O’Connor splits glove in winning performance

Posted on | February 4, 2009 | No Comments

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (February 4, 2009) – Legends are made from incidents like 2008 U.S. Olympic first alternate Danny O’Connor experienced last weekend in Canada, when his glove split after he pounded pro-debuting Greg Jimenez’s body with monster-like hooks en route to a win by 4-round decision off-television on ESPN Friday Night Fights show, headlined by the IBF light welterweight title fight between Juan Urango and Herman Ngoudjo at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

The 23-year-old O’Connor (3-0, 1 KO) turned in the best performance of his young pro carer, but what fans there will remember is seeing Danny hit his opponent so hard that his glove literally split. “I don’t know what happened and nobody there had seen anything like it,” O’Connor explained. “I hit him with a clean body shot and the stuffing and padding started coming out. They had to stop the fight, cut-off my gloves, and put on a new pair. It had to be a 7-minute ordeal.”

“Danny had been hitting him with some really effective body shots and after one good shot in the third round,” O’Connor’s head trainer and co-manager David Keefe added, “his glove split open and the fight had to be stopped. He had the kid hurt but never put him away because of the long break.”

O’Connor won on all three judges’ scorecards – 40-36, 40-36, 40-34 – and his impressive performance locked-up his first ESPN Friday Night Fights appearance in the opening bout February 27.

“I had a great time in Canada,” Danny remarked. “It was a very well run show in a great atmosphere. Everybody was nice to me. It was my best performance as a pro. Each fight is a learning experience for me. I fought real well and was relaxed during the entire fight. I felt so good I could have easily fought six rounds.

“Fighting on ESPN means a lot to me, not just because it’s national television, but so many of my fans haven’t been able to watch me fight. Now, they won’t have to wait until they read about my fight the next day. They can watch with their own eyes. I’m very excited to showcase my tools on ESPN to a lot of people who’ve never seen me fight before.”

O’Connor, fighting out of Framingham (MA), won last year’s US Future Stars National Championship, in which he was named Most Outstanding Boxer, as well as the 2008 National Golden Gloves Tournament. Danny, who signed a promotional contract with Seminole Warriors Boxing, defeated 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz, of the Dominican Republic, last May as an amateur in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet.

“We’re all very excited about Danny fighting on ESPN,” Keefe commented. “When (co-manager) Rob (Valle) and I wanted to go with a promoter, one of the keys was signing with a promoter who could get Danny exposure like this and had a plan that we can work with. (Seminole Warriors Boxing executive director) Leon (Margules) has that plan and getting Danny on ESPN in only his fourth pro fight is another step towards getting Danny to the top. It’s a great marketing tool for a good, young boxer. Fighting in Montreal on that card was a great experience for all of us because we were around Team Urango and saw first-hand what it’s like and takes to win a world championship.”

For more information about Danny O’Connor go online to www.dannyoconnorboxing.com.

-DO-

STATION CASINOS PRE-PLANNING FOR BANKRUPTCY

Posted on | February 4, 2009 | No Comments

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Several reports came out today detailing the financial troubles of Station Casinos that are now coming to a very interesting crescendo. Station Casinos is managed and partially owned by the same Fertittas who are the 90% owners of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It looks like bankruptcy is truly imminent, and the Fertitta Family is willing to put up $244 million to make the process more agreeable and help restructure some debt. Check out the following links for more information on the crisis for Station Casinos:

UPDATE 2-Station Casinos misses payment, considers bankruptcy

Station Casinos Proposes Prepackaged Bankruptcy to Cut Debt

Station Casinos seeks deal with bondholders

Station Casinos misses bond interest payment-analyst

Trouble ahead for Debt-Laden Casinos

Station Casinos Announces Solicitation of Acceptances for Restructuring Plan; Fertitta Family and Colony Capital Commit to Invest, in the Aggregate, Up to $244 Million if Acceptable Accord is Reached

