January 17, 2018

    Jersey Lioness – featuring UFC fighter Katlyn Chookagian

    Myles Painter 17/01/2018

    For the first time since 2010, the UFC will head back to North Carolina with UFC On Fox 27 on January 27. In today’s episode of Across The Pond, you will meet a tough eastern lioness whose propensity to constantly press the action combined with a champion’s mentality makes her a intriguing prospect for the newly created Women’s Flyweight division. A professional since June 2014 and representing Team Renzo Gracie alongside the likes of Frankie Edgar and numerous others, 29 year old Katlyn Chookagian owns a 9-1 record in ten career bouts consisting of six decisions, two knockouts and one submission. Katlyn is also a Cage Fury Fighting Championships veteran. In her MMA debut at CFFC 37, Katlyn defeated Rebecca Heintzman via unanimous decision. She knocked out Brigette Narcise in round three at WSOF 13. Then, Katlyn defeated Lynn Wennegren via unanimous decision. She submitted Melinda Fabian in the first round via armbar. At CFFC 52, Katlyn defeated Sijara Eubanks via unanimous decision. She also defeated Isabelly Varella via unanimous decision at CFFC 55. At CFFC 57, she knocked out Stephanie Bragayrac in the first round. In her UFC debut at UFN 91 Katlyn defeated Lauren Murphy via unanimous decision. For her 3rd UFC appearance, she faced Irene Aldana at UFC 210 and defeated her via split decision. At UFC On Fox 27 on January 27 Katlyn will face Mara Romero Borella in a Women’s Flyweight encounter. Good luck Katlyn! Attached video – Katlyn’s CFFC highlights –  

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    No Quick Return for GSP

    Peter Knox 17/01/2018

    Any future UFC return for GSP is still very much in the balance. John Danaher who is GSP’s grappling coach has said this on Joe Rogan’s MMA Show – “The truth is that no one knows because it comes down to medical problems, Georges has a problem in his stomach. I’m not gonna claim to be a medical expert but it’s one of the most frustrating things Georges has had to deal with. . . The truth is, no one really knows at this point. Wherever there’s doubt my instinct is to think, ‘Do you really want to come back Georges? You’ve done all this and it was [an] amazing [way to end his career.]’” GSP at 36 and after a long MMA career really has nothing left to prove, he came back from nearly 4 years away to beat Michael Bisping and win his 2nd UFC title, which he vacated soon after citing his medical problems. GSP has a 26-2 MMA record, both defeats avenged, so what is there left to achieve. A fight with Tyron Woodley to reclaim his old Welterweight title is one option, but that surely is going over old ground. More enticing might be a super fight with Conor McGregor, which could be a big enough challenge and money spinner to tempt McGregor back. Personally GSP clearly isn’t the fighter he once was, and I would like to see, just once a great fighter leave the sport on a high.

