★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience©®™

Monday, February 11, 2013

ELITE HEAT AMATEURS SHINE IN ALLENTOWN

This past Saturday at the Rodeway Inn in Allentown, PA, Kings Boxing Promotions staged a Pro-Am card that saw three members of the Elite Heat Boxing team score victories during the amateur portion of the show.

In the 112 Pound Division (ages 15-16), Shakur Stevenson scored a victory over Jacob Soto.

Stevenson is trained by his grandfather Walli Moses and Robert Griffin and has an amateur record of 74-7.

Stevenson recently traveled to Russia and took home the Velez Cup and was the 2012 Ringside World champion and 2013 Jr. World champion

Eysa Dorsey scored a victory over Donald Ford of Washington, DC in the 75 lb (ages 11-12) division. Dorsey was the 2012 Nation Jr. Golden Gloves champion

Finally in the 75 lb (ages 10-11) Viti Mielnicki won a decision over Jahlil Hackett of Washington, DC. Hackett was the 2012 Title National Champion while Mienicki was the 2011 and 2012 Jr. National Golden Gloves champion and 2012 Ringside World champion

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

FEBRUARY 16 on HBO: Adrien "The Problem" Broner vs. Gavin Rees & Seth Mitchell vs. Jonathan Banks 2

World Championship will take place Saturday, February 16 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The event is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, R & R Promotions, sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, Corona and AT&T and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. The co-main event will be a 12-round heavyweight rematch between Johnathon Banks and Seth "Mayhem" Mitchell for Banks' NABO and WBC International Heavyweight titles which is co-promoted by K2 Promotions.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

No Holds Barred: Andrew Montanez of Robot Combat League and MMA Surge

No Holds Barred: Andrew Montanez of Robot Combat League and MMA Surge

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Andrew Montanez, the host of the online video show MMA Surge.

Andrew Montanez has a strong background in the combat sports. He wrestled at Mineola High School in Long Island, New York, and then at Nassau Community College, as well as wrestling freestyle at the Empire State Games. He is currently a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Although he is not currently an active fighter, he has fought numerous times in professional MMA, including Strikeforce where he was 1-1.

His latest foray into combat sports, however, was something quite different: Andrew served as a robo-jockey for an eight-foot tall robot named A.X.E. in the first season of the new Syfy network TV series called Robot Combat League.

The Robot Combat League features 12 state-of-the-art robots engaged in a tournament where they fight each other. The robots are controlled by a human fighter known as a robo-jockey and an engineer known as a robo-tech. The first season of the Robot Combat League, which premieres Tuesday, February 26, on Syfy in the U.S., has already been filmed.

We spoke with Andrew Montanez about the Robot Combat League and its relation to combat sports by phone Saturday.

"That's the main reason why I did the show. I saw the same vision. The sport's getting violent. We kind of need something else," he said in this interview. "I know a lot of girls that can't watch MMA because they can't watch people getting hit. But I brought a couple of them to the robot fights and they were like, 'This is awesome.' Because no one's actually getting hurt."

He continued, "The main reason I did this show was because I saw the potential and I wanted to be part of it," and to "try to see if we could start a new combat sport."

He did caution that there will be many factors determining the success or failure of the Robot Combat League, including the editing of the show, how the audience reacts to it, and how the fights actually look on television. "It's going to be a little bit of a process."

Still, he, along with many other people, are optimistic that the Robot Combat League can establish itself as a successful venture, be it as a replacement for combat sports involving humans or as a show existing alongside them.

We discussed what his tasks were as a robo-jockey, how he had an advantage over other robo-jockeys because he could utilize his combat sports skills to control his robot, why he believes that many fans of combat sports will enjoy the Robot Combat League, and more.
♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Bradley vs Provodnikov

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion TIMOTHY BRADLEY, JR. (29-0, 12 KOs), of Palm Springs, Calif., top-rated contender RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV (22-1, 15 KOs), will take place Saturday, March 16, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Banner Promotions and Tecate, Bradley-Provodnikov will take place Saturday, March 16, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing®.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

No Holds Barred: J.P. Reese‏

On January 31, J.P. Reese fought Dave Shepherd on the Bellator MMA card in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and won a three-round unanimous decision. This fight, fought at lightweight, was on the undercard of this event. It upped his record to 9-4, and 3-0 in Bellator, but he still has not gotten a slot in a Bellator championship tournament.

