Las Vegas – UFC^® returns to UFC APEX with a critical strawweight contenders’ bout as No. 4 ranked Mackenzie Dern and No. 6 Marina Rodriguez face off with potential title implications on the line. In the co-main event, exciting welterweights Randy Brown and Jared Gooden lock horns.

UFC FIGHT NIGHT^®: DERN vs RODRIGUEZ will take place Saturday, October 9 from UFC APEX in Las Vegas. All bouts will stream on ESPN+, with the prelims beginning at a special start time of 10 a.m. PT/ 1 p.m. ET and the main card at 1 p.m. PT/ 4 p.m. ET.

Submission specialist Dern (11-1, fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif.) aims to show off her ever evolving skillset and deliver a statement-making performance to secure the first UFC title shot of her career. The owner of the most submissions in UFC strawweight history, Dern has impressed with finishes over Nina Nunes, Randa Markos and Hannah Cifers. She now intends to become the first person to stop Rodriguez and leave no doubt that she is ready for the top of the division.

Rodriguez (14-1-2, fighting out of Santa Catarina, Brazil) looks to add another big name to her resume and jump to the front of the line of contenders for the belt. A signee from Dana White’s Contender Series: Brazil¸ Rodriguez separated herself from the pack with marquee wins over Tecia Torres, Amanda Ribas and Michelle Waterson. She now seeks to keep her momentum going by finishing Dern and breaking into the top five. 

Welterweight finisher Brown (13-4, fighting out of Queens, N.Y.) intends to make the most of his second co-main event spot by earning another signature finish. A well-rounded competitor with 11 of his 13 wins coming by stoppage, Brown has entertained fans with victories over Alex Oliveira, Warlley Alves and Bryan Barberena. He now hopes to notch his fourth win in his last five fights and make a case to break into the rankings.

Gooden (18-6, fighting out of Duluth, Ga.) plans to keep the momentum from his last win going by snagging the biggest victory of his MMA career. A powerful athlete with eight of his last nine wins coming by finish, Gooden made waves in July by landing a highlight reel KO on Niklas Stolze in just over one minute. He now aims to make it two in a row by defeating Brown.

Additional bouts on the card include:

• Exciting flyweights No. 9 ranked Tim Elliott (18-11-1, fighting out of Lee’s Summit, Mo.) and No. 11 ranked Matheus Nicolau (14-3-1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) clash in a bout sure to deliver action
• Top women’s flyweight prospects battle as Sabina Mazo (9-2, fighting out of Redondo Beach, Calif. by way of Medellin, Colombia) meets Mariya Agapova (9-2, fighting out of Pavlodar, Kazakhstan)
• Phil Hawes (11-2, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) looks to remain undefeated in 2021 when he takes on Deron Winn (7-2, fighting out of Gilroy, Calif.) at middleweight
• BantamweightsChris Gutierrez (16-3-2, fighting out of Littleton, Colo.) and Felipe Colares (10-2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) look to steal the show in the prelim feature bout
• Jamie Pickett (11-6, fighting out of Wilmington, N.C.) aims to earn his first UFC win when he takes on Laureano Staropoli (9-4, fighting out of La Plata, Argentina) in a middleweight bout
• Alexandr Romanov (14-0, fighting out of Gagauzia, Moldova) plans to land another signature submission against Jared Vanderaa (12-5, fighting out of Hemet, Calif.) at heavyweight
• Featherweights Charles Rosa (14-5, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) and Damon Jackson (18-4-1, 1 NC, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) meet in a bout with post-fight bonus potential
• Loopy Godinez (5-1, fighting out of Vancouver, B.C., Canada by way of Aguascalientes, Mexico) and Sam Hughes (5-3, fighting out of Everett, Wash.) both seek to secure their first UFC win at strawweight
• Lightweights Steve Garcia (11-4, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) and Charles Ontiveros (11-7, fighting out of Dayton, Texas) intend to kick off the show with a bang

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 166 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 175 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 entertainment, sports and content 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 14.9 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.

ATLANTA (Sept. 30, 2021) — X is about to mark the spot in Downtown Atlanta.

Xander Zayas (10-0, 7 KOs), the 19-year-old Puerto Rican-born prodigy who is the frontrunner for 2021 Prospect of the Year, will fight Dan Karpency in a six-round junior middleweight bout Saturday, Oct. 23 at State Farm Arena. Zayas-Karpency will serve as the co-feature to the “Throwdown in A-Town” main event between WBO junior lightweight world champion Jamel Herring and undefeated former featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson.

Nico Ali Walsh (1-0, 1 KO), grandson of “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali, has an opponent for his second pro bout. Ali Walsh will face James Westley II (1-0), from Toledo, Ohio, in a four-round middleweight tilt.

Herring-Stevenson, Zayas-Karpency and Ali Walsh-Westley II will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. PT.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.

Zayas said, “I am grateful to Top Rank and ESPN for this opportunity. Fighting underneath a main event like Herring-Stevenson, in front of the great Atlanta fans, is an honor. It will also be my first time fighting on ESPN as a co-feature, and I will not disappoint. My goal is to win Prospect of the Year, and I’m coming to Atlanta to put on a spectacular show. Don’t miss it.”

Zayas has been earmarked for stardom since signing with Top Rank as a 16-year-old in early 2019. He turned pro at 17 in October 2019 and notched four first-round stoppages in his first six outings. Zayas has been clocking overtime in 2021, as this will be his fifth appearance of the year. He shut out James Martin over six rounds in February, blew out Demarcus Layton in 56 seconds in April, grinded down Larry Fryers in three rounds in June, and dominated Jose Luis Sanchez over six rounds last month in Tucson, Arizona. Karpency (9-3-1, 4 KOs) has never been knocked out in an eight-year pro career. Zayas has only been the six-round distance twice as a pro, while Karpency has gone eight or more rounds on four occasions.

In undercard action streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ (7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT), Atlanta’s Evan “Yung Holy” Holyfield (7-0, 5 KOs), son of heavyweight legend Evander Holyfield, will take on Charles Stanford (6-3, 3 KOs) in a six-round junior middleweight bout; Atlanta native Roddricus Livsey (8-0-1, 5 KOs) will battle Eric Palmer (12-14-5, 1 KO) in a six-rounder at junior welterweight; Georgia-born prospect Haven Brady Jr. (3-0, 3 KOs) will fight fellow unbeaten Roberto Negrete (3-0, 1 KO) in a four-rounder at featherweight; Chicago’s Antoine Cobb will make his pro debut in four-round junior welterweight bout; Brooklyn-born lightweight Harley Mederos (1-0, 1 KO) will fight in a four-rounder; and recent U.S. Olympian Troy Isley (2-0, 1 KO) will make his professional return in a six-rounder at middleweight.

About State Farm Arena
Home to the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club, the award-winning State Farm Arena opened its doors in October 2018 following the 2^nd largest renovation in NBA history. Inspired by the fans, State Farm Arena is a next-generation venue focused on experience, service and entertainment. With the NBA’s third-largest center-hung scoreboard and an immersive video experience, fan-friendly food pricing and premium restaurant options, Topgolf Swing Suites and celebrity-inspired spaces accessible to every fan, the downtown Atlanta arena stakes its claim as the city’s best sports and live entertainment venue. Named Pollstar’s 2020 Best New Concert Venue, State Farm Arena consistently ranks among the top 10 concert and event venues in the world by and hosts nearly 200 events and nearly 2 million guests annually. For more information on State Farm Arena, log on to www.statefarmarena.com today or follow us on Twitter @StateFarmArena.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (September 30, 2021) – Undefeated Florida-based junior middleweight Josniel “TG” Castro (5-0, 3 KOs) has experienced a long, often difficult trip to get where he is today as he prepares to fight for the fourth time in 2021.

The 24-year-old Castro faces 57-fight veteran Rynell Griffin, of Las Vegas. In the co-featured event on the “Fight Night in Framingham” card, presented by Shearns Boxing Promotions for the benefit of “Fighting Life,” at Sheraton Hotel in Framingham, Massachusetts[BT1] .

It will mark the first professional boxing show ever held in Framingham, a city incorporated in 1700, located in the MetroWest sub-region of Greater Boston, less than 40 miles from Boston.

“Fighting Life” is an after-school youth boxing program and academic empowerment program, available 100-percentfree of charge to students beginning in elementary school through high school education.

High Octane Classics is the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include Platts Landscaping and Shamrock Sports.

Born in Puerto Rico, Castro moved as a baby to Lawrence and years later he escaped the mean streets there by moving to Maine to focus on his boxing career. During most of his young life, he bounced from one foster family to another, homeless other times, eventually he moved to Florida, where his life dramatically changed when he entered DS Boxing in Boca Raton.

“I was getting into trouble in Lawrence and moved to Maine to get on the right path as an adult.” Castro explained. “I had a lot of personal issues. I then moved and trained for a while in Worcester (MA), where I met Chuck Shearns, who became my adviser and later my manager. I’m not worried about this fight because, at the end of the day, I’ll do what I do. I’m going to continue to work hard and figure things out.”

Castro (TG stands for The Gorilla) understands how fortunate he is to have a strong team in his corner. In addition to Shearns, Team Castro includes head trainer Derik Santos, strength & conditioning coach Phil Daru, nutritionist Jose Rojas, and camp coordinator Maureen Shea.

Santos, who owns DS Boxing, has been involved in training, whether as chief cornerman or assistant, the likes of Nate Campbell, Randall Bailey, Dyer Davis, Sergey Kovalev, Adonis Stevenson, Chris Algieri, Yordenis Ugas, Rances Barthelemy, and MMA star Vitor Belfort for his recent fight with Evander Holyfield.

“The goal is for J to be a boxer-puncher,” Santos commented. “He’s kept busy and that’s credit to Chuck. When he first came in, I liked what I saw, but he’d come into the gym for a few days and then be out. I saw him spar and could tell that he was a kid I could help. He had it! I could see it in his eyes, movements, and reactions. He needed a manager, though, to invest in him I spoke with Chuck and liked him right away. Good managers need to keep their ego in check because they aren’t there every day like a trainer. I’m protecting Chuck’s investment and J’s career. Chuck understands and we’ve been in good sync. We communicate well. I believe in J and the synergy I have with Chuck. Everything is working out well for all of us.”