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    BAMMA 34 Adds 3 Bouts

    Frankie 17/01/2018

    BAMMA announces three new blockbuster fights that have been added to BAMMA 34: Lohore Vs. Brazier. BAMMA Middleweight Title Mike ‘Seabass’ Shipman Vs. Johan ‘Air’ Romming The first of the three new bouts added is a huge Middleweight title fight, with the current champion Mike ‘Seabass’ Shipman making the first defence of his newly won title against the challenger Johan ‘Air’ Romming from Mulhouse, France. This will be a fiercely fought battle from the first bell to its conclusion, and with both fighters coming off highlight reel KO’s this could be a blink and you miss it battle. Welterweight Bout ‘Mr Bag & Tag’ Nathan Jones Vs. Shah ‘No Pain’ Hussain After his shock defeat to rising star Adam Proctor in Newcastle, Jones once more finds himself on the road to redemption as he makes his way back on the path to the BAMMA Welterweight title. Shah Hussain makes his first appearance on BAMMA since BAMMA 7, and is looking to hit back and establish himself at the top of the UK Welterweight rankings. Lightweight Bout Charlie Boy Howard Vs. Akonne ‘The Jedi’ Wanliss The hugely popular Charlie Boy Howard makes his second appearance at BAMMA as he faces off against pro debutant Akonne ‘The Jedi’ Wanliss. Despite running into the roadblock of David ‘Demolition Man’ Khalsa in his debut at BAMMA 31, Howard is now looking to play the spoiler himself as Wanliss debuts. Akonne ‘The Jedi’ Wanliss is no stranger to the promotion as he won the BAMMA Invitational Amateur tournament in 2015. Finishing his amateur career with a 8-1-1 record, he now looks to dominate the lightweight division as part of a new breed of fighters that are coming through the ranks. Mike ‘Seabass’ Shipman (11-1) Shipman continues to be one of the UK’s most consistent fighters in the Middleweight division. Having not lost a fight since his debut against Aaron Brett in 2001, the ‘Sea Bass’ is now riding an 11 fight win streak after beating the former champ Yannick ‘Black Mamba’ Bahati at BAMMA 31. Johan ‘Air’ Romming (10-5-1) Romming comes into the title shot against Shipman off the back of a brutal highlight reel KO of Leeroy Barnes. The Team Romming fighter from Mulhouse, France is considered a submission specialist, but has power in his hands too when required. This will be Romming’s BAMMA debut and he has signed a multi fight deal with the promotion. ‘Mr. Bag & Tag’ Nathan Jones (11-7) The ever popular Nathan Jones never lets a loss stop him. Getting straight back into the thick of the Welterweight division, the Richmond based fighter is determined to prove that the losses will only make him a more dangerous opponent as he learns from his mistakes. BAMMA 34 will see Jones making his eigth appearance for the promotion, which ties him with former dual division champion Tom ‘Firekid’ DuQuesnoy for number of appearances on BAMMA. Shah ‘No Pain’ Hussain (11-12) The Team Crossface fighter returns to BAMMA after an absence of 6 years. After dropping a decision to current Welterweight world title contender Terry ‘The Dominator’ Brazier in 2016, Hussain went on a tear compiling a 3 fight win streak. Last September that streak was broken by former BAMMA fighter John Maguire and Hussain is now looking to use Jones as a springboard to launch his own rise in the BAMMA Welterweight division. Charlie Boy Howard (0-1) CBH brought his army to BAMMA 31, where he made his debut against the demolition man David Khalsa. A hard fought battle, CBH came up on the wrong side of a close split decision. Not one to take the easy option after a loss, he now faces a pro debutant who is highly regarded and has a lot of hype behind him. CBH will now find himself in the role of the potential spoiler as he brings his ever improving skills to the fight. Akonne ‘The Jedi’ Wanliss (Debut) Wanliss is a much heralded prospect that comes into the promotion after signing his first professional multi fight deal, with a lot of hype behind him. The self proclaimed Jedi cut through pretty much all of the opposition set before him. The only bump in the road was a KO loss to BAMMA fighter Cain Cowley at the IMMAF World Championships. With huge things expected of him, the SBG fighter will be looking to use his force to put on a spectacular victory against the hometown hero in the shape of Charlie Boy. BAMMA 34: Lohore Vs. Brazier Fight Card SSE Arena, Wembley, London Friday 9th March 2018. MAIN CARD Main Event – Welterweight WORLD TITLE Alex ‘Da Kid’ Lohore (c) Vs. Terry ‘The Dominator’ Brazier Co-Main Event – Middleweight WORLD TITLE Mike ‘Sea Bass’ Shipman (c) Vs. Johan ‘Air’ Romming PRELIMS Welterweight Bout ‘Mr. Bag & Tag’ Nathan Jones Vs. Shah ‘No Pain’ Hussain Welterweight Bout Jahreau ‘The Nightmare’ Shepherd Vs. James ‘Monkey Boy’ Reedman Lightweight Bout Charlie Boy Howard Vs. Akonne ‘The Jedi’ Wanliss More bouts to be confirmed BAMMA 34: Lohore Vs. Brazier takes place at the SSE Arena, Wembley, London on Friday 9th March. Tickets are on sale now from bamma.com

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