Now 32 years old, and having fought professionally only since June 2010, J.P. Reese believes it is time for him to make a change.

"To be honest with you, I actually have intentions of probably going to 145 pounds," he said in this interview, which was recorded by phone Monday. "I wrestled 141 in college. I'm getting it everyday at the gym from my training partners and from my coaches, 'Hey, when are you going to drop down to 145?'" While he may not drop to that weight whenever his next fight is, he added, "Down the road I'm really anticipating going to 145 pounds."

Even if he drops to 145, however, he will still have to wait for a slot in a Bellator tournament. The Bellator season eight featherweight tournament is set to start February 7, with the season eight lightweight tournament having started a week earlier. It may not be easy to be patient at age 32 while waiting for a tournament spot, but, especially if he keeps winning his fights, this could be the year it happens for J.P. Reese.

Meanwhile, he trains at American Top Team's facility in Coconut Creek, Florida, and prepares for his next fight, which has not been set yet. He also maintains his ties with wrestling, and is an assistant wrestling coach at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, one of the top schools for wrestling in that state.

In our interview, we also discussed when he trained with other former Missouri wrestlers who are now MMA fighters, including Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren, and former Strikeforce and now UFC fighter Tyron Woodley. In addition, we discussed how he made the transition from wrestling to MMA, his most recent fights, the state of wrestling in Florida, and much more.
♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

MMA World Expo...It happens in 7 days‏

Presents the 4^th Annual MMA World Expo is just one week away! We are excited and hope you are too. Now's the time to take advantage of the pre-event registration prices, so get your tickets now!

Next week's highlights:

MMA Celebs & FightersFrankie Edgar, Nate Diaz, Big John McCarthy, Matt Serra, Mike Straka, Uriah Hall, Nick Newell, Mike Chandler and many more. Click for Details

Live Amateur MMA Fights

Watch as fighter from around the globe, including Kazakhstan, Italy, DR Congo, US Samoa, Canada and from right here in the tri-state area, compete in exciting MMA action right on the show floor. Click for Details

Renzo Gracie BJJ Open

Check out the fierce Gi and No-Gi grappling action as BJJ legend Renzo Gracie presides over his tournament chock full of arm-bars, chokes and sweeps galore! Want to compete? Click for Details

New MMA Reality TV Show- Casting Call

Exciting to watch, but even more exciting to try-out! Global Proving Ground presents, the “Warrior Island Casting Call” for aspiring MMA fighters. Click for Details

MMA Film Screenings

Grab a seat in the MMA World Expo Screenings Theater where you’ll be treated with some of the best MMA documentaries, shorts and films like: Striking Truth, Like Water, The Rise of Toquinho and dozens more. Click for Details

Training-with-the-Masters

Where else can you train with some of the world’s best fighters, Olympians and MMA coaches in one place at one time for an incredibly reasonable price? Check out the line-up: Saturday: Renzo Gracie, Vitor Shaolin, COBAN, Frankie Edgar, Iran Barkley & Juan Laporte. Sunday: Lee Kemp, Jimmy Pedro, Phil Nurse, Nate Diaz and Risk Hawn. Click for Details

Auto & Chopper Showcase

Toyota will have on display their finest vehicles including the Tundra, PJ Cruiser, Scion Series and a few specialty vehicles as well. In addition, NYC Choppers will be displaying some of their toughest custom bikes and newest designs. Click for Details

MMA Vendors

We’ve got vendors for just about everything! Apparel, Nutrition, Auto, Gear, Equipment, Gyms, Entertainment, Apps, Publications, Fight Organizations, Services—you name it, it’s at the Expo. Some leading vendors include: Toyota, Headrush, Xyience, Big John’s MMA Fight Club, World Series of Fighting, Sapphire, FDNY, Ring-to-Cage, Zebra Mats, MSG Sports, Tap Cancer Out, Gleason’s Gym and over 50 other vendors. Click for Details