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“J deserves to be where he is based on his work, inside and outside of the ring,” Shearns remarked. “My family and I are proud to represent him. He is extremely talented, works hard and most of all loves to learn and get better. Boxing is not known as a team sport, but we have been very fortunate to have put together a true team of professionals. Coach Derik has been a great match for J’s desire and willingness to learn. I could see it right away. Coach Phil and Coach Jose have him doing and learning things he’s never even thought of. Maureen Shea has become a bit of a quarterback for us and I can’t thank her enough. Although we have been busy, coming up on 6 fights in 12 months, it’s still very early in this journey. That said, when you have a person like him, with the tools he has, matched with a team like this. I just say: Watch Us!

No matter how difficult things get in the ring, nothing compares to the obstacles Castro has overcome to become an undefeated prospect. His future is bright, in large part because of the invaluable support he’s receiving from Team Castro members.

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The 6-round main event will showcase a “graduate” of Fighting Life, Marlboro, MA super lightweight Nelson “Chino” Perez (3-0, 2 KOs), a pat New England Golden Gloves champion who will fight Ryan Venable (2-6).

Hometown favorite Kevin Lewis will make his professional debut in a 4-rounder against a fellow Framingham resident, super middleweight Saul “The Spider” Almeida (0-14-4), one of the top MMA fighters in New England.

A pair of New Haven (CT) fighters will also be in action. Three-time New England Golden Gloves champion, super middleweight Elvis Figueroa (7-0, 4 KOs), and 4-time New England Golden Gloves champion, pro-debuting featherweight Felix Parilla, will fight in 6 and 4-round bouts, respectively, against Texas veteran Larry “Slo Mo” Smith (12-49-2, 8 KOs) and Sidell Blocker (1-11-1).

Also fighting on the undercard in 4-round bouts is Boston heavyweight Wallace Nass Silva (0-2) vs. pro-debuting Sean Evans, of Shrewsbury, MA; Brazilian middleweight Leonardo Ladeira (0-6), of Revere (MA), vs. TBA, and Philadelphia welterweight Jeffrey Torres (7-1, 3 KOs) vs. Framingham’s Jader Alves (0-12).

Priced at $75.00 ringside and $60.00 general admission, tickets are available to purchase online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fight-night-in-framingham-tickets-171408807357, at UpperKuts gym, or from any of the local fighters on the card.

Doors open at 6 p.m. PT, first bout at 7:00 p.m.

Jamie Mitchell has vowed to make her Saturday October 9 WBA Bantamweight World Title showdown a “dark and devastating” experience for reigning champion Shannon Courtenay at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. 

The pair were originally set to clash on the third and final instalment of Matchroom Fight Camp on August 14 before Watford’s Courtenay withdrew after sustaining an injury, but will now lock horns on the huge Liam Smith vs. Anthony Fowler card next week, live worldwide on DAZN.

Mitchell (6-0-2, 4 KOs), who is trained by former pro Dewey Cooper in Nevada, was ranked at No.1 in the USA at Super-Bantamweight in 2016 before turning professional a year later with a points win over another accomplished amateur Dalia Gomez at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. 

‘The Miracle’ has remained undefeated in her seven fights since, picking up stoppage wins over Letrail Solomon, Claudia Vargas Ramirez, Ana Karen Compean and Noemi Bosques, and the 36-year-old heads into her first title fight brimming with confidence.

“I’m called ‘The Miracle’ because I have endured so much in my life that others would never survive,” said Mitchell. “On October 9 there is nothing that Shannon Courtney can do to me that I haven’t already experienced. I plan to take all of my anger, all of my frustration and all of my ill will out on her body.

“I go to the gym every day to train my body. I go to the gym every day because the voices in my head tell me to. I go to the gym to hurt people and I go to the gym to take out my frustration. I fully believe that my work ethic is unmatched and I have full belief that my team and the voices will guide me to victory.

“I have learnt many things in my years of boxing and I feel that my toolbox is a lot bigger than Shannon’s, and if for some unforeseen reason it’s not, I will take that toolbox and use it on her too! With my God-given talent and the voices and in my head, Shannon Courtney is going to need a miracle to escape this fight without choking on her own blood.

“I plan on making it a dark and devastating night for her. Halloween is 22 days after my fight so I’m going to make sure Shannon doesn’t need any makeup! My message to Shannon is that the voices in my head are telling me you have something I want. What I want is that shiny new black and gold WBA belt. That’s what’s going to make us happy and that’s what is going to happen on October 9. I guarantee it!”

Courtenay vs. Mitchell is part of a stacked night of action in Liverpool, former WBO Super-Welterweight Word Champion Liam Smith (29-3-1, 16 KOs) meets 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Rio 2016 Olympian Anthony Fowler (15-1, 12 KOs) in a massive all-Liverpool clash for local bragging rights, Ted Cheeseman (17-2-1, 10 KOs) puts his British Super-Welterweight Title on the line against Troy Williamson (16-0-1, 12 KOs) following his brilliant stoppage win over James Metcalf in Gibraltar, Northampton’s Kieron Conway (16-2-1, 3 KOs) looks to bounce back from his loss to Souleymane Cissokho on the Canelo vs. Saunders undercard when he meets James Metcalf (21-1, 13 KOs), decorated amateur star Peter McGrail makes his highly anticipated professional debut, Tony Bellew-managed Lightweight Luke Willis (10-0, 1 KO) clashes with Norwich’s Rylan Charlton (6-1-1, 3 KOs), two-time World Title challenger Natasha Jonas (9-2-1, 7 KOs) returns after her thrilling fight with Katie Taylor in May, Birmingham Heavyweight hope Solomon Dacres (2-0, 1 KO) steps up against the experienced Kamil Sokolowski (10-22-2, 4 KOs) in just his third fight, Wigan Lightweight Rhiannon Dixon (3-0) takes on Anaelle Angerville (1-1-1) over four rounds and Blane Hyland (4-1) meets Santiago San Eusebio (3-1-2, 2 KOs) in a four round Super-Flyweight contest. 

(Sept. 30, 2021) — Former lightweight world champion Miguel Vazquez continues his march back to contender status this Saturday, Oct. 2 in a 10-round lightweight main event against former world title challenger Oliver “Trombita” Flores at Verite Social Venue in Monterrey, Mexico.

Vazquez-Flores and a full slate of undercard bouts will stream live and exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Vazquez (43-10, 17 KOs) held the IBF lightweight world title for more than four years, from August 2010 to September 2014, and made six successful title defenses. He is 9-6 in his last 15 bouts, a run of fighting top competition that’s included a ninth-round stoppage defeat to current undisputed junior welterweight world champion Josh Taylor and last October’s highly controversial split decision loss to Lewis Ritson. He rebounded from the Ritson disappointment with April’s seventh-round TKO over Isai Hernandez. Flores (30-3-2, 19 KOs), from Leon, Nicaragua, challenged Takashi Uchiyama in 2015 for the WBA super featherweight world title, falling via third-round TKO. He is 3-1 since that setback and has not fought since a second-round TKO win over Rolando Giono in September 2019.

In other streaming action on ESPN+:

The heavyweight co-feature will see American southpaw hopeful Brandon Moore (9-0, 5 KOs) fight hometown favorite Jesus Angel Nerio (15-9-1, 6 KOs) in a 10-rounder.

Mexican junior welterweight puncher Jimerr “Mortero” Espinosa (10-0, 9 KOs) looks to extend his knockout streak to four against Jorge Luis Melendez (14-7-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-rounder.

Rising Cuban contender Neslan “Pitbull” Machado (17-0, 8 KOs) will face the upset-minded Alan “Malagueno” Salazar (11-8-1, 3 KOs) in an eight-rounder at a contract weight of 124 pounds. The 25-year-old Machado previously won the WBA International and WBC Latino belts at 122 pounds. Salazar has lost only once by stoppage.

In an eight-round junior welterweight contest, Christian Uruzquieta (19-4-2, 7 KOs), unbeaten in his last three fights, will take on 30-fight veteran Juan Ocura (13-15-2, 6 KOs).

Featherweight Jonathan “Geo Don” Lopez (4-0, 2 KOs), an 18-year-old phenom from Puerto Rico, will step up in an eight-rounder against Jorge Amaya Diaz (6-1, 3 KOs), who has never been knocked out as a pro.

Dominican junior welterweight standout Hendri Cedeño Martinez (3-0, 3 KOs) will look to notch the third first-round knockout of his young career in a four-rounder against Mexico City native Oscar Moreno (2-2), winner of two straight fights.
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 14.9 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).

ANAHEIM, CA (September 30, 2021) – The pride of Tijuana, Jaime Munguia (37-0, 30 KOs), and the people’s champion “King” Gabriel Rosado (26-13-1, 15 KOs) are set for an all-out middleweight battle at Anaheim’s Honda Center on Saturday, November 13. The highly anticipated event will feature two of the world’s toughest fighters in a fierce clash adding to the longstanding boxing rivalry of Mexico vs. Puerto Rico. The 12-round middleweight fight for the WBO Inter-Continental Middleweight World Championship will be live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico, starting at 6:00 p.m. PT/9:00 p.m. ET.

“We are excited to give fight fans a great show between two warriors of the sport at Anaheim’s Honda Center,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman, and CEO of Golden Boy. “The event is going to be full of non-stop action between two fighters who are willing to leave everything in the ring. It’s going to be a great night for fight fans, another great showing for Golden Boy boxing in Southern California.”

“As one of the premier entertainment venues in Southern California, Honda Center has proudly hosted boxing fans for countless big fights over the years.” said Kim Bedier, Senior Vice President & General Manager of ocV!BE. “We’re excited as an arena to once again work with Golden Boy and showcase championship boxing in Orange County!”

Tickets for Munguia vs. Rosado go on sale Wednesday, October 6 at 10 a.m. PT and are priced at $250, $150, $100, and $50 not including applicable service charges. Tickets will be available for purchase at ticketmaster.com. Please note that California Department of Health guidelines and other protocols relating to admission requirements may be in place for this event, which may include a requirement that all guests show proof of a negative COVID-19 test or full vaccination status.

Munguia vs. Rosado is a 12-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate “The Official Beer of Boxing,” Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle,” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Saturday, November 13, and live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico, starting at 6:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. ET.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #MunguiaRosado.

ABOUT HONDA CENTER
Nestled in the heart of Orange County, Honda Center stands as one of the premier entertainment and sports venues in the country. Owned by the City of Anaheim and managed by Anaheim Arena Management, LLC, the arena is home to the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, and annually hosts dozens of top-name concerts such as The Rolling Stones, Justin Timberlake, Ariana Grande, J. Cole, and Foo Fighters. Since 2005, Anaheim Arena Management/Anaheim Ducks owners, Henry and Susan Samueli, have invested millions of dollars into facility upgrades, continuously improving the guest experience at Honda Center.