It will be interesting to see if this has any major impact on the UFC. The Fertittas and Dana White are already paying down a $350 million senior secured credit facility themselves and could run into trouble with that payment schedule if the Station Casinos trouble gets any worse. Unless Dana White’s got some major cash on reserve it looks like it may be time to start shopping the UFC around to see if anyone might buy it for the far-fetched billion-dollar price tag that’s been plugged by press outlets as prominent as Forbes Magazine. Chances are the UFC is strong enough to survive and thrive without a need for any kind of major cash infusion in the near future, but if Station Casinos does not recover and the UFC suffers any big setbacks in the coming months we might see the league get into some trouble paying interest on their $350 million financing package. One thing is pretty certain, the UFC is not going bankrupt anytime soon. Only time will tell what will happen in the long run. Stay tuned.

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Giant Video Display Added to Provide Close-Ups, Instant Replays, at Midwest Cage Championship Promotions Beginning with MCC19:The Return

Posted on | February 4, 2009 | No Comments

Des Moines, IA- February 4, 2009- The production level of live professional mixed martial arts (MMA) in Iowa becomes elevated to a new level on Saturday, March 14 when Midwest Cage Championship brings MCC 19: The Return, to the Val Air Ballroom. Attendees will benefit from the addition of a 7 by 10 foot video display to get a closer look at ten bouts, including the interim Lightweight Championship and main event when undefeated Joe “The Hammer” Brammer versus Kansas City superstar Michael Johnson. Brammer has not fought in an MCC event since 2006, and his bout against Gracie Barra fighter Johnson could prove the fight of the year, certainly so far. The winner, thus interim champ, will face current MCC champion Bryce Teager to unify the title in a bout scheduled for later this year.

Other key bouts include Alex Harper taking on grappling phenom Jake “Dirty Bird” Brown as Harper comes off a devastating knockout win over Colby Karaidos in MCC 18. Another highly anticipated fight occurs when Brian “Smokin” Green returns to MCC action facing Evan Marks. Both men had the near capacity crowd at MCC 18 on their chairs with their victorious wins. Green won by submission over Jason Loucke and Marks win by brutal knockout over Ronnie Britt. Green, a former MCC Middleweight champion, has been clear with his intent to regain the belt and not allowing anyone to stand in his way.

In a perfect match up in the Bantam Weight division, feet and fists will fly a million miles per hour as Nate “Teddy Bear” Williams takes on Johnny La Prai in both fighters pro debuts. Williams, a classically trained and successful wrestler, puts his skills against nationally known boxer La Prai. This fight could go any direction, knowing the one certainty is the speed of the action.

Bouts featuring Paul “Gingabread Man” Bird, Ronnie “Warfrog” Britt, and Josh “The Bull” Christensen are sure to be other crowd favorites.

The crowd is sure to be pleased as views of the fights will be greatly improved via the giant video display. The display is being installed by All Over Media, the nations premier provider of indoor advertising, based on the formation of a strategic marketing agreement with Midwest Cage Championship. All Over Media provides technology and advertising content for national brands as well as local businesses to outlets including Wells Fargo Arena, Applebee’s, Champs, Hooters, and other high traffic locations. “We’re thrilled to participate in such an exciting sport, and feel we found the perfect fit with MCC”, stated All Over Media/Iowa owner Randy Luedtke. “We attended previous MCC events at the Val Air to determine what improvements could be delivered and found the addition of digital video at the top of the list for many of the people we spoke with”, Luedtke concluded.

Tickets for MCC 19: The Return are on sale now and can be purchased at the Val Air box office, by phone at 515-223-6152, and on-line at http://midwestcagechampionship.com

For complete information on Midwest Cage Championship, please visit the company’s web site

http://www/midwestcagechampionship.com

CAGE WARS COMING TO BELFAST

Posted on | February 4, 2009 | No Comments

Mixed Martial Arts To Expand Into NASCAR Territory

Posted on | February 4, 2009 | No Comments

By Scoop Malinowski

Ernest Hemingway once supposedly said there are only three real sports: Auto racing, boxing and bull fighting.

