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and Kings MMA fighter captured the 2011 U.S National Jiu-Jitsu title, 2008 Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu crown, and 2007 American National Jiu-Jitsu championship during an illustrious amateur career.

Hailing from Webster, S.D., the hard-hitting Storley commenced his pro vocation with six consecutive knockouts, including five in the initial stanza, en route to 11 straight triumphs overall. Furthermore, “The Storm” will make his ninth consecutive BELLATOR appearance where he currently holds a magnificent 7-1 record.

Like his counterpart on Feb. 19, Storley began wresting at a young age, albeit one year later at age five. Additionally, the Sanford MMA product and former folkstyle wrestler completed a fabled amateur career as a four-time NCAA Division-I champion at the University of Minnesota, as well as a six-time South Dakota High School Activities Association titlist.

The 29-year-old Storley, who holds academic degrees in both business and marketing, thrilled his hometown crowd in his last turn by earning a split-decision victory over Dante Schiro in the co-featured bout of BELLATOR MMA 265 in Sioux Falls, S.D.

BELLATOR MMA 274: GRACIE VS. STORLEY MAIN CARD:

Saturday, Feb. 19 – live on SHOWTIME

9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT 

Welterweight Main Event: #4-Neiman Gracie (11-2) vs. #5-Logan Storley (12-1)

Welterweight Co-Main Event: #8-Andrey Koreshkov (24-4) vs. Mukhamed Berkamov (15-1)

Flyweight Bout: #6–Veta Arteaga (6-4) vs. Keri Taylor Melendez (5-0)

Heavyweight Bout: #8-Said Sowma (8-2) vs.#8–Davion Franklin (4-0)

PRELIMINARY CARD: 

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV

6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT

Lightweight Bout: Georgi Karakhanyan (31-12-1) vs. Adam Piccolotti (12-4)

Lightweight Bout: Mandel Nallo (8-1, 1 NC) vs. Nick Browne (12-1)

Bantamweight Bout: Jaylon Bates (4-0) vs. Chris Disonell (6-4)

Lightweight Bout: Corey Samuels (3-2) vs. Justin Montalvo (4-0)

Featherweight Bout: Isaiah Hokit (0-1) vs. Albert Birckhead (0-1)

*Card subject to change.

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

****

Updated schedule of BELLATOR events

Sat. Jan. 29 // BELLATOR 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky // Footprint Center // Phoenix, Ariz.

Sat., Feb. 19/ / BELLATOR 274: Gracie vs. Storley // Mohegan Sun Area // Uncasville, Conn.

Fri. Feb. 25 // BELLATOR 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford // 3Arena // Dublin, Ireland

About BELLATOR

BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, BELLATOR events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. In the United States, BELLATOR can be seen on SHOWTIME. BELLATOR is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity, and commission relations. BELLATOR is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant ViacomCBS, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.

About SHOWTIME

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly owned subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc., owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network’s authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS, and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Amazon, Apple®, Google, LG Smart TVs, Oculus Go, Roku®, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox One and PlayStation®4. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Amazon’s Prime Video Channels, Apple TV Channels, AT&T TV Now, FuboTV, Hulu, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. Viewers can also watch on computers at Showtime.com. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®. For more information, go to www.SHO.com. 

Boxing’s newest superstar Jake Paul (5-0) put an exclamation point on his 2021 campaign with a highlight reel one-punch knockout of Tyron Woodley on December 18th in Tampa, Florida. The YouTube sensation had previously defeated Woodley via split decision in August.  

With the win Paul went 3-0 on the year and has knocked out each opponent that he has faced in his young career. Only two of his fights have gone past the second round. 

At 24 years old, Paul is already established as one of the top ticket sellers  and pay-per-view stars in boxing. His coach BJ Flores is very impressed with the progress his pupil has made during his two years in the sport. 

“Jake is a superstar. He has exciting one punch power, speed and has an incredible work ethic. He has that X factor. He is can’t miss entertainment”, said Flores.  

“Remember, he is only 5-0. Jake is without question the biggest up and coming star in boxing. He has massive potential. The sky is the limit. We have an excellent team in place. There is much more to come in 2022.”

Paul announced shortly after his most recent fight that he was going to take a short break from the sport and then return in the summer in another massive event.