LONDON – BELLATOR MMA 267: Lima vs. MVP 2 will be telecast LIVE tomorrow, Friday, October 1 on SHOWTIME in the U.S. and on the BBC iPlayer in the U.K. at 9 p.m. BST/4 p.m. ET, while preliminary bouts will stream on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, the SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel, and on Pluto TV beginning at 6 p.m. BST/1 p.m. ET.

BELLATOR  MMA 267: Lima vs. MVP 2 MainCard:

SHOWTIME (US) / BBC iPlayer (UK) / Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)

Friday, October 1 – 9 p.m. BST/4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT

Welterweight Main Event: #1-Douglas Lima (169.4) vs. #2-Michael Page (170.0)

Featherweight Bout: #5-Leah McCourt (145.8) vs. Jessica Borga (145.8)

Featherweight Bout: Robert Whiteford (144.8)vs. Andrew Fisher (145.8)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Luke Trainer (205.2) vs. Yannick Bahati (206.0)

Lightweight Bout: Yves Landu (154.4) vs. Tim Wilde (155.6)

Preliminary Card: 

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV (US)

BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)

6 p.m. BST/1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

Welterweight Bout: Lewis Long (169.8) vs. Michael Dubois (170.2)

Lightweight Bout: Davy Gallon (155.1) vs. Kane Mousah (155.2)

Flyweight Bout: Elina Kallionidou (124.4) vs. Petra Castkova (125.6)

Welterweight Bout: Jack Grant (169.4) vs. Nathan Jones (170.6)

Featherweight Bout: Fabacary Diatta (145.2)vs. Nathan Rose (145.0)

Strawweight Bout: Chiara Penco (114.8) vs. Katharina Dalisda (115.4)

Bantamweight Bout: Khurshed Kakhorov (134.8) vs. Jair Junior (136.0)

*Lightweight bout between Charlie Leary and Benjamin Brander has been cancelled due to COVID protocols

Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

****

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 service SHOWTIME^®, which features critically acclaimed original series, provocative documentaries, box-office hit films, comedy and music specials and hard-hitting sports. SHOWTIME is available as a stand-alone streaming service across all major streaming devices and Showtime.com, as well as via cable, DBS, telco and streaming video providers. SNI also operates the premium services THE MOVIE CHANNEL^™ and FLIX^®, as well as on demand versions of all three brands. 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 – September 30, 2021 – Major global boxing and media company Probellum can today announce a ground-breaking multi-fight, multi-year co-promotional deal with Wasserman Boxing.

The historic partnership between the two boxing giants will see a number of high-profile events take place in Germany, with the first scheduled for December 3, while further dates are also planned for Berlin in February and Cologne in May.

It means that several spectacular cards will be held in the region, giving fantastic opportunities to German boxers at home and on the international stage, while major stars from around the globe will also be given the chance to compete in Germany.

Wasserman Boxing was created earlier this year after Wasserman announced the acquisition of Team Sauerland, one of the world’s leading boxing promoters. They boast an incredible line-up of fighters, featuring top German talent Vincent Feigenbutz, Abass Baraou, Denis Radovan, Leon Bunn, Patrick Wojcicki and Sophie Alisch, plus a host of international stars including Chris Eubank Jr, Filip Hrgovi? and Mairis Briedis. 

Team Sauerland was founded in 1978 by Hall of Fame legend Wilfried Sauerland and is currently led by brothers Kalle & Nisse Sauerland. They have promoted more than 50 world champions and have broken box office records in Europe, Asia, Africa, the US and Latin America.

The partnership between Probellum and Wasserman Boxing is the latest step in Probellum’s goal to promote the best and biggest fights around the world, regardless of promotional affiliation. Probellum aims to end the fragmentation between rival promoters and distribution platforms, in order to empower fighters and galvanize a global fanbase, whilst investing heavily in grassroots boxing.

“We are super excited to bring such a strong international partner to Germany,”said Kalle Sauerland, Head of Global Boxing at Wasserman. “It’s amazing news for all the Wasserman Boxing fighters and German boxing fans. Many boxers are already in the world rankings and following the difficult Covid times, this will refresh the German boxing scene. We are excited to already announce the first dates and venues for the coming months, which will feature Germany’s finest boxers. This move will give us the strength to once again bring the big international names to Germany.” 

“This is a massive move for German boxing,”said German boxing legend Arthur Abraham. “I faced the biggest names from the US and the UK in Germany during my career to become a global superstar and this will allow the future of German boxing to conquer the world.”

“We’re delighted to enter this ground breaking agreement with Probellum,”said Fahri Ecvet, COO of Global Football and Boxing at Wasserman. “This deal signals the start of a new era for German boxing. Fans can look forward to a series of incredible fight nights, while our Wasserman Boxing fighters will have the platform to become international stars.” 

“We are ecstatic to announce this fantastic co-promotional agreement with Wasserman Boxing,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum. “We have already established major partnerships with promoters around the world, and this is one of the biggest yet.

“Wasserman Boxing is one of the best entities in the entire sport, and it is a major statement of intent from Probellum to secure this deal. It will mean German boxing is taken to the next level, and it is an extremely exciting time for everybody involved.”

For live news and updates, be sure to follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 29, 2021) – WBC and lineal heavyweight world champion Tyson “The Gypsy King” Fury expects history to repeat itself when he takes on Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder next Saturday, October 9 on ESPN+ PPV and FOX Sports PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. After dethroning Wilder via seventh-round knockout in February 2020, Fury reiterated that he expected the third fight to be a shorter, more dominant affair.

Tickets for Fury vs. Wilder III are on sale now and can be purchased at www.t-mobilearena.com or www.axs.com. The event is promoted by Top Rank, BombZquad Promotions, TGB Promotions and Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions. A Premier Boxing Champions presentation.

This is what Fury, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, and Frank Warren (Fury’s co-promoter) had to say during Wednesday’s virtual press conference.

TYSON FURY

“I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to this fight. I’m very motivated, focused, and determined and I can’t wait for October 9. I wish it was this weekend. I have to wait one more week until I get these big hands on Wilder for a third time. It’s one of the few heavyweight trilogies since Riddick Bowe and Evander Holyfield. I’m going to go all guns blazing, full out attack, all in victory, straight out of the door from round one until it finishes. It’s either going to be me or Wilder. I’ve never had a bad training camp, and I’m in the best shape of my life. I’m injury-free, which is the most important thing. I’m really looking forward to it, and I can’t wait.”

“I don’t really make much of the excuses that were flying around for so long. I think they just made him a weaker character and less of a man and less of a fighter, because when you get beat, you get beat. Shake the man’s hand and move on. Lots of fighters have lost. Muhammad Ali lost fights, Mike Tyson lost fights. It’s what they do after they lose that makes them who they are. I don’t really have a lot to say about what Deontay Wilder was saying. It’s none of my concern because when some people lose, they have to make up an excuse for why they lost and that’s what Wilder’s reason is for convincing himself about whatever happened. That’s up to him, so good luck to him in the fight, and we’ll see if he can do anything better.”

“I don’t make much of his training videos because a lot of people speak a lot of words and nothing ever gets done about it, but we’ll see on the night. I hope he brings a better fight because {our} last fight was disappointing, to say the least. I trained for an absolute war, and it was a one-sided beatdown, so hopefully he can give me a challenge.”

“It’s none of my concern about where the belts are as long as my belt is strapped around my waist. The rest of them, I don’t care where they go because there’s only one man that can bring them all back and that’s me. There only has ever one, and that’s me. I’m sick of saying it. There has only ever been one, and there only can ever be one, and that is me, ‘The Gypsy King.’”

“It’s nearly that time of the year again where I take over Las Vegas, and it becomes the home of ‘The Gypsy King,’ and just remember that I plan to smash Deontay Wilder to bits….and I will.”

BOB ARUM

“There is no heavyweight in the world that can beat Tyson Fury, period, end of story. No heavyweight in the world, now and in the near future.”

FRANK WARREN

“I think we only saw him a few weeks ago. Other than that, it was closed down.

“When I saw him, he was in extremely great physical condition, and he was great mentally. This is a dangerous Tyson Fury. When he’s like this, he’s a dangerous man, and I think Deontay Wilder will have a real problem.”

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.toprank.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @trboxing,  @TGBPromotions, @TMobileArena and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/trboxing.

LONDON – SEPT. 29, 2021 – Kicking off a mammoth month of outstanding BELLATOR MMA action, former three-time BELLATOR Welterweight Champion and current No. 1-ranked contender Douglas “The Phenom” Lima (32-9)will square off in a much-anticipated rematch against No. 2-ranked Michael “Venom” Page (19-1)in the main event of BELLATOR MMA 267: Lima vs MVP 2, Friday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m. ET live on SHOWTIME from The SSE Arena, Wembley in London.

During their initial encounter as the co-feature of BELLATOR MMA 221 nearly two-and-half years ago on May 11, 2019, in Rosemont, Ill., Lima advanced to the final of the BELLATOR Welterweight World Grand Prix by scoring a devasting knockout over MVP at 35 seconds of the second round.

SHOWTIME will televise the phenomenal five-bout BELLATOR MMA 267: Lima vs MVP 2 main card live at 4 p.m. ET. Additionally, all eight preliminary fights will stream live three hours earlier at 1 p.m. ET on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.

In the fantastic featherweight co-feature, Irish phenom and No. 5 contender Leah McCourt (5-1) hopes to run her unbeaten streak to six and continue her ascension to the top of the BELLATOR rankings when she takes on hard-hitting Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga (3-3) of Lakeland, Fla.

Here is what the fighters had to say on Wednesday, Sept. 29:

DOUGLAS LIMA: No. 1-ranked BELLATOR Welterweight Contender

Click HERE for Douglas’s full media day session

“I am expecting the same [as the first fight]. He (MVP) is very crafty, and he moves a lot. I expect him to stay on the outside more and not allow me to close the distance. But, at the end of the day, I see the same fighter as last time and I expect the same result.”

“I do not agree he (MVP) was winning the [first] fight. The only thing he did was that one punch.  I landed on him and was on top of him for the first round. I guess it is good for his mental [health] to convince himself he was winning, but I know how it was going, and I was winning. The same will happen Friday night.”

