MIXED FIGHTING LEAGUE’S FIRST EVENT KICKS OFF OCTOBER 17th

Posted on | October 9, 2009 | No Comments

Montreal, September 29th 2009 – The Mixed Fighting League is proud to present its first event which will take place at the Claude-Robillard Sport Complex on October 17th. The event promises mixed martial fans an evening filled with intense action that will focus on Quebec’s most promising MMA athletes. Aptly titled “The Beginning”, this event is presented in collaboration with Bud Light, Head Rush Clothing and Days Hotel.

Dirk Waardenburg, promoter and founder of the MFL organization is extremely enthusiastic about the positive reaction he got from the people involved in combat sports in Quebec. “I believe that the creation of an organization truly dedicated to local athletes is a very well perceived idea” commented Mr. Waardenburg. “Because Quebec was such a pioneer in the early days of combat sports, we are now seeing more of an internationalization of the MMA scene, but I believe it is time to allow our young athletes to shine and to give them an opportunity to grow in the sport”.

The MFL also points out certain familiar names on the card, such as the veteran Thierry “The Surgeon” Quenneville, the dangerous Guillaume DeLorenzi, the new sensation Derek Gauthier and the very promising Yannick Galipeau.

Thierry Quenneville (13-8-0), who has been making a name for himself for the last seven years in Quebec, will try to stay on the path of victory after his recent win against Douglas Evans on February 27. The man whose only defeat in his last four fights was against the former champion of the late TKO organization, Hatsu Hioki, is determined to show his fans he still has the will to win. Headlining the fight card, Quenneville promises an action-packed bout. His opponent, Tim Tamaki (8-14-0) from the Canadian Martial arts center in Lethbridge Alberta, is still training under the tutelage of Lee Mein. The one called “The Chin” has an extensive experience and recently got back to his winning ways against Jesse Fox on September 12 after a difficult 8 fight losing streak. More motivated than ever to remain victorious, Tamaki can rely on the support of a solid team made up of Jason Day, Jesse Bongfeldt, Dan Chambers, Justin Tavernini and Jordan Mein.

The rising star Guillaume DeLorenzi (6-1-0), who is very quickly moving up the ranks and suffered his only loss to the UFC veteran “War Machine” on February 27th, will be back for a second fight in less than a month after a 6 month leave of absence from professional MMA. Having learned a lot from his loss, the athlete from Quebec city is hungry for a win. Proud of his recent victory against Lindsey Hawkes on September 19th, “Il Toro” is determined to add another victory to his record. DeLorenzi, famous for his tongue-lashings, his showmanship, and spectacular raw talent will not disappoint. He must be careful not to underestimate his opponent, Sebastien Gaguier (3-2-0). The athlete from Perpignan (France), also known as “The Linx”, is particularly dangerous on the ground and is a very close friend of the French judo sensation Ferrid Kheder. This globetrotter has trained with the likes of Joe Stevenson and Wanderlei Silva, amongst many, and is well known on the MMA scene south of the border. Garguier, who last fought Mathias Vasquez in Costa Rica as part of the Fite Nite event, is determined to do everything he can to make the fans forget his last defeat by winning against “Il Toro”. Who will come out on top?

The undefeated and well-liked Derek Gauthier (4-0-0), know to many as the next Georges St-Pierre not only because of a definite physical resemblance but also because they both trained with Stephan Potvin and Kristof Midoux, is back with a strong intention of adding a victory to his unblemished record. After disposing of Joseph Paquet, Kris Parti, Yannick Galipeau and Dave Pariseau in a most expediting fashion, this fan of quick wins learned to love short fights that end in the first round. His opponent, Mike Medrano (5-4-0), who is coming back from a loss to Mike Campbell this last September, better watch out! Medrano believes his experience will play a determining role, having fought nine times in the octagon during his pro-career. The American who trains with Team Rhino in New-Jersey is not afraid of fighting in hostile territory against a local favorite.

Another fighter who was also once compared to Georges St-Pierre for his stand-up abilities because of his Kyokushin background, Yannick Galipeau (2-2-0) will try to get his record on the plus side after two consecutive losse to both Derek Gauthier and “Sensei” Dubé. This young up-and-comer wants to use his last victory against Joseph Paquet in March 2008 as the starting point for the rest of his career. He feels very confident and should present a formidable challenge for anyone stepping in his way. The professional boxing veteran Patrick Tessier (0-0-0 in MMA), who has thirteen professional boxing fights behind him, will not have an easy task in his MMA debut. He relies on his punching power and his experience in the ring to dispose of his opponent. Back from a hard loss to Ali Nestor Charles (boxer and MMA fighter), Tessier should feel at home with the MMA crowd, having boxed in MMA events before.

Also on the MFL 1: The Beginning card will be Yan Pellerin going up against the dangerous Jason Cecil from Ontario, Dimitri Waardenburg facing off against Drummondville’s Pierre-Étienne Marcoux, the promising Stéphane Chrétien who will meet Team Legion’s rising star Kevin Morin, Guillaume Fortier fighting Érick Dumaine who is also from Drummondville’s Team Bergeron, Marcus Célestin going to war against Marc Blackburn, Sebastien Vachon facing Jeff Royer from Sherbrooke, Alexio Garcia facing T.J. Coletti, and the Acadian Bruno Lurette going up against Fred Bélanger.

Tickets for MFL 1: The Beginning are on sale now, starting at 35$ (general admission), 55$ (seats), or 125$ (a seat at a vip table for 8) on the Admission network (514-790-1245) or 1-800-361-4595. Tickets are also available online at :

http://www.admission.com/html/artist.htmI?l=FR&artist=MFL+FIGHTS+THE+BEGINNING

Fight card for MFL 1 : The Beginning

145 lb – Thierry Quenneville vs Tim Tamaki

155 lb – Guillaume DeLorenzi vs Sébastien Garguier

170 lb – Derek Gauthier vs Mike Medrano

215 lb – Yan Pellerin vs Jason Cecil

170 lb – Yannick Galipeau vs Patrick Tessier

185 lb – Marcus Célestin vs Marc Blackburn

135 lb – Dimitri Waardenburg vs Pierre-Étienne Marcoux

155 lb – Stéphane Chrétien vs Kevin Morin

145 lb – Sébastien Hamel vs Brian Da Silva

145 lb – Guillaume Fortier vs Érik Dumaine

155 lb – Sébastien Vachon vs Jeff Royer

170 lb – Alexio Garcia vs T.J. Coletti

185 lb – Bruno Lurette vs Fred Bélanger