Later this month the cultures of auto racing and man-on-man combat will meet for the first time in Daytona Beach, Florida at the Daytona 500 race weekend. Just three miles down the road from the renowned Daytona speedway at the Ocean Center, a mixed martial events show will be staged on the night before Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart attempt to win America’s most prestigious stock car race. This unique idea is the brainchild of former NASCAR employee Doug Bland, founder of the Xtreme Cagefighting Federation.

“What more could the fan base of both sports ask for in one weekend?” asks Bland, who has 13 years of experience working in motor sports. “With over 200,000 people expected in Daytona that weekend, it allows the Xtreme Cagefighting Federation the opportunity to help make history by introducing each sports fan base to something new. Given the chance to see MMA live, we’re hoping it will cross-pollinate the dem ographics.”

The services of a world-class mixed martial artist fighter have been hired, as popular veteran UFC and Pride fighter Frank Trigg has agreed to headline the Xtreme Cagefighting Federation event. Bland says the two sports are very similar to each other. “How the businesses are structured, the drivers and fighters are independent contractors,” Bland says. “They are independent people who put their lives on the line each time they compete. The difference is drivers work almost every week from February to November. The fighters train for two or three fights a year. NASCAR has been around for 58 years now. It steadily built from a regional business to a worldwide phenomenon.”

Bland believes MMA is in the early stages of a NASCAR-type boom and that the consumers of NASCAR will support the MMA product, if they are exposed to it. “You’re looking at adrenaline junkies,” says Bland. “They want to see something happen – a crash at 200 miles per hour. Or see someone get knocked out.”

If the Xtreme Cagefighting Federation Event in Daytona is a success, Bland has plans to produce two to four more MMA events in conjunction with NASCAR races in 2009, with one show possibly to be held on speedway property. From there, he thinks the NASCAR model can help cultivate MMA into a more powerful and prosperous business entity. “What MMA is missing is the corporate sponsorship side to it,” says Bland. “Racing has captured the sponsorship aspect and relies so much on it. That’s what MMA is not doing yet. They’re not creating the stars, having their athletes cross-branch as spokespeople outside of the MMA arena.”

Appearing with Frank Trigg on the XCF event in Daytona on February 14 will be former UFC fighter Terry Martin, Jesse Taylor, Jeremy May, former NFL player Marcus Jones and Daytona Beach resident Todd Cutler. Tickets are priced from $25 to $100 for cageside seating. More info about the event can be found at www.xcfmma.com.

SUPPORT THIS BLEACHER REPORT BY RICH BERGERON

Posted on | February 4, 2009 | No Comments

SUPPORT THIS BLEACHER REPORT ON THE REAL HISTORY BEHIND THE UFC’S ROYAL FAMILY

One of World’s Most Popular MMA Athletes Latest Star To Sign On To Create Collectible

Posted on | February 3, 2009 | 1 Comment

MARKHAM, Ontario, Canada, January 22, 2009 – Known across the world and considered by many to be the best fighter in the sport of mixed martial arts today, Russian star Fedor Emelianenko of M?1 Global has partnered with Round 5, the leader in collectible MMA figurines, to create a piece to be made available later this year. The heavyweight joins an All?Star lineup of 12 MMA standouts who currently work with Round 5 to produce their respective figures.

The announcement comes on the heels of last week’s notice that stars Andrei “The Pit Bull” Arlovski – Fedor’s opponent in this Saturday’s Affliction “Day of Reckoning” event – will be one of four stars to be featured in Round 5’s Series 3 release this spring, along with “Big John” McCarthy, Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira. Series 3 is scheduled to be available at retail outlets throughout North America and online at www.Round5MMA.com beginning in April.

Fedor and the Round 5 team will begin work on creating his figurine in the coming weeks. The Fedor figures will be part of a future Series issue to be determined.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me,” said Emelianenko. “I am looking forward to going through the process of making this the best figurine that we can. I think fans will appreciate that I will have a big role in how it looks and will enjoy the final product.”

“We are thrilled to be working with Fedor to customize this superstar’s figurine,” said Damon Lau, Round 5 President. “His worldwide popularity and recognition as the world’s best mixed martial artist make him a natural to make a high?quality collectible that his many fans can enjoy. The timing of his signing is perfect, too, as he will be competing in the highly?anticipated bout with another Round 5 athlete in Andrei Arlovski this weekend.”