“This will not be the first time I fight someone on their home turf. To me, the cage is the same, and I am just focused on my opponent. Whether I get boos or cheers, the crowd never gets to me, but I am excited to fight in front of them. I have the cardio to go five rounds. This is a three rounder for the first time in a long time, which means I can push the pace more in this fight. I will be ready to go Friday night.”

MICHAEL “VENOM” PAGE: No. 2-ranked BELLATOR Welterweight Contender

Click HERE for Michael’s full media day session

“I have evolved, he (Lima) is stuck in his ways. Since we last fought, he has not done anything in his fights that shows me he is different or got better. On the other hand, I have evolved and changed my diet and training to become a completely new, faster, and better fighter.”

“I love striking and prefer that, but if I am not capable anywhere else, it takes away from my striking. If I get taken down and can’t get back up, then what does my striking do? I need to be well-rounded in order to be complete. I actually enjoy Jiu-Jitsu, though. It allows my creative personality to flourish.”

“My personality has always been quite petty. If someone gets me with a takedown, I must get you back. If it’s a submission, I have to get you back. And, in this case a loss, then I have to get you back. I am looking forward to getting this loss back and showing how much I have improved since our last fight.”

LEAH MCCOURT: No. 5-ranked BELLATOR Women’s Featherweight Contender

Click HERE for Leah’s full media day session

“Jessica (Borga) is a tough opponent. In female MMA, the record does not always dictate how good an opponent really is. She has a lot of excellent finishes and a very similar style to me. She is going to bring the best out of me. Even though it may be a tough fight, I know I will come out on top.”

“I am always just focused on the next fight. It is inevitable that I will get the title shot, so I am making sure I am the best I can possibly be when I get that opportunity. So, until then, I am focused on being the best me every time I fight.”

“Being in London makes my fight week so much better and so much more relaxed. I was supposed to fight in London in May, but it was cancelled due to the pandemic, so this is a dream. The crowd will be crazy due to the awesome main event, and I can’t wait to put on a show for them.”

JESSICA BORGA: BELLATOR Women’s Featherweight Contender

Click HERE for Jessica’s full media day session

“I have nothing to lose. Every time I fight, I try my hardest and put everything on the line. She (Leah McCourt) has posted some stuff on social media that was disrespectful, and I look forward to making her pay for that. I always respect my opponent, but I plan on defeating her Friday night.”

“Being the underdog doesn’t faze me at all. I have been the underdog my whole career and have overcome it every time. I am used to fighting people expecting to beat me. I have actually started feeding off that. I am going to come out ready and push the pace. I plan to be fast, accurate and smart.”

Click here for Luke Trainer’s full media day session

Click here for Robert Whiteford’s full media day session

Click here for Charlie Leary’s full media day session

BELLATOR MMA 267: LIMA VS. MVP 2 MAIN CARD:

SHOWTIME (U.S.) / BBC iPlayer (U.K.) / Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)

Friday, Oct. 1, 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT

Welterweight Main Event: No. 1 Douglas Lima (32-9) vs. No. 2 Michael Page (19-1)

Featherweight Bout: No. 5-ranked Contender Leah McCourt (5-1) vs. Jessica Borga (3-3)

Featherweight Bout: Robert Whiteford (16-4)vs. Andrew Fisher (18-8-1)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Luke Trainer (4-0) vs. Yannick Bahati (9-5, 1 NC)

Lightweight Bout: Yves Landu (16-8) vs. Tim Wilde (13-4)

BELLATOR MMA 267: LIMA VS. MVP 2 PRELIMINARY CARD:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV (US)

BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)

Friday, Oct. 1, 1:00 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT

Welterweight Bout: Lewis Long (18-6) vs. Michael Dubois (11-7)

Lightweight Bout: Kane Mousah (13-3) vs. Davy Gallon (18-7-2) 

Flyweight Bout: Elina Kallionidou (7-4) vs. Petra Castkova (4-3)

Lightweight Bout: Charlie Leary (17-11-1) vs. Benjamin Brander (13-8)

Welterweight Bout: Jack Grant (17-7) vs. Nathan Jones (13-10)

Featherweight Bout: Fabacary Diatta (7-0)vs. Nathan Rose (7-3)

Strawweight Bout: Chiara Penco (5-3) vs. Katharina Dalisda (5-2)

Bantamweight Bout: Khurshed Kakhorov (7-0) vs. Jair Junior (7-2)

** Card subject to change **

For more information on upcoming BELLATOR MMA events, visit BELLATOR.com. 

****

About BELLATOR

BELLATOR MMA is a leading global mixed martial arts and kickboxing 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 – September 29, 2021 – Probellum President Richard Schaefer has released an update discussing the phenomenal reaction the promotion has received – following its launch earlier this month.

Since it was officially announced just under two weeks ago, Probellum has already taken the boxing world by storm, forming ground-breaking partnerships with some of the biggest forces in the sport.

They have also unveiled their innovative strategy, which includes working with promoters around the world, providing support for grassroots boxing on a global level, and growing a digital platform which will serve millions of fans.

To date, Probellum has announced co-promotional deals with major boxing companies such as LNK Boxing in Latvia, Team Ellis Boxing in Australia and Box Office Sports in Ghana, along with revealing several of their talent line-up, including Ali Drew, Paul Smith, and Fight Disciples.

There has been an extremely positive reaction to the launch, with supporters of boxing excited at the prospect of having their passion for the sport truly appreciated, and Schaefer promises there will be more good news in the near future.

“There has been a phenomenal reaction since we launched earlier this month, and this is only the beginning,” said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum. “We are excited about what is to come, and boxing fans around the world should be excited too.

“We have been working away behind the scenes for a long time in order to try and secure the most strategic partnerships possible, along with finding the athletes that show the most promise. We have been able to acquire the best that the world has to offer, and we can’t wait to reveal to fans what we have in store.

“I have been involved in boxing for over 20 years, and I can safely say that Probellum is the most ambitious and determined promotion that I have ever seen. The all-star team that has been assembled features some of the best minds in the sport, and I have no doubt that by all working together, we can achieve big things in the sport.

“Boxing is truly the greatest sport in the world, featuring the toughest warriors on the planet who put everything all on the line. With our athlete-first approach here at Probellum, we are going to ensure that they receive the backing they deserve.

“There are going to be over 100 announcements in the coming days and weeks, so everybody should stay tuned and get ready as we prepare to announce everything we’ve been up to.”

For live news and updates, be sure to follow Probellum on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

BOSTON (September 29, 2021) — While it’s challenging enough during the pandemic to even get boxers into fights, during a recent 8-day stretch from September 18 through 25, members of the Fighter Locker stable won 12 of 13 fights.

The hot stretch started in Galveston, Texas back on Sept. 18th, when undefeated Colorado super middleweight Shawn “The Amazing” McCalman (9-0, 5 KOs) knocked out Jaime Barbosa (21-19) in the opening round, and stablemate Miranda Reyes (4-0, 2 KOs), of Houston, stopped super lightweight Erica Donnelly (0-1) in three rounds.

Last Thursday in the Dominican Republic, Fighter Locker was had four fighters in action at home: 2-time Olympian Leonel de los Santos (4-0, 4 KOs) knocked out Jaime Mariano (2-10-2) in the third round, cruiserweight Roki “Rocky” Berroa (1-0) won a 4-round unanimous decision over Orlando Peralto Beltran (0-1), super welterweight Orlando Perez Zapata (9-0, 6 KOs) stopped Anyelo Munoz (18-20) in three, super welterweight Juan Solano (1-0) won his pro debut with an opening-round KO of Dioni Candelaria (0-3).

The lone non-winning Fighter Locker boxer was New Haven (CT) super welterweight Jimmy “Quiet Storm” Williams (18-6-2, 6 KOs), the UBO International and ABF USA champion, who dropped a 10-round decision in last Friday’s main event in Hartford to Greg Vendetti (23-4-1, 12 KOs) for the vacant WBC USNBC Silver Super Welterweight Championship.

On the same night in Dedham, Massachusetts, ABF American West and NBA Continental Champion RayJay “The Destroyer” Bermudez (14-0, 11 KOs), fighting out of Albany, New York, registered a second-round technical knockout of Philip Adyaka (7-15) in the main event.

The following night at the same Dedham venue, Fighter Locker had five winners as Lawrence (MA) super lightweight Adrian “Tonka” Sosa (12-0, 10 KOs) shutout Danny Flores (15-25-1, 8 KOs) for a 8-round decision, Springfield, MA welterweight Eric “Gladiator” Goff (4-0, 3 KOs) posted a first-round knockout of Luciano Santos (0-2), pro-debuting Kansas City (KS) super lightweight Marcus Davidson (1-0, 1 KO) blasted out Austin Reed Ward (0-9) in round one, Dorchester (MA) featherweight Troy Anderson, Jr. drilled Chakem Brooks (0-1) in two rounds, and Irish cruiserweight Thomas O’Toole (1-0, 1 KO) turned in an promising pro debut by stopping Francisco Ariri Neto (1-15, 1 KO) in the first.

“Thirteen fights in 8 days is a great stretch for my company and coming away 12-1 is pretty close to perfect,” Fighter Locker president Ryan Roach said. “We lost a tough decision with Jimmy, but he showed some heart and won over some new fans. It was very challenging organizing it all beforehand, but we got it done and we were very successful. I am very fortunate to keep my fighters this active. I am only able to do so with the relationships I have developed with promoters. I made a promise to my fighters that I would keep them active, and I have delivered, They have also delivered by winning. What we have built at Fighter Locker has been special and I am looking forward to 2022. My goal to win a title in 2020-2021 was derailed by the pandemic. A lot of my fighters are in position to fight for a title soon, so I am very happy. We are not slowing down the next three months. We have a lot of fights already slotted and look to continue our streak. It is humbling how many fighters reach out daily to sign with my company. I think that is all due to the activity of my fighters.”

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.

LAS VEGAS (September 29, 2021) – Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions has announced back-to-back shows on Thursday and Friday, October 14th and 15th, showcasing some of the top Mexican fighters in various weight classes, at Auditorio Benito Juarez in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Presented by Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions, in association with De La O Promotions, Kochul Pro and World Cup Boxing Series, both shows will stream live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

“Back in July, RJJ Boxing had to cancel its first show ever, due to COVID-19,” veteran RJJ Boxing matchmaker Guy Taylor explained. “We decided to go back-to-back to give back to the fans who had bought tickets to the July show. They’ve been very supportive of RJJ Boxing, so why not do this with two of our best cards ever. We’re giving fans what they really want to see: evenly matched, compelling fights because they pay good, hard-earned money for tickets. We don’t want fans to know who is going to win before the fights, and we’re packing the undercard with local kids. We want to give back to Los Mochis, which has produced 26 world champions, including a Who’s Who of Mexican boxing. I don’t know what’s in tacos there, but it hasn’t happened by accident.”