After-Party

Grab a free admission ticket and drink stub at the Sapphire NY booth on Saturday and join us—and special guests- for an unforgettable night of fun. Must be 21+ and proper attire required. Click for Details

kiko martinez vs carl frampton

Timothy Bradley vs. Ruslan Provodkinov: Full press conference highlights

Timmy Bradley is back in the boxing ring on March 16th and hes not rematching Manny Pacquiao, or fighting Lamont Peterson, Robert Guerrero, Juan Manuel Marquez, Amir Khan, or Brandon Rios but rather the small but mighty Ruslan Provodkinov! Yes….the mighty…RUSLAN PROVODKINOV!
♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Floyd Mayweather goes on his facebook and twitter pages to say this:

The negotiations for my fight are almost done. The front runner is IBF Champion Devon Alexander. It'd be a unification bout at welterweight. Kell Brook must be worried by this statement! (Photo by Keisha Morrisey)

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

No Holds Barred: John Perretti, the Martist‏

No Holds Barred: John Perretti, the Martist

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again
speaks with the ex-pugilist, lifelong martial artist, former UFC and
Battlecade Extreme Fighting matchmaker, TV commentator, and our senior
correspondent, John Perretti (http://twitter.com/ACJohn Perretti).

A "martist" is a term coined by John Perretti, meaning someone who has
"the duality of the spirit of the martial and the aesthetic, a split
if you will in interests within one human being. The artist preceded
the pugilist and they have had a symbiotic relationship ever since."
John's new blog is also called "'The Martist' with John
Perretti" (http://johnperretti.com).

We spoke with John Perretti by phone Tuesday about his blog,
aesthetics and martial arts, the current states of MMA and grappling,
and more.

Although he is a pioneer in MMA and created the basics of the modern
structure of the sport, he is no longer enthusiastic about present-day
MMA. "I don't want to focus on this car accident that this sport has
become, because I don't feel that it's worth my time any longer," he
said in this interview. "I donated incredible time and energy and
resources and personal money to make this thing happen, and it for me
is something that I don't enjoy watching."

John also was the producer of the 1997 all-grappling pay-per-view
show, "The Contenders". While that show was a financial failure, he
still maintains his love of grappling: "I am a giant proponent of
grappling. Meeting Gene LeBell changed my whole life. I'm one of his
four original black belts. And that's why I started 'The Contenders'
and that's why I took striking out of the martial arts and created
straight grappling."

We also discussed fixed fights and purposeful mismatches, the need for
the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act to be extended to MMA fighters, why
he is writing his autobiography, aesthetics and martial arts, his
current coaching of weightlifting, the issues of head trauma and CTE
in combat and contact sports, and much more.

UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche

Taylor confirms opposition for February and March bouts in Dublin‏

Olympic Champion Katie Taylor faces double trouble at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin with the confirmation of both opponents for her bouts there on Sunday, February 24th and Friday, March 22nd. Taylor will begin her Road to Rio campaign when she takes on German Champion Maike Klueners in February before switching her attention to reigning Ukrainian champ Yulia Tsiplakova in March.

The bout with Klueners sold out in a matter of hours leading to the addition of a second date at the same venue on March 22nd. A limited number of tickets remain on sale for the March 22nd bout from Ticketmaster.ie and the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre box office. Taylor says she has been amazed at the response from fans and wants to reward them by putting on a show.

"I'm just so grateful for the support and I'll be looking to repay that with my performances in the ring," said Taylor. "Boxing at home is always special and I'm really looking forward to the fights. I've boxed both girls before and they are very experienced international boxers so I know what to expect. My Dad is already working on the tactics for those fights and we're working hard in the gym every day so it's great to have some fights coming up again and the fact they are in Ireland is an added bonus."

Katie’s father and trainer Pete revealed that finding opponents willing to step into the ring with his daughter has become an increasingly difficult task. "It's always been tough getting opposition for Katie but it's even tougher since the Olympics. We tried for Queen Underwood and a couple of the other top American's but their national Championships are coming up at the end of March so the dates didn't really suit them. Very few of the Europeans are willing to box her before the European Championships later this year but both Maike Klueners and Yulia Tsiplakova accepted the challenge.

