So You Wanna Fight

Coming to Kamloops BC Saturday July 23 at the KXA Fairgrounds. Get out there and fight!
OR
just get out there and watch some local talent throw down in the ring!

info: http://www.soyouwannafight.com

Here are some highlights from Summer Slugfest IV in 2010.

Vancouver switched into MMA mode with a double stacked weekend with MMA Expo in town at the trade and convention centre for two days, and the UFC 131 Circus in town. All this, right after the mayhem in the streets with 200,000 hockey fans when Vancouver Canucks won game 5 on Friday Night.

MMA is still growing out on the west coast and now even major media is taking note, with CBC even stopping by MMA Expo to look in on the growth of the sport. The Expo was well received in Vancouver with fans filling the hall to get deals on gear, photos and autographs for fans, and to watch or take part in the tournament and celebrity seminar run by top level trainers and fighters. The expo had everything to delight fans with photos and autographs with mma fighters like Jake Sheilds, Shonie Carter, Matt Serra, Carlos Newton, Stefan Struve, Thiago Alves and others. There were long lineups to meet the big names, but hey, sometimes it has to be done. There were also a bevy of MMA Hotties making the rounds at the event.

It was good to see some friends there like MMAsucka, F.I.L.E.S. Magazine, Battlefield Fight League, Westcoast promotions, and others.

Swag is my favourite part of trade shows, and the booths were generous with stickers, drinks (did I mention that Rockstar has a lager beer out now), sports supplements, coupons, t-shirts, posters, and more.

We know that many loyal MMA fans have had their attention redirected by the hockey fever going on in our city, but its clear that the sport and fans of MMA still have managed to make a huge impression on life in Vancouver.

AFC 6 Features Middleweight Title Defense Plus ADCC World Champion Robert Drysdale’s Toughest Test
VICTORIA (BC): Victoria-based Armageddon Fighting Championship has announced the line-up for their sixth event, AFC 6: “Conviction” to be held at the home of the AFC, Bear Mountain Arena on Saturday, June 18th. In the main event of the evening, AFC middleweight champion Kalib Starnes (10-6-1)will face-off for the 185 lb belt against UFC and Strikeforce veteran John Salter (6-2).

Along with the title defense AFC 6: “Conviction” will feature the return of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu phenom Robert Drysdale, the 2007 ADCC Open Weight Champion and three time world Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion. Robert is the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach of many of the world’s top MMA athletes including Forrest Griffin and Frank Mir. He will face a stiff test against 3X Pan American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gold medalist, former UFC vet and Ultimate Fighter cast member Mike Nickels (9-4).

Derek Medler (5-0) puts his undefeated record on the line against Jaret Evens (7-3) in this highly anticipated match up. This event will also feature a heavyweight tilt between 2 former CFL players and BC Lion draft picks. Victoria’s own Justin Shaw (2-0) drafted 18th overall in 2007 against Vancouver’s Paul Cheng (4-1 pro boxer) drafted 6th overall in 2002. Plus Andrew Buckland (13-8) vs. Chase Deganhardt (7-2), and local standouts Corey Gower (3-0), Ryan Janes (2-1), Karel Bergen (3-0), Nathan Swayze (1-1), Chris Jones (3-1), and Tristan Connelly (1-2).

AFC 6 – Full Card

Kalib Starnes 10-6 vs. John Salter 6-2 185
Robert Drysdale 2-0 vs. Mike Nickels 9-4 205
Derek Medler 5-0 vs. Jaret Evans 7-3 170
Andrew Buckland 13-8 vs. Chase Degenhardt 7-2 185
Justin Shaw 2-0 vs. Paul Cheng 0-0 265
Chris Jones 3-1 vs. Dan Ring 2-0-1 155
Ryan Janes 2-1 vs. Duncan Wilson 2-1 185
Corey Gower 3-0 vs. Brendan Frost 2-3 140
Karel Bergen 3-0 vs. Ethan Owusu 1-1 170
Nathan Swayze 1-1 vs. Brian Coldwell 2-2 185
Tristan Connelly 1-2 vs. Upneet Rai 2-3

Quest For Glory FC “The Beginning” Fight card

Quest for Glory FC is pleased to announce that 170 lbs and 185 lbs tournaments have been added to the June 17th show at the Croatian Cultural Center in Vancouver.