On Thursday, Oct. 14, super middleweight Manuel “El Meno” Gallegos (18-1, 15 KOs) takes on Gabriel “Drago” Lopez (10-5-1, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Mexican boxers who defeat American opponents like Gallegos did in his last fight this past June, winning a 10-round unanimous decision against Kevin Newman in the same venue, are treated like heroes in Los Mochis. Gallegos is arguably the best Mexican super middleweight outside of Saul Canelo” Alvarez.

In the 10-round co-featured event, undefeated Guatemalan Lester Martinez (9-0, 9 KOs) makes his first WBO Latino Super Middleweight title defense against his Cuban challenger, Raiko Santana (8-2, 5 KOs). A former WBC Latino Super Middleweight Champion, the 25-year-old Martinez made his pro debut in 2019, stopping 3-time, 2-division world champion Ricardo Mayorga in round two. The heavy-handed fighter has also defeated Michi Munoz and Uriel Gonzalez, both by first-round stoppages. Santana is a typical product of the highly-regard Cuban amateur boxing program, a sound boxer and solid defensive fighter, who has a 120-20 record..

WBC Youth Council Silver Lightweight Champion Luis “Koreano” Torres (12-0, 8 KOs) is a familiar fighter on RJJ Boxing on UFC FIGHT PASS streams with this being his seventh straight appearance. The gifted 19-year-old Torres faces Guillermo “El Borrego” Avila (19-11, 14 KOs) in the 10-round, non-title fight. Torres should be tested by the more experienced Avila, who has bene in the ring with the likes of world champions Gervonta Davis and Wilfredo Vazquez, Jr., as well as Jonathan Oquendo, Andrey Klimov and Miguel Marriaga.

The latest member of the famed Montiel boxing family, unbeaten lightweight Jorgo “Jorgito” Lugo Cota (4-0, 4 KOs) meets Edgar Almeda (4-2-1, 3 KOs) in his first slated 6-round bout. Cota, 19, was 150-10 as an amateur.

The following night, former NABF Welterweight Champion Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (24-0, 10 KOs) returns to the ring after being idle the past 10 months due to personal reasons against Jesus “Chino” Antonio Rubio (13-4, 7 KOs) in the 10-round main event. Dominguez is a homerun hitter who was ranked among the top 15 welterweight in the world. Rubio may be the toughest test of Dominguez’ pro career based on him challenging Alberto Puello (18-0) in his most recent fight, albeit in a loss by 12-round decision, for the vacant WBA Interim World Super Lightweight Championship. An 8-round win by decision against 21-3 Sonny Fredickson in his previous fight set-up Rubio’s title shot.

Former WBC Youth Silver Featherweight Champion Jose “El Sugar” Eduardo Nunez (21-1, 21 KOs) throws-down with Osvaldo “Catotas” Maldonado (10-1, 5 KOs) in the 10-round co-feature. Nunez is one of the best kept secrets in boxing with 21 knockouts in 21 victories, however, Maldonado has the same style as the lone fighter to defeat Nunez, Hiram Gallardo, who won a 6-round decision in 2018. Knockout artist Nunez is riding an 11-fight win streak.

Lightweights Jose “Cheche Choryboy” Valenzuela (9-3, 3 KOs) and Jose Luis Vazquez (10-1, 8 KOs) will battle in an intra-state 8-round bout for Sinaloa bragging rights. Valenzuela is from Los Mochis, Vazquez lives in Culiacan.

INFORMATION:

Websites: http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.com, www.ufcfightpass.com

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre

Twitter: @UFCFightPass, @Keith_Veltre, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial

Instagram: @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre, @RoyJonesJrBoxing

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing. RJJ has already made a massive 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 many of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.

Based in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, NV, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable.

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®: UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than two hundred countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combat sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com.

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 29, 2021) — Pound-for-pound star Terence “Bud” Crawford has called out the welterweight superstars for years.  His long wait for a legacy-defining fight is now over. Crawford will defend his WBO welterweight world title and unbeaten record Saturday, Nov. 20 against two-time welterweight champion and WBO No. 1 contender “Showtime” Shawn Porter at the Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with TGB Promotions, Crawford-Porter will be a Top Rank PPV exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

Tickets starting at $54 go on sale Monday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. PT and can be purchased by visiting AXS.com. Undercard information will be announced shortly.

“This is a fight that reminds me of all the great welterweight battles of the 1980s and 90s, two prime fighters unafraid to tackle the biggest challenge available to them,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Terence has wanted a challenge like this for a very long time, and I am confident he will rise to the occasion. Shawn Porter, however, is not an easy night for any fighter.”

“I’ve been calling out the top welterweights since I moved up to 147 in 2018, and I’m excited that Shawn stepped up,” Crawford said. “This fight will bring out the best in me and showcase parts of my game that the world hasn’t seen yet. On November 20, I will silence my doubters and prove that I am the best welterweight in the world.”

Porter said, “I’ve wanted this fight for a long time and now my patience has paid off. Throughout my career, I’ve taken on the best and proven myself as a man who gives 100 percent in everything I do. Terence Crawford is a great, versatile fighter who is very athletic just like myself. We are the two best welterweights in the world, and on November 20, we get a chance to prove who is the best. Fight fans can expect a great show that night and, with this victory, I will cement myself as the best welterweight of this era.”

Matt Kenny, Vice President, Programming & Acquisition, ESPN added, “We are thrilled to present this blockbuster welterweight showdown exclusively on ESPN+ PPV. This is the kind of fight that boxing fans dream of and we are looking forward to a tremendous event on November 20.”

Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs), the three-weight world champion from America’s heartland, Omaha, Nebraska, has made four defenses of his world title since knocking off Jeff “The Hornet” Horn in June 2018. A mainstay near the upper rungs of the mythical pound-for-pound rankings, Crawford has been a world champion since March 2014. He defeated WBO lightweight world champion Ricky Burns on enemy soil in Scotland and made his first title defense in front of the Omaha faithful with a ninth-round stoppage over Yuriorkis Gamboa. Crawford became the first man in the four-belt era to become the undisputed junior welterweight champion, and he is 4-0 with four knockouts since moving up to welterweight. His knockout streak of eight dates back to July 2016, when he notched a one-sided decision over Viktor “The Iceman” Postol at MGM Grand Garden Arena to unify two of the junior welterweight world titles. Crawford is coming off last November’s fourth-round knockout over Kell Brook inside the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble.

Porter (31-3-1, 17 KOs), a 13-year pro from Akron, Ohio, first tasted championship glory in December 2013 when he outfought the previously undefeated Devon Alexander to win the IBF welterweight title. He knocked out two-weight world champion Paulie Malignaggi in his first title defense before Brook edged him by majority decision in August 2014. Over the next seven years, Porter continued fighting the welterweight elite, becoming a two-time world champion in 2018 when he toppled Danny Garcia to win the WBC welterweight title. He defended that title against future Manny Pacquiao conqueror Yordenis Ugas before taking Errol Spence Jr. to the limit in a September 2019 title unification tilt. After dropping a split decision to Spence, Porter regrouped with a one-sided decision over Sebastian Formella in August 2020 to set up the Crawford showdown.

Use the hashtag #CrawfordPorter to join the conversation on social media. For more information, visit www.toprank.com, www.espn.com/boxing; Facebook: facebook.com/trboxing; Twitter: twitter.com/trboxing; twitter.com/ESPNRingside.

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 14.9 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 Michelob ULTRA Arena
The Michelob ULTRA Arena is a multi-purpose arena home to World Championship Boxing, premier concerts and special events. With seating for as many as 12,000, the arena, which was recently renovated in 2018, offers excellent sightlines and state-of-the-art lighting and sound. The entertainment venue is home to WNBA team, the Las Vegas Aces, the city’s first professional basketball team. Prominent events have included concerts such as Justin Timberlake, KISS, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, John Mayer, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Alejandro Fernandez and David Foster & Friends. World championship boxing events have featured fighters including Oscar De La Hoya, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins. The Michelob ULTRA Arena also has been home to multiple Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events, USA Basketball and the Latin Billboard Music Awards.

QUINCY, Mass. (September 28, 2021) – Granite Chin Promotions has announced that New England heavyweight champion “Fly” Mike Marshall will fight on the high-profile October 9th Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III FOX pay-per-view event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The 33-year-old Marshall (6-1-1, 4 KOs), fighting out of Danbury, Connecticut, will take on undefeated Ukrainian prospect Victor Vykhrryst (aka Faust) in an 8-round bout

“This fight means everything to me,” Marshall said. “I’ve worked for this my whole life. To have this opportunity to showcase what I can do as a fighter is incredible. I signed with Chris (Granite State Promotions president Chris Traietti) after the (Steve) Vukosa fight (10-round split draw, this past June) and he’s really come through.

“I’m not the type of person to shy away from an opportunity like this that he gave me. I saw that he had gotten other fighters in big fights. Promoters like Chris don’t get the credit that they deserve. Fighters need good promoters and management teams like I have. At the end of the day, we need fights and to get paid.”

“Fighters like Mike represent how I want to build Granite Chin,” Traietti commented. “I want all my fighters (and most do) to have what I call the 3A mentality….anyone, anytime, anywhere…just pay us accordingly. Most promoters want to keep their guys in this tiny bubble making scraps. That’s boring, short sighted and creates a low ceiling. I want to sharpen my fighters up at home but then we go on the road to see what we got and make damn good money in the process.

“Mike didn’t even hesitate at this fight. He saw the opportunity and did what real fighters do, step up to the plate and get ready to go to bat. I appreciate the credit he throws my way, but he did the heavy lifting, he took the fights that me and his management team told him. This wasn’t an easy road for him. He had to take on some tough fighters and now he’s getting his just reward. In a few weeks it won’t just be the New England fight crowd that knows about ‘Fly’ Mike.”

Vykhryst, 29, will be making his United States debut as a professional against Marshall. A decorated amateur boxer, he won gold medals at the 2017 European Championships and 2019 European Games. The 6’ 5”, 235-pound Vykhryst, who has fought in Germany the past two years, is coming off victories against unbeaten opponents, 11-0 Jacek Krzysztof Piatek (KO1) and Wilmer Vasquez (11-0-2).