Emelianenko, 32, has been the most dominant MMA heavyweight this decade. He enters the bout with Arlovski with a record of 28?1, including 25 straight victories dating back to December 2000. A long?time PRIDE champion, he won his Affliction debut by submitting Tim Sylvia just 36 seconds into the first round in his last action this past July.

Other MMA stars who have worked with Round 5 include Randy Couture, Matt Hughes, Quinton ‘Rampage? Jackson and Tito Ortiz (Series 1); and Rich Franklin, Sean Sherk, Anderson Silva and Wanderlei Silva (Series 2).

As in the earlier Series, Fedor will maintain creative control of his likenesses, including the pose, facial design and shorts. He will have a major hand in creating the final design and will benefit from a royalty agreement that gives him a considerable portion of the proceeds from the sale of his unit.

Round 5 collectible figures may be purchased at leading retailers such as Toys ‘R’ Us, Champs Sports and FYE. Other retailers can be found at www.Round5MMA.com/wheretobuy.php.

In addition to Fedor, Round 5 plans to release collectibles of three additional series of athletes in 2009, one during each quarter. Other athletes to be represented in those series are yet to be announced.

About Round 5
Round 5 (www.Round5MMA.com), headquartered in Markham, Ontario, Canada, is the MMA industry’s fastest growing worldwide collectible figure company. Committed to developing intricately detailed figures, Round 5 strives to remain true to the sport of MMA and its personalities.

Estrada, Lashley out of PFC ‘Best of both Worlds’ Event

Posted on | February 3, 2009 | No Comments

LEMOORE, Calif. – Local boxing fans were looking forward to the return of Shawn Estrada and mixed martial arts fans were looking forward to the Palace Fighting Championship debut of Bobby Lashley.

For now people will have to wait, as both will miss their Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino debuts due to injury.

Junction City, Kan.’s Lashley (1-0) was scheduled to headline the show in a heavyweight bout against Tacoma, Wash.’s Scott Hayes (4-0) on Friday at the Palace.

Hayes will stay on and fight Santa Rosa, Calif.’s Rick Cheek (4-3).

Meanwhile, Estrada, who is a 2008 U.S. Olympic Team member from the neighboring city of Hanford, Calif., is scheduled to make his Palace debut later this year. The young middleweight is 2-0.

Goossen Tutor promotions and the Palace will host a night of championship boxing, which features Olympic Gold Medalist and current NABO Super Middleweight Champion Andre Ward (17-0) of Oakland, Calif. in a 12-round title bout against Capitol Heights, Md.’s Henry Buchanan (17-1).

The main card of the boxing show will be part of ShoBox and can be seen live on Showtime and also feature a bout between Covina, Calif. lightweight John Molina (14-0) vs. Washington, D.C.’s Joshua Allotey (16-6).

Also in action on the boxing portion of the 17-bout show is an 8-round heavyweight bout featuring Wasco, Calif.’s Manuel Quezada (25-4) and Puyallup, Wash.’s Eric Boose (14-3-1).

Arguably the best women’s boxer in the world, Watsonville, Calif.’s Carina Moreno (20-1) will take on Las Vegas, Nev.’s Sharon Gaines (11-11-1) in an 8-round flyweight bout.

Highlighting the MMA action is a women’s lightweight bout between American Gladiator’s “Steel”, as Chicago, Ill.’s Erin Toughill (8-2-1) takes on Milwaukee, Wis.’s Karen Williams (3-1).

Las Vegas, Nev. flyweight Ulysses Gomez (2-1) will take on Sacramento, Calif. David Suarez (2-1).

Hanford, Calif. featherweight Chad Mendes (1-0) will tangle with Reno, Nev.’s Leland Gridley (3-4) and flyweights Williamston, Mich.’s Alexis Vila (3-0) takes on Sioux Falls, S.D.’s Ben Nguyen (10-2).

Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone 1-800-225-2277 and at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino gift shop.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and fights start at 5.

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