"They have both been competing at the highest level in women's boxing for quite a few years now and after the Olympics Katie is the one they all want to beat and that's something we're very aware off. Both girls like to come and have a fight so they should be exciting bouts and good to watch. Katie is training as hard as ever. She's moving on from the London games now and looking to the future and retaining her Olympic, World and European titles."

Klueners says she’s looking forward to renewing her rivalry with Taylor. "Katie is a big role model for boxers across the world both male and female. Her success has been really important for female boxing and it’s now taken seriously as a sport across the world and given the respect it deserves."

However despite her respect for Taylor and what she has done for the sport Klueners says she won’t be intimidated and is happy to meet Taylor head on in Dublin. "Katie is the best female fighter in the world today but she is human too and boxing is a sport where anything is possible. I know it won’t be easy but I have a brave heart and I believe I will be a very dangerous opponent for Katie.

"I recently won the German national championships so I’m looking forward to this fight and the European Championships later in the year with confidence. Of course like Katie I am also looking forward to the 2016 Olympics. I have considered turning professional and that is always an option but once the Olympic dream catches you it’s hard to let that go."

Brian Peters who is promoting the events in association with Bray Boxing Club and Trinity Boys Boxing club says fans can expect a boxing night with a difference. "These events are about showcasing amateur boxing and also to tell Katie’s story and the remarkable journey she made against all the odds from lacing up the gloves for the first time to standing at the top of the podium in London. There will be ten bouts in total with Katie obviously the main event but her Olympic team mate Adam Nolan will also be in action as will the next generation of Katie Taylor’s."

CARD SHAPING UP FOR FEBRUARY 9TH KINGS BOXING PROMOTIONS CARD AT RODEWAY INN IN ALLENTOWN, PA COLLINS – RIVERA HEADLINES PLUS GRAYSON BLAKE TAKES ON UNDEFEATED JOHN “APOLLO KIDD” THOMPSON

On Saturday night February 9^th, boxing returns to the Rodeway Inn in Allentown, PA, Marshall Kauffman’s King’s Promotions presents a Pro-Am show.

In the eight round main event, Jr. Middleweight Keenan Collins will take on George Rivera in a rematch of their hotly contested draw that took place on April 27, 2012.

Collins of York, PA has a record of 14-7-3 with nine knockouts.

Collins is known as a quality boxer with good power and has only been defeated by the best such as former world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez as well as contenders Gabriel Rosado and Charles Whittaker.

Rivera of Charlottesville, VA is similar to Collins as his record reads 13-7-1 with four knockouts.

Rivera has signature wins over undefeated Lawrence Jones and Jesse Nickelow (19-0-1) as well as former Contender Season 1 contestant Jonathan Reid.

A quality undercard has been assembled that will feature three fights scheduled for six rounds.

In a Heavyweight fight, popular William Miranda (6-5-2) of Allentown will square off with Aaron Kinch (4-0-1, 1 KO) of Newark, NJ

In a rematch of a draw that took place on November 10^th, 2012 Jeremy Stauffer (7-2-2, 6 KO’s) will take on Elvin Sanchez (5-2-1, 4 KO’s) of Paterson, NJ in a Cruiserweight bout.

In a Super Featherweight fight, Frank De Alba (5-1-2, 2 KO’s) of Bayamon, Puerto Rico takes on Bryan Acaba (3-2, 2 KO’s) of Brooklyn, NY

In four round bouts, Pennsylvania native Samuel Quinones (0-1) looks to get in the win column when he fights Charles Mack (0-0-1) of Philadelphia, PA

Also seeing action in a four round Middleweight bout, former amateur sensation and undefeated Middleweight Antoine Douglas (2-0, 2 KO’s) of Washington, DC will take on an opponent to be named

Adrien Broner vs. Gavin Rees and Johnathon Banks vs. Seth Mitchell II Sat., Feb. 16 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City!