“He’s a big right-hander,” Marshall noted. “He has had experience fighting in the WSB (World Series of Boxing – 3-1), too. A fight is a fight and I’m not saying anything before our fight. I’ll show what I have during the fight.”

What could an impressive victory against Vykhryst, especially on the Fury-Wilder III platform, do for Marshall and his career?

Marshall responded: “Wow! More opportunities will open up with a win against this guy on this card. I think the floodgates will open. I’m so excited to be living out my dream. Most people don’t know I was an amateur for 10 years and we didn’t get paid. I’ve sacrificed a lot to get here. Somebody once told me: ‘Life isn’t about what you want, it’s about what you are. I can’t run, I’m answering the call.”

INFORMATION:

Facebook.com/GraniteChin

Twitter: @Granite_Chin, @FkyMikeMarshall

NEW YORK (Sept. 28, 2021) — Jose “Chon” Zepeda wants a third world title shot. Josue “The Prodigy” Vargas, born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Bronx, hopes his hometown main event is the ticket to title contention.
 
Zepeda and Vargas will meet in a 10-round junior welterweight main event Saturday, Oct. 30 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden. Zepeda is ranked No. 2 in the world by the WBC, and Vargas, winner of 13 straight bouts, hopes to knock “Chon” off his lofty perch.
 
Zepeda-Vargas and a 10-round bantamweight tilt between undefeated Puerto Rican knockout artist Carlos “Purin” Caraballo and former world title challenger Jonas Sultan will stream and live and exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. 
 
Undercard action — also streaming and live and exclusively on ESPN+ — includes former world champion Jonathan Guzman returning in an eight-round junior featherweight fight, Long Island-born welterweight Jahi Tucker (4-0, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder, Kasir “Mazzi” Goldston (3-0, 1 KO) competing in a six-round junior welterweight contest, New York City prospect Mathew Gonzalez (12-0, 8 KOs) making his MSG debut in a six-rounder at junior welterweight, former New York City amateur standout Ray Cuadrado (1-0, 1 KO) in a four-rounder at junior lightweight, and Irish sensation Paddy “Real Deal” Donovan (7-0, 5 KOs) making his American debut in a six-round welterweight assignment.
 
Promoted by Top Rank, tickets starting at $30 (not including fees) go on sale Friday, Oct. 1 at 12 p.m. ET and can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or MSG.com. All guests age 12 and older are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (this means having at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine prior to attending). MSG’s comprehensive COVID-19 guidelines, including those regarding children under 12, can be found at https://www.msg.com/madison-square-garden/faqs.
 
“It’s been a long time, and Top Rank and ESPN are thrilled to be back at Madison Square Garden with an intriguing battle between a sensational young southpaw in Vargas and a world-level contender in Zepeda. The winner is squarely in the title picture,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Carlos Caraballo has all the makings of the next Puerto Rican superstar. Not many bantamweights can punch like this kid, but Sultan is far from a pushover.”
 
Zepeda (34-2, 21 KOs) is unbeaten in five bouts since a tight majority decision loss to then-WBC world champion Jose Ramirez in February 2019. The slick-boxing Zepeda participated in the 2020 Fight of the Year, knocking out Ivan Baranchyk in the fifth round of a bout that featured eight total knockdowns. He returned in May on the Josh Taylor-Ramirez undercard and outboxed “Hammerin” Hank Lundy over 10 rounds. Zepeda hopes a win over Vargas leads to a Ramirez rematch or perhaps a crack at undisputed king Taylor. Vargas (19-1, 9 KOs) earned his nickname as a wunderkind in the Bronx, where he compiled a 72-8 amateur record and won six New York City Metro championships. Apart from a controversial disqualification loss early in his pro career, Vargas has been near-perfect. He fought twice in 2020 inside the MGM Grand Bubble, notching wide points wins over Salvador Briceno and Kendo Castaneda. He last fought April 24 in Kissimmee, Florida, and turned back the awkward challenge of Willie Shaw over 10 rounds.
 
“I am pushing hard to earn another world title opportunity, but I understand the task at hand against a young, talented fighter like Josue Vargas,” Zepeda said. “There is mutual respect, but when we enter the Madison Square Garden ring, that all goes out the window.”
 
Vargas said, “I’m ready for this opportunity. Being the main event in my hometown, Madison Square Garden, is a dream true. The Bronx and Puerto Rico will be in the building to show their support. This is Puerto Rico versus Mexico, so you know it’s going to be a heck of a fight. Once I got the call, I started pushing even harder. I‘ve been through a lot in my professional career, so why not step up to the plate? I have the skills to beat Zepeda, and I’m going to do just that. Zepeda has a lot of experience against the top names in the junior welterweight division. We both have the talent and the skills to put on a show.”
 
Caraballo (14-0, 14 KOs), from Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, is a five-year pro who broke out in March with his fourth-round demolition over Leonardo Baez. He hopes to enter the world title picture with an impressive showing over Sultan (17-5, 11 KOs), a former world title challenger from the Philippines who has never been stopped as a professional. In May 2018, Sultan dropped a decision to Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF junior bantamweight world title. He has won three out of his past four fights and last fought in August, knocking out Sharone Carter in seven rounds.
 
Caraballo said, “I am thankful for the opportunity that my promoter, Miguel Cotto Promotions, is giving me together with Top Rank to fight at Madison Square Garden. I will take this opportunity to look great and continue to make noise at 118 pounds as I aspire to win a world title. Sultan is a strong, experienced opponent. I know he has fought the big names, but I am working hard with my team to show I am a force to be reckoned with. This victory is for my people from Guayanilla, and all Puerto Ricans in New York.”
 
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 14.9 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 Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) is a leader in live entertainment. The Company presents or hosts a broad array of events in its diverse collection of venues: New York’s Madison Square Garden, Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; and The Chicago Theatre. MSG Entertainment is also building a new state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas, MSG Sphere at The Venetian. In addition, the Company features the original production – the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes – and through Boston Calling Events, produces the Boston Calling Music Festival. The Company’s two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG+, deliver a wide range of live sports content and other programming. Also under the MSG Entertainment umbrella is Tao Group Hospitality, with entertainment dining and nightlife brands including: Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Beauty & Essex, Cathédrale, Hakkasan and Omnia. More information is available at www.msgentertainment.com.  

LAS VEGAS (September 28, 2021) – Polish star Adam Kownacki has revenge and redemption on his mind as he prepares for his rematch against Robert Helenius, which takes place on the ESPN+ PPV and FOX Sports PPV undercard (9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT) leading up to the highly anticipated Fury vs. Wilder III heavyweight trilogy showdown on Saturday, October 9 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

“A win on October 9 puts me back on the map and would show that the last fight was just an accident,” said Kownacki. “I think that I got a little tired and tried to end the night early, so I rushed in and got caught. But being Brooklyn-born, when someone puts you on your ass, you want to show the kind of character you have, come back and beat them. I come from a hardworking community of mostly immigrants. So I don’t shy away from hard work or tough tests.”

The test in front of Kownacki is a second showdown against Finland’s Helenius, after Kownacki suffered his first career loss in March 2020 against Helenius. For this fight, Kownacki has made adjustments in training camp to help put him over the top when he faces Helenius again.

“Training has been going great,” said Kownacki. “I’ve been eating healthier and feeling a lot better. We’ve been working out of Bellmore Kickboxing Academy in New York and I’ve been sparring with Otto Walin and Brandon Lynch. We cut down sparring to two days a week, but we’re doing eight and 10-round sessions, so it’s been great work.

“With the rematch being postponed a few times, we’ve basically had three or four mini camps going all the way back to January. At this point, I just can’t wait to get back in the ring with Helenius.”

Kownacki’s rise up the heavyweight division coincided with him becoming a popular draw amongst the passionate Polish sports fans in his adopted hometown of Brooklyn. On October 9, Kownacki fights in Las Vegas for the first time in his career, and competes outside of Brooklyn for the first time in years. This change in venue is something that Kownacki is not only ready for, but could work to his advantage.

“I’m going to be ready for the bright lights for sure,” said Kownacki. “There actually might be less distractions for me in Las Vegas, compared to being in Brooklyn. I’m not looking to make any excuses, but my son was born just months before my last fight and there were lots of sleepless nights leading up to it. For this fight, my son will be staying back home with my wife. I’ll miss them, but I should be able to totally focus during fight week.”

Known for his aggressive and action-packed style, Kownacki does not plan to abandon that strategy that made him a fan-favorite, but he plans to be more prepared for what Helenius brings to the ring and fully-focused on showing the best version of his skills on October 9.

“Helenius is a good counter puncher and that’s what I got caught with,” said Kownacki. “I got reckless. Every fighter in this division can pack a punch. Everyone who’s seen me fight, knows that I come forward and try to destroy people. As always, this fight is going to be action packed. On October 9, I’m going to show everyone that my last fight was an accident and that I’m back to being my old self.”

#

For more information, visit www.premierboxingchampions.com and www.toprank.com. Follow on Twitter @PremierBoxing, @trboxing, @TGBPromotions, @TMobileArena and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, www.Facebook.com/trboxing.

LOS ANGELES (Sept. 28, 2021) – Kicking off a mammoth month of outstanding BELLATOR MMA action, former three-time BELLATOR Welterweight Champion and current No. 1-ranked contender Douglas “The Phenom” Lima (32-9) will square off in a much-anticipated rematch against No. 2-ranked Michael “Venom” Page (19-1) in the main event of BELLATOR MMA 267: Lima vs MVP 2, this Friday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m. ET live on SHOWTIME from The SSE Arena, Wembley in London.

During their initial encounter as the co-feature of BELLATOR MMA 221 nearly two-and-half years ago on May 11, 2019, Lima advanced to the final of the BELLATOR Welterweight World Grand Prix by scoring a devasting knockout over MVP at 35 seconds of the second round.

SHOWTIME will televise the phenomenal five-bout BELLATOR MMA 267: Lima vs MVP 2 main card live at 4 p.m. ET. Additionally, all eight preliminary fights will stream live three-and-a-half hours earlier at 12:30 p.m. ET on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.

Lima, of Atlanta, followed up his destruction of “MVP” and captured the BELLATOR welterweight crown five months later when he grinded out a unanimous decision over Rory MacDonald. The hard-fought victory in October 2019 at BELLATOR MMA 232 from the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., earned the Brazilian native a hefty $1 million prize, saw him collect both the BELLATOR Welterweight World Grand Prix and 170-pound world title belts, and avenged a previous loss to MacDonald.

