AFO Summer Brawl June 17th in Mansfield, MA

Posted on | June 6, 2011 | No Comments

For Tickets, Visit www.AFOMMA.com or call 401-286-3413

When the undefeated Tyler King (3-0, 2 KO’s, 1 submission) takes on Bellator veteran Randy Smith (11-9-1, 5 KO’s, 5 submissions) June 17^th in Mansfield, Massachusetts for the vacant AFO heavyweight championship, it is believed that he will be the first NFL veteran to fight for a professional mixed martial arts title.

“Tyler King has always been an impressive athlete, but has really rounded out his mixed martial arts game over the past year and become the heavyweight prospect to watch out for in the New England scene.” AFO President Pete Dilorenzo said recently.

King, who had NFL stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers, is part of a list that includes Herschel Walker, Matt Mitrione and Marcus Jones as NFL vets who have tried their hands at MMA. However, he’ll be the first of any of them to fight for a title.

NFL players have found mixed success inside the MMA cage. The afore mentioned Walker has done well against carefully picked opposition in Strikeforce, Jones did well on the regional circuit before retiring after his lone official UFC bout and Mitrione is considered one of the fastest rising prospects in the UFC heavyweight division. Former Detroit Lions Wide Receiver Johnnie Morton was KO’d in his lone MMA appearance so bad that he needed to be taken out of the ring in a stretcher.

Prior to turning pro, King accrued an unbeaten record in a brief amateur career. He made his pro debut at AFO New Year’s Redemption this past January. He trains out of Connor’s MMA in Norwood, MA and is a graduate of the University of Connecticut where he was a standout on the football field. His father, Steve King, played for the New England Patriot’s in the 70’s and famously intercepted Joe Namath twice in one game.

Media Credentials for legitimate members of the press are available; please email AFOPressMedia@gmail.com for your request by Friday June 10^th. The AFO reserves the right to deny credentials. Press row seats are limited.