Adrien Broner vs. Gavin Rees and Johnathon Banks vs. Seth Mitchell II is less than 2 weeks away at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City!! Check out the official HBO Boxing

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Patrick Nielsen vs. Patrick Mendy

No Holds Barred: Will Brooks‏

A little over a month ago, although he had an undefeated record in MMA, the 26-year-old Illinois-based Will Brooks was not well-known internationally as a fighter. That all changed on December 31, 2012, when he faced the far more experienced Japanese submission master and former Sengoku lightweight champion Satoru Kitaoka on the Dream 18 New Year's Eve card in Saitama, Japan. While Kitaoka tried for submissions, Will Brooks outfought him and pulled off the upset with a second-round TKO win, thus exploding onto the international MMA scene.

That high profile and convincing win led to him being entered in the Bellator MMA season eight lightweight tournament. Just a month after his win in Japan, Will Brooks was matched up once again with yet another more experienced opponent, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and Bellator veteran Ricardo Tirloni, in the tournament quarterfinals on January 31 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. While Tirloni also tried to win this fight with submissions, Will Brooks outboxed and outwrestled him to take a three-round unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring it 30-27 in his favor.

The victory over Tirloni advanced him to the lightweight tournament semifinals, where, according to the posted brackets, he will face Saad Awad. While it has not been officially announced, that fight may take place March 7 in Temecula, California, at the Pechanga Resort and Casino, and be televised live in the U.S. on Spike TV.

Yet even with all this new-found notoriety and attention, Will Brooks has a larger vision of what he wants to accomplish.

"MIxed martial arts, I love the sport, I love competing, but also I want to be an ambassador," he said in this interview, which was recorded by phone Saturday. "I want to show people that you don't have to just be an athlete. You don't have to just be a winner. You can affect people in other ways. Plus, you can use this as a way to do that."

Of course, his goals as a fighter are to go as far as he can.

"I'm looking to be a champion at some point in my life," he continued. "Right now I think I'm on the road to doing that. I'm going to be doing this for a long time. Nothing against any of the other guys in the lightweight division, but I believe that I'm going to be a dominating force and a threat for a very long time to come."

We also discussed his transition from wrestling to football to MMA, his need to work on submissions, his training at the Midwest Training Center and with American Top Team, his boxing training for MMA and understanding of the importance of throwing straight jabs, and much more.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

DANNY GARCIA RIB INJURY FORCES POSTPONEMENT OF FEBRUARY 9 FIGHT AGAINST ZAB JUDAH FIGHT TO BE RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 27 AT BARCLAYS CENTER LIVE ON SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

DANNY GARCIA RIB INJURY FORCES POSTPONEMENT OF FEBRUARY 9 FIGHT AGAINST ZAB JUDAH FIGHT TO BE RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 27 AT BARCLAYS CENTER LIVE ON SHOWTIME

CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®

Due to a rib injury sustained while training, Danny Garcia will be unable to compete in his scheduled February 9 world title defense against Zab Judah which was to be televised by SHOWTIME® from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. As a result, the event, and its undercard bouts, have been postponed until Saturday, April 27 at Barclays Center and will be telecast live on SHOWTIME.

All tickets purchased for the February 9 event will be honored on April 27.

Garcia vs. Judah, a 12-round bout for Garcia's Unified Super Lightweight World Championship, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and supported by Golden Boy Promotions sponsors Corona and AT&T.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Middleweight World Title Fight Plus $100,000 Featherweight Tournament Complete Bellator MMA’s February 7th Gwinnett Center Event in Georgia

The Toughest Tournament in Sports continues as Bellator MMA has set a loaded Featherweight Tournament field from Atlanta’s Gwinnet Center February 7^th live on Spike TV. The night will be headlined by a Bellator Middleweight World Title fight as Russian knockout artist Alexander “Storm” Shlemenko and dominating Brazilian Maiquel “Big Rig” Falcao battle for the Bellator Middleweight Championship.

After successfully winning his second Bellator Middleweight Tournament, Shlemenko has his sights set on one thing: The Bellator Middleweight World Championship. Currently riding a nine fight win streak and holding an incredible 46-7 record, Shlemenko knows his February 7th fight will be the biggest of his career.

“Big Rig” enters the fight after three dominating tournament victories inside the Bellator cage. After competing in organizations across the world, Falcao knows he has found a home in Bellator and is hoping to etch his name into the Bellator history books on February 7th from The Arena at Gwinnett Center.