Hailing from London, “MVP” recorded one of the most devastating knockouts in BELLATOR history when he landed a flying knee at 4:31 of the second round to stop Brazilian Evangelista Santos on July 16, 2016, at BELLATOR MMA 158 from the O2 Arena in London. Currently riding a five-bout win streak, the hard-hitting 34-year-old opened his career by scoring nine first-round victories by knockout or submission in his initial 13 contests.

In the fantastic featherweight co-feature, Irish phenom and No. 5 contender Leah McCourt (5-1) hopes to run her unbeaten streak to six and continue her ascension to the top of the BELLATOR rankings when she takes on hard-hitting Jessica “The Black Widow” Borga (3-3) of Lakeland, Fla.

Rounding out the five-bout SHOWTIME telecast will be three outstanding contests featuring international brawlers, including American Top Team-product Robert Whiteford (16-4) of Scotland battling it out against Englishman Andrew Fisher (18-8-1) in a featherweight showdown. Also featured on the SHOWTIME telecast will be undefeated Londoner and light heavyweight brawler Luke Trainer (4-0) squaring off against fellow U.K. native Yannick Bahati (9-5, 1 NC), and the explosive Parisian Yves Landu (16-8) challenging English knockout machine Tim Wilde (13-4).

Highlighting the eight-fight preliminary card will see the return of submission-specialist Lewis Long (18-6) of Wales waging war against Swiss sensation Michael Dubois (11-7), as well as Manchester resident Kane Mousah (13-3) looking to play the role of spoiler for French 155-pounder and BELLATOR debutant Davy Gallon (18-7-2).

BELLATOR MMA 267: LIMA VS. MVP 2 MAIN CARD:

SHOWTIME (U.S.) / BBC iPlayer (U.K.) / Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)

Friday, Oct. 1, 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT

Welterweight Main Event: No. 1 Douglas Lima (32-9) vs. No. 2 Michael Page (19-1)

Featherweight Bout: No. 5 Leah McCourt (5-1) vs. Jessica Borga (3-3)

Featherweight Bout: Robert Whiteford (16-4)vs. Andrew Fisher (18-8-1)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Luke Trainer (4-0) vs. Yannick Bahati (9-5, 1 NC)

Lightweight Bout: Yves Landu (16-8) vs. Tim Wilde (13-4)

BELLATOR MMA 267: LIMA VS. MVP II PRELIMINARY CARD:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV (US)

BBC iPlayer (UK) | Virgin Media Two & Virgin Media Sport (IRELAND)

Friday, Oct. 1, 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT

Welterweight Bout: Lewis Long (18-6) vs. Michael Dubois (11-7)

Lightweight Bout: Kane Mousah (13-3) vs. Davy Gallon (18-7-2) 

Flyweight Bout: Elina Kallionidou (7-4) vs. Petra Castkova (4-3)

Lightweight Bout: Charlie Leary (17-11-1) vs. Benjamin Brander (13-8)

Welterweight Bout: Jack Grant (17-7) vs. Nathan Jones (13-10)

Featherweight Bout: Fabacary Diatta (7-0)vs. Nathan Rose (7-3)

Strawweight Bout: Chiara Penco (5-3) vs. Katharina Dalisda (5-2)

Bantamweight Bout: Khurshed Kakhorov (7-0) vs. Jair Junior (7-2)

For more information on upcoming BELLATOR MMA events, please visit BELLATOR.com. 

** Card subject to change **

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. 

Rylan Charlton is relishing his drop down in weight to 135lbs and says fans can expect to see the best version of him at his “own weight” when he meets undefeated Tony Bellew-managed southpaw Luke Willis on the huge Smith vs. Fowler card at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on Saturday October 9. 

Norwich’s Charlton (6-1-1, 3 KOs) demonstrated his ‘Pint Size’ power when he made easy work of Joe Laws in October 2020, sending the Benwell Welterweight prospect crashing to the canvas three times on route to a brutal third round KO in Peterborough. 

Charlton displayed his power once again when he dropped Florian Marku to the canvas in round six of his eighth round TKO loss to ‘The Albanian King’ earlier this year at The SSE Arena, Wembley – a loss that prompted the 29-year-old Norfolk puncher to drop down two weight divisions. 

“I gave it a go at Welterweight and they’re far too big for me,” said Charlton. “Marku proved that. He was a strong Welterweight. My power is one of my strongest assets, so if you take that away from me against some of the bigger boys then it’s not great for me. We’ll really see how effective I am now I’m dropping down to Lightweight.

“I can’t wait for it; it’s going to be a good fight. Finally dropping down to Lightweight is what I needed to do, I tested it at Welterweight – far too big – but you’ve seen what I did at that weight. I’m going to take over this Lightweight division. My power is going to be a big advantage in the Lightweight division and you’ll see me really come into my own. 

“I don’t know a lot about Willis. I’ve had a little look at him. He’s a tidy boxer, he’s speedy, he’s in and out, but this is going to be a different Rylan Charlton. I’ve changed up my trainers. I’m not going to be the same fighter you saw against Florian Marku. I’m still going to be carrying the punch power. Obviously we know that we can’t always rely on your power. A lot of my boxing skills are going to come out at 135lbs. 

“The Marku loss was a fight that I needed to have. It got my name out there a bit more. It was well out of my weight class. Everything happens for a reason. If I’d have beaten Marku then I’d have continued fighting at 147lbs. That was never my natural weight. I’ve learnt some stuff from that fight. I’ve learnt that I’ve got one hell of a chin on me and I can still carry my power up some divisions. It’s going to be exciting to box at my own weight.”

Willis vs. Charlton is part of a stacked night of action in Liverpool, former WBO Super-Welterweight Word Champion Liam Smith (29-3-1, 16 KOs) meets 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist and Rio 2016 Olympian Anthony Fowler (15-1, 12 KOs) in a massive all-Liverpool clash for local bragging rights, Ted Cheeseman (17-2-1, 10 KOs) puts his British Super-Welterweight Title on the line against Troy Williamson (16-0-1, 12 KOs) following his brilliant stoppage win over James Metcalf in Gibraltar, WBA Bantamweight World Champion Shannon Courtenay (7-1, 3 KOs) defends her crown for the first time against the USA’s Jamie Mitchell (6-0-2, 4 KOs), Northampton’s Kieron Conway (16-2-1, 3 KOs) looks to bounce back from his loss to Souleymane Cissokho on the Canelo vs. Saunders undercard when he meets James Metcalf (21-1, 13 KOs), decorated amateur star Peter McGrail makes his highly anticipated professional debut, two-time World Title challenger Natasha Jonas (9-2-1, 7 KOs) returns after her thrilling fight with Katie Taylor in May, Birmingham Heavyweight hope Solomon Dacres (2-0, 1 KO) steps up against the experienced Kamil Sokolowski (10-22-2, 4 KOs) in just his third fight, Wigan Lightweight Rhiannon Dixon (3-0) takes on Anaelle Angerville (1-1-1) over four rounds and Blane Hyland (4-1) meets Santiago San Eusebio (3-1-2, 2 KOs) in a four round Super-Flyweight contest. 

NEW YORK (September 27, 2021) – Split-T Management has announced the signing of 2021 United States Olympian Tiger Johnson.

Johnson, 23 years-old of Cleveland, Ohio, will compete as a welterweight in the professional ranks.

“Signing with Split-T Management is a dream come true. I have a great relationship with (Split-T Management CEO) Dave McWater. He has seen me fight as a youth, and has followed my amateur career very closely. I am very comfortable with Dave and his team because he has taught me a lot about life outside the ring, and has given me great advice. Being that comfortable has helped me in the ring,” said Johnson.

“Tiger is just such a special kid. I first saw him in Reno in January of 2016, and I immediately knew that he was going to be a star. I am excited to be part of his journey,” said McWater.

Johnson began boxing at the age of seven as he had uncles and cousins who were professional boxers, including former light heavyweights Darrel Johnson (11-3-1, 8 KOs) and Ronald Johnson (17-1, 4 KOs).

Tiger Johnson had a highly decorated amateur career finishing with a record of 188-17, and saw him win a Gold Medal in the 2016 Youth World Championships; a Bronze Medal at the 2019 Pan Am Games; a 2019 Last Chance Qualifier Championship; Four 2017 Elite National Championships; a 2016 Elite National Championship; a 2015 Youth National Championship; and a 2014 National Junior Olympic Championship.

Johnson made it to the quarterfinals of the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo before losing to the eventual Gold Medal winner, Cuban Roniel Iglesias.

In his spare time, Johnson makes musical beats and is an avid reader of comic books.

Johnson is trained by widely respected Cleveland trainer Renard Sefo and former professional fighter Prenice Brewer.

Johnson can be followed on both Instagram and Twitter @tigerjohnson216

FLORESVILLE, TX (September 25, 2021) – This past Saturday, Prince Ranch Boxing’s undefeated super featherweight prospect, Richard Medina (11-0, 6 KOs), passed one of the toughest tests of his career by defeating veteran
Rafael Reyes (19-13, 15 KOs), in the main event of an online PPV that took place from The Event Center in Floresville, Texas. Medina, who is promoted by TMB Promotions, won by way of a unanimous decision with the scores being 78-73, 77-74, and 80-70.

“I want to give a lot of respect to my opponent as he brought the fight to me, and forced me to step up my game,” said Medina. “This was a tough performance, and I gave it everything I had, and I know this is the type of fight that will make me better.”

“Medina put on an action-packed performance on Saturday,” said Greg Hannely, CEO of Prince Ranch Boxing, who manages Medina. “He has a great following in the Texas area and the goal is to let his promoter, Rick Morones, continue the great work he is doing with him. Medina is ready to put on more great fights.”

“Medina put on great performance against a tough journeyman and the fans enjoyed seeing him fight,” said promoter Rick Morones, of TMB Promotions. “Medina has a great fanbase in Texas, because he has great skill, to go along with his warrior fighting style. The goal is to have him back in the ring twice by the end of the year.”

“I want to thank all the fans who support me and came out to watch me fight,” continued Medina. “I want to return before the end of the year in Texas, and if possible, in the San Antonio area, so I can put on another great show for my local fans.”

WBA #7 Anatoli Muratov (24-2-1, 17 KOs) replaces Sven Elbir as the opponent for Chris Eubank Jr (30-2, 22 KOs) on October 2 at The SSE Arena, Wembley after Elbir tested positive for Covid-19.