The card will feature 13 action packed bouts with 3 MMA titles and 1 Muay Thai title on the line.

The four man Grand Prix Welterweight (170 lbs) Tournament will be between:

Saied Mizrai (Reality Martial Arts) and Josh Mazzerolle
Braedon Szlabon (World Class Martial Arts) and Chris Anderson 2.0 (Island Warriors)

The four man Grand Prix Middleweight (185 lbs) Tournament will feature:

Bela Bajai (Franco’s) and Jean Allard (Pheonix Rising)
Mikel Dupont (Infusion Fight Team) and Kiarash Moghaddam (Versus 21)

QFG is also revealing their fight card.

BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE
OLIVER VAJDA (CARLSON GRACIE) VS RONALD DIAZ (DIAZ COMBAT SPORTS)

LIGHTWIEGHT TITLE
RYAN CHRISTOPHER (WESTCOAST BJJ) VS BRANDON SHORTER (REVOLUTION)

WELTERWIEGHT TITLE
SHAWN PALLAN (Dragons Den ELITE) VS CHRIS ANDERSON (COMOX VALLEY  MMA)

160 LB MUAY THAI TITLE
JOSH WRIGHT (DRAGONS DEN) VS JOE HALFAR (POSENERS PANKRATION)

WELTERWEIGHT NUMBER 1 CONTENDER
JAKE LINDELL (CANUSA) VS VICTOR THE DRAGON WANG (POSENERS)

HEAVYWEIGHT
ROBERT MOOSE PALMER (WORLD CLASS) VS ROBIN LAYBOURN (AEGIS ATHLTICS)

MIDDLEWEIGHT TOURNAMENT
BELA BAJAI (FRANCO’S) VS JEAN ALLARD (Phoenix Rising)

MIDDLEWEIGHT TOURNAMENT
MIKEL DUPONT (INFUSION FIGHT TEAM) KIARASH MOGHADDAM (Versus 21)

WELTERWEIGHT TOURNAMENT
JOSH MAZEROLLE (INDY) VS SAID MIRZAEI (REALITY MARTIAL ARTS)

WELTERWEIGHT TOURNAMENT
BRAEDEN SZLABON (WORLD CLASS MMA) VS CHRIS ANDERSON 2.0 (ISLAND WARRIORS)

FEATHERWEIGHT
RENFRED BASSARA (TEAM DANARIUS) DEE OBARO (FIGHT PIT)

FEATHERWEIGHT
ALEX HOUSTON (INFUSION FIGHT TEAM) VS GARY GILL (WEST COAST BJJ)

The show will be head-lined by one of the city’s most anticipated re-matches: Oliver Vajda (4-0 Carlson Gracie Jiu Jitsu) will defend his title against former opponent Ronald Diaz.

Diaz has accepted the match after the wrist injury to Walter Barrios. Everyone wishes Walter a speedy recovery but the show must go on.
The previous match between Vajda and Diaz in 2010 was a grueling affair that left many fans on the edge of their seats with a close split decision. The rematch promises to a thrilling and heavy hitting contest.
The finely tuned ground game and striking abilities of the two opponents is unparalleled.
You will only be able to see this epic battle at the Quest for Glory Fighting Championships on June 17th.

Another excellent match is scheduled between Shawn Pallan (Dragon’s Den Elite MMA and Fitness 2-0 in MMA and 3-1 Muay Thai) versus Chris Anderson (Vancouver Island 3-0 ) for the Welterweight title.

The third MMA title contest of the evening will be in the 155 lbs Lightweight division. It will feature Coast BJJ’s undefeated Ryan Christopher (BC’s P4P #10) vs Brandon Shorter Revolution/Tactix. It promises to be a very exciting contest.

Joe Halfar (Posner’s Pankration 5-1) and Josh Wright 3-1 (Dragon’s Den Elite MMA and Fitness) will square off for the 160 lbs Muay Thai title bout. This is the fourth title bout planned for the evening and is expected to be an exciting and thrilling match.