Widely regarded as one of the best featherweights in the world, Marlon Sandro is primed for an extended tournament run as he takes on Russian finisher Akop Stepanyan in opening round action. After two tournament finals appearances, Sandro is ready for the next step and capture his first Bellator Tournament crown.

“There is nothing in this world I want more than the Bellator Featherweight Title, and this is my road,” Sandro said. “I love Bellator with all my heart and I know my opportunity is now.”

Armed with two of the quickest hands in MMA, Mike “The Marine” Richman will take on Bellator newcomer Mitch Jackson in a quarterfinal affair live on Spike. With 26 finishes between the two, it’s an opening round fight primed for fireworks.

“It feels great to be back in the tournament, and to showcase my skills on Spike TV for Bellator,” Richman said. “I'm going to out class Mitch Jackson and show him he isn’t at my level. He's going to sleep, and then I plan on finishing the rest of the field and getting my title shot and that $100,000 prize.”

Two of the most exciting featherweights in the Bellator ranks go to battle when “Popo” Bezerra meets Genair da Silva in an explosive quarterfinal fight. Already 14-2 at just 25 years old, Bezerra is looking to elevate his game to the next level and embark on a long tournament run.

The Bellator Featherweight Tournament will be rounded out with a classic Brazil vs. Russia clash as Bellator newcomer and submission ace Fabricio Guerrerio clashes with Magomedrasul “Frodo” Khasbulaev. After two quick finishes inside the Bellator cage, “Frodo” is gearing up for his first taste of The Toughest Tournament in Sports.

“After my last two fights, my time is now, and February 7^th will be the start of my championship run,” Khasbulaev said.

“With a Middleweight World Title fight and the start of our $100,000 stacked Featherweight Tournament, February 7^th from the Gwinnet Center is going to be a huge night live on Spike TV,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney.

No Holds Barred: Joel Resnick on Feb. 2 RUFF Super Fights to Crown China's First National MMA Champions‏

No Holds Barred: Joel Resnick on Feb. 2 RUFF Super Fights to Crown
China's First National MMA Champions
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with
Joel Resnick, the founder and CEO of RUFF (Ranik Ultimate Fighting
Federation).

Based in China, RUFF will be holding its most important show on
Saturday, February 2, where five super fights will be held in five
different weight classes to crown, for the first time, Chinese
national MMA champions. Each of the winners will earn RMB 1,000,000
(approximately US$160,000).

This card will take place at the Inner Mongolia Indoor Stadium in
Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China, and be televised live throughout China
on Inner Mongolia Satellite Channel as well as regionally on the
Shandong Sports Channel and the Xinjiang Sports Channel.

There will be several online and mobile streams available in China, as
well as a free, live stream available to the world on PPTV, scheduled
to start at 2:30 PM China Standard Time (CST - UTC/GMT +8 hours). RUFF
will be providing more information on the telecasts and webcasts, athttp://www.ruffchina.com.

We spoke with Joel Resnick by Skype Tuesday (Monday in New York) to
preview this important card and discuss the progress of RUFF as an
organization.

"Really we've done everything we said we were going to do from the
very beginning," he said in this interview.

"We work on facts over here. Fact one: We're the only ones that have a
permit for professional MMA in China. That's just the way it is. And
our permit just got extended through 2014.

"Fact two: We're giving out the first China national MMA belts
sanctioned by the government.

"Fact three: We're giving out 1,000,000 RMB to each of the five
winners.

"Fact four: We're on satellite TV live. No combat sport has ever been
on satellite TV live in China."

He also listed some of the very impressive statistics for total TV
viewership of RUFF events in China. RUFF 5 got just over seven million
viewers, RUFF 6 got around six million viewers, with the numbers for
RUFF 7 due shortly. He added, the "Super Fight, really, we're hoping
for ten million viewers. It's the first time ever it will be aired
live nationally."

RUFF has also had a reality show with millions of viewers to
familiarize people with the mostly young group of fighters who compete
in this organization.

We also discussed the fights on this championship card, why there was
a late replacement this week for one of the fighters, how the fighters
chosen to compete on this card were selected both for their fight
records as well as how they will represent their country, the future

of RUFF, and much more.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time. EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

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