The German-based Kazahk was on standby preparing for his own bout on October 9 when he got the call to step in. The WBA world-ranked number 7 now has a golden opportunity to force his way into World Title contention.

Muratov is a former WBA Intercontinental Middleweight Champion and German Super Middleweight Champion. He is undefeated in his last 17 contests and boasts an impressive KO record with over 60% of his wins coming inside the distance.

The 33-year-old is well-travelled having boxed away from home in Turkey, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary and the United States as well as in his native Germany throughout his 27-fight career.

“This is a fantastic moment for me,” said Muratov. “It will be an honour to fight at The SSE Arena, Wembley and to test my skills against a boxer like Chris Eubank Jr. I’m jumping on this opportunity because that is what warriors do.
Anytime, anyplace, I am ready to fight anyone. I’m looking forward to an exciting fight and a great night of boxing in London. I’m coming to win and I will give it my all.”

“The opponent has changed but my objective remains the same,” says Eubank Jr. “October 2 is my night and nothing is going to stand in my way!”

“First of all, I would like to wish Sven Elbir a speedy recovery,” said promoter Kalle Sauerland. “A change of opponent this close to a fight is never ideal but I know Chris remains focused on what he needs to do on Saturday night.

“Muratov was on standby. He was in the gym preparing for a fight next week when the opportunity came. He is well known in Germany and he is a serious contender. He is ranked number 7 in the world by the WBA and will pose a different set of problems that Chris will need to be ready for.”

“It’s unfortunate for Elbir he has had to withdraw due to Covid, but the change of opponent to the World ranked Muratov will make the fight a more interesting one. Muratov comes into the fight after some impressive wins and is highly of thought of in Germany. He has been in training and is coming in to win,” said BOXXER’s Ben Shalom.

Chris Eubank Jr tops the bill at The SSE Arena, Wembley on October 2 against Anatoli Muratov, live on Sky Sports. Tickets are available via AXS.com.

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 27, 2021) – A new chapter will be added to the classic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry on Saturday, November 13, as Jaime Munguia (37-0, 30 KOs) of Tijuana, Mexico, will put his undefeated record and WBO Intercontinental Middleweight title on the line when he faces off against the Borinquen warrior “King” Gabriel Rosado (26-13-1, 15 KOs) of Philadelphia, Penn. Fight fans, clamoring for an all-out war between two of the most exciting warriors in the division, will get to see a 12-round ‘Fight of the Year’ contender, live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico.

Additional information on the event will be announced.

“This fight will be full of non-stop action. It will be a war that fight fans will enjoy and a new exciting chapter in the classic Mexico vs. Puerto Rico boxing rivalry,” said Oscar De La Hoya, Chairman, and CEO of Golden Boy. “Both fighters are coming off of spectacular performances and knock-out victories that showed their power, speed, and resilience. Jaime Munguia is a super-star; he has all the elements that make a fighter great. He’s already conquered the junior middleweight division and is on his way to conquer the middleweight division. But this is going to be a big test for him because Gabriel Rosado is a dangerous fighter, he has never backed down from a challenge. He has faced and gone the distance with some of the toughest fighters in the middleweight division. This is truly a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender, a fight that fans will remember for years to come.”

“As always, Golden Boy continues to deliver world-class matchmaking in what’s set to be a brilliant night of boxing in November between Jaime Munguia and Gabriel Rosado,” said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. “After a clinical performance against Szeremeta in June, Munguia puts it all on the line again, this time against a fan favorite and one of the toughest men in the sport of boxing, Gabriel Rosado. We cannot wait to bring this fight to fans around the world, live exclusively on DAZN.”

“Rosado is a dangerous fighter with a lot of experience,” said Munguia. “He is a formidable rival that we have to prepare to be stronger and more intelligent in the ring. He has had the opportunity to fight with great fighters, the best in the middleweight division. I am going to give this fight 100% and as always, give a great fight for fans on November 13.”

“I’m excited about this fight. It’s a fight in high demand,” said Rosado. “I respect Munguia as a fighter and I will bring my best and I am confident I will be victorious. My last fight I think will end up being ‘Knock-out of the Year,’ and I plan on making this upcoming bout ‘The Fight of the Year.’ Time to make history. Team KGR!!”

Ranked as one of the top middleweights in the world, Jaime Munguia will have a big challenge in facing “King” Gabriel Rosado. One of the most exciting fighters to come out of Tijuana, Mexico, Munguia is a rising boxing super-star in the middleweight division. He has already conquered the junior middleweight division with a former world title and five defenses against Liam “Beefy” Smith, Brandon “Bad Boy” Cook, Takeshi Inoue, Dennis Hogan, and Patrick Allotey. Now, Munguia hopes to continue his undefeated streak as he trains under the tutelage of Hall of Famer Erik “El Terrible” Morales as he continues to climb the ranks and prove he is the best at 160lbs.

“King” Gabriel Rosado (26-13-1, 15 KOs) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is coming off of a sensational knock-out victory over the former undefeated fighter Bektemir “Bully” Melikuziev. The Philadelphia fighter of Puerto Rican descent has never backed down from a fight and has delivered some of the most memorable battles in the sport, facing some of the toughest fighters in the division. His experience has prepared him for the upcoming test, as he takes on Munguia on November 13 and hopefully claim the WBO Intercontinental Middleweight title.

Munguia vs. Rosado is a 12-round fight for the WBO Intercontinental Middleweight Title presented by Golden Boy in association with Zanfer Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate “The Official Beer of Boxing,” Hennessy “Never Stop. Never Settle,” and “BetOnline – Your Online Sportsbook Experts.” The fight will take place on Saturday, November 13, live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, excluding Mexico.

For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com and DAZN.com. Follow on Twitter @GoldenBoyBoxing and @DAZNBoxing. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoy and https://www.facebook.com/DAZN. Follow on Instagram @GoldenBoy and @DAZNBoxing. Follow the conversation using #MunguiaRosado.

Dubai, UAE (27 September 2021) ‘THE TONGAN TYSON’ Hemi Ahio will use his big showdown at the first-ever Amir Khan Crypto Fight Night at La Perle, Dubai, UAE, on Saturday 16th October to show he’s the real fighting deal.

Undefeated Ahio (17-0, 12 KOs), who has ten KO’s inside the first two rounds, faces Dubai’s KO sensation Mohammad Ali Bayat Farid in an explosive heavyweight collision for the (17-2-1, 17 KO’s) for the Vacant WBC Asia Heavyweight Championship.

The aggressive New Zealand crowd pleaser born to Tongan parents carries power and hand speed that has drawn comparisons to the legendary Mike Tyson.

All funds generated at the A-list event where the world’s top crypto investors settle their differences will be donated to the humanitarian work undertaken by the Amir Khan Foundation.

Ahio, 31, who trains in his home city Auckland at the City Kickboxing gym under Doug Viney said: “Winning this title will open doors to fighting higher ranked fighters so I get known.

“I would like to spend time in Britain boxing because there seems to be some really good Heavyweights.

“The only problem we have in New Zealand is that there aren’t constantly shows like there are in Britain and the United States.

“In terms of training, I love it in New Zealand because we have some excellent boxing teachers and coaches, but perhaps that is something to think about.”

A win in the UAE will help Ahio earn a top 15 ranking with the WBC whose world Heavyweight title will be on the line when Tyson Fury defends against Deontay Wilder on October 9.

Ahio who has won five of his last six contests by KO added: “I would love to fight the French boxer Tony Yoka. He is making his way up and is really technical.

“Of course I would jump in there with Fury, Wilder or Anthony Joshua, but Yoka may have something they don’t.

“I always like studying techniques when I am in the ring with these big dudes and I’d enjoy fighting Yoka before them, especially with his skillset and frame.

“There was talk of fighting Joe Parker in an all New Zealand fight, but it died down pretty quickly.

“I have met Joe once or twice and he is a good guy. I would love to get in the ring with him if I was given the chance.”

Even though all of Bayat Farid’s 17 wins have come inside the distance, Ahio has no concerns about his rival.

“I have no idea about Farid and have zero knowledge on him. I just know that I am meant to be fighting him,” explained Ahio who knocked out 7ft 2in American Julius Long when he last fought in February.

“The only thing I am worried about is my training. I have not even looked at his record, who or where he has boxed.

“When I get to Dubai I will take a look at his fights, but right now I am just putting in the work.”

Two-time world champion Amir Khan and the Super Boxing League (SBL) in association with Savy Capital, Bybit and the World Boxing Council (WBC) will stage the inaugural Amir Khan Crypto Fight Night at La Perle, Dubai, UAE, on Saturday 16th October.

The first ever WBC Crypto belt will be contested for and presented to the winner of the boxing match between the leading crypto traders RookieXBT and Loomdart which headlines the extravaganza.

In the co-main event an exciting showdown between two huge punchers in the heavyweight division sees New Zealand big-hitter Hemi ‘The Heat’ Ahio (17-0-0, 12 KO’s) in a seismic collision with Dubai KO king Mohammad Ali Bayat Farid (17-2-1, 17 KO’s) for the vacant WBC Asia Heavyweight Championship.

Three further contests between some of the world’s most powerful crypto traders will also take place on the card, featuring: Profit Maximalist podcast host Luke Martin vs. whizz-kid trader Barney The Boi, entrepreneur Raghav ‘Reggie’ Jerath vs. investment and finance pro and co-founder of Gath3r Network Foz; leading British trader Adam ‘Cass’ Craigmile vs. Egyptian hot-trader Ahmed Mousa.

Besides a fantastic night of boxing the celebrity crypto crowd will also be involved in an auction of various crypto related assets, collectibles and NFT digital art.

ABOUT SBL

Launched in India in League format. It is the first combat sports promoter to introduce boxing in the Middle East with SBL Jeddah Season. The WBC supported SBL Jeddah Season and also designed a special WBC Belt for the International title when Amir Khan defeated Billy Dib. The first SBL Crypto Fight Night, is all set to recreate history in the Middle East with the first ever WBC Crypto belt, especially designed by the WBC.

ABOUT East West Sports LLC

East West Sports LLC (EWS) owns the Super Boxing League (SBL) has extensive experience in Sports Entertainment having hosted over 151 live events in leading venues internationally. In turn many of these have been aired on leading media platforms such as ESPN, Fox, Sky Sports, Star Sports, MBC, Super Sport, Viacom, Channel 5 and many more…

Please visit www.superboxingleague.com for additional information.