An interesting non-title match has former Western Canadian Muay Thai champion and two time former BC Muay Thai Victor “The Dragon” Wang (Posners’s Pankration) (8-1 Muay Thai, 2-1 MMA) squaring off against undefeated Jake Lindell (4-0 Spokane CanUSA Fight Team) in a Canada versus USA MMA bout.

Tickets are on sale through ticketscene.ca. Visit QuestforGloryfc.com for more info. Tickets will sell fast, so be a part of history and witness the welterweight tournament.

Quest for Glory, ‘The Beginning’ will be on June 17th at the Croatian Cultural Center in Vancouver BC.

PrideGym in Trail BC hosted the AM Ford Fight Night 2011 in Trail BC. Here are the photos to go with the results below.

You can see all the fight photos on my pool on flickr.com:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/superwebdeveloper/sets/72157626510002690/

Before UFC came to Vancouver, the biggest fight night in BC was in Trail, BC, and it is still the biggest event for amateur MMA in all of British Columbia. With Special guests Jonathan Brookins and Cody McKenzie from the Ultimate Fighter. More info after the poster:

Date: Saturday, April 16th, 2011 7:00 pm
Location: Cominco Arena

Details:
Fight Night is back, bigger and better than ever. Special guests are Jonathan Brookins and Cody McKenzie from the Ultimate Fighter.

Ringside and VIP seats are limited. Tickets are onsale at AM Ford, Pride Gym and Performance Fitness in Trail, Tribute Boardship in Nelson and the Element in Castlegar or reserve by phone by calling (250) 364-0202 or 1-800-961-0202.

Ticket Prices:
General Admission $30
Floor Seating $50
VIP $80
VIP Ringside $125

Tickets prices are $5 extra at the door.

Fight Card

Brad Causey vs J.J. Mix (MMA)

Del Melnyk vs Stephan Frictra (MMA)
Wesley Neil vs Mark Aparico (MMA)
Jordan Knippelberg vs Curtis Blackmore (MMA)
River Jones vs Cheryl Chan (MMA)
CJ Bagg vs Steve Gilkes (MMA)
Ron Forry vs Rene Grenon (MMA)
Jake Rudkoski vs Darby Sooprimo (Amateur MMA)
J.J. Shubert vs Jose Cornejo (Amateur MMA)
Chris Luening vs Ryan Foster (Amateur MMA)
Curtis Ready vs Sukh Gill (Muay Thai)
Nathan Johre vs Jeff Blackmore (Amateur MMA)
Chelsea Brough vs TBA (Amateur MMA)
Sandy Bagg vs Kyle Fortch (Amateur MMA)
Bill Cameron vs Ian Odland (Amateur MMA)
Laura Coombs vs Carly Frew (?)
Sheldon Doll vs Callum Ross (MMA)

Gionco International presents Fight at the View 5 February 25th 2011. Come out for a night of top quality local amateur MMA and kickboxing.

My fight blog has covered all of the MMA fight nights presented by WestCoastPromotions. Now they are back with SEEING RED 2, MMA live in the cage at Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam BC.

The main event will feature Murray “Showtime” Sogan facing “Sinister” Andrew Small for the West Coast MMA Title. The Co-main will see Emillio Ditrocchio face Rob “Wolverine” Woodcock for the Featherweight Strap. The Bantamweight Tile fight will have James “Haitian Devastation” Pratt vie with Oliver Vajda.

Muay Thai fans will be treated to three bouts featuring the West Coast middleweight Muay Thai title bout between Joe Halfar and Isak Van Borgondien.

Check us out on http://www.facebook.com/westcoastpromotions and http://www.twitter.com/westcoastfight

Info page: http://www.westcoastpromotions.ca/Events/MMA_IV/default.aspx

The King of Rock fight night, slated for February 12 2011 in Campbell River BC will bring top level amateur MMA fights conducted with the highest standards for fighter safety, judging, and refereeing.

The card will be announced soon, with 15 fights planned. Expect to see some of the fighters already seen in other local fight series.

The first in a series of fight events planned for Campbell River, King of The Rock will also feature training camp dates with Neil Melanson from Randy Coture’s gym, as well as a charity fund-raiser for BC Children’s Hospital with KOTR gorgeous ring girls.

More info: http://kingoftherock.com/