February 28, 2022

    Cage Warriors 133 Preview

    Peter Knox 28/02/2022

    Cage Warriors kicks off its 2022 calendar with an action packed CW 133 card at Del Mar Arena in San Diego County, California. CW 133 will not only be the first Cage Warriors event of the year, but the first in a four part San Diego series, which will see a further three Cage Warriors events head to the area through 2022. On the first event of 2022, Cage Warriors president, Graham Boylan, said: “I’m so excited that the first fight week of the year is here. “This year we are starting off with a bang with CW 133 this week, then we have CW 134 in March and our Manchester double header in April. “We have stacked this card with some fantastic fights for the fans, so it should be a taste of what we have to come for the year!” Kyle Driscoll and Joshua Jones will main event CW 133 in a lightweight contest. Team AKA member, Driscoll, is currently riding a seven fight win streak and competed on Dana White’s Contender Series in his last outing. Meanwhile, Jones comes into this bout with three wins in his last four bouts, and has shown he is a proven finisher, with nine stoppages in 11 victories. Driscoll has previously trained with former Cage Warriors champion, Jack Shore, and now trains at AKA, a gym that has produced several notable UFC champions, including Daniel “DC” Cormier and Cain Velasquez. When asked about his upcoming Cage Warriors debut, Driscoll let Cage Warriors know that he had been training with UFC lightweight contender, Islam Makhachev, under the watchful eye of former UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Driscoll also told Cage Warriors: “I know a win here propels me to the UFC. “My opponent is a tough guy but everyone at this point of my career is a tough fight. “He (Jones) likes to throw bombs and wrestle but I will show up like a calculated killer and pick him apart!” Jones has shifted his training to CMMA for this fight and believes the fact that Driscoll isn’t prepared for his toughness: “I think Driscoll will be surprised when he feels my strength. “When you are in there with me, I can finish you anywhere, on the feet, on the ground, submission, ground and pound. “I’ve got a ton of ways to finish opponents!” Wilson Reis makes his return to Cage Warriors after almost a decade away from the promotion. In his time away from Cage Warriors, Reis would have a 13 fight run with the UFC where he would challenge for the flyweight title. Jeremiah Labiano, a well-travelled veteran in his own right, makes his Cage Warriors debut against Reis in a featherweight contest. Labiano has competed in the United States, the UK and Israel, racking up 13 wins with eight stoppages. Team Alpha Male’s Joseph “Bopo” Morales, also returns to Cage Warriors at CW 133. The UFC veteran secured a win in his last outing at CW 126, where he dropped Kevin Wirth with an overhand right on his way to a judge’s decision. Justin Barry and Damon Wilson will also be in action at CW 133 after both men were nominated for KO of the Year in Cage Warriors’ 2021 ‘End of Year’ awards. Wilson, who also received a nomination for Breakthrough Fighter of the Year, takes on Ryan Fillingame in a featherweight contest while Barry takes on Ke’ali’i Kanekoa in a middleweight bout. Unfortunately, Max Rohskopf has had to withdraw from CW 133 due to injury. All the action of CW 133 kicks off live on UFC Fight Pass from 5:30pm PT with the main card commencing at 7pm PT. Doors open at 5:00pm PT. Main Card (7:00pm PT) Joshua Jones vs Kyle Driscoll – lightweight bout Jeremiah Labiano vs Wilson Reis – featherweight bout Ryan Fillingame vs Damon Wilson – featherweight bout Joseph Morales vs Sidemar Honorio – flyweight bout Jose Mariscal vs Luke Faultersack – featherweight bout Prelims (5:30pm PT) Ke’ali’i Kanekoa vs Justin Barry – middleweight bout Ethyn Ewing vs Robert Hernandez – featherweight bout Eimar Hernandez vs Enrique Marte – flyweight bout Soslan Margiev vs Blake Cooper – welterweight bout UFC FightPass Exclusives (9:15pm PT) Josh Nakagawa vs Devin Goodale – welterweight bout Albert Lee vs Jamey Lynch – welterweight bout Chuck Campbell vs Elijah Harris – light heavyweight bout

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    World Kickboxing Network condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine

    Peter Knox 28/02/2022

    The World Kickboxing Network (the WKN) condemns Russian invasion of Ukraine. For over 25 years World Kickboxing Network has sanctioned prestigious WKN World and European title bouts across the Planet, including Ukraine and Russia. As well, dozens of top Ukrainian and Russian kickboxers, boxers and MMA fighters have participated in WKN championship events across the World. As a major sports organization that has always promoted loyalty and respect, the WKN stands with the World in its call for the immediate cease of fire. Until then – no WKN title bouts will be held in Russia. The country’s flag and anthem will not be used at any event held abroad.

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    Interview with Great Britain Top Teams’s Manuela Marconetto

    Aaron East 28/02/2022

    Manuela “The Butcher’s Daughter” Marconetto 1-1-0 is an Italian Professional Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Strawweight Division. A professional competitor since 2017. She has competed for Fightstar Championship, Cage Warriors, Cage Warriors South East, The Golden Cage and Pallas Athena Women’s Fighting Championship.   I appreciate you taking the time to speak to me today Manuela, I’d also like to congratulate you on your 1st victory as a professional competitor with your outstanding unanimous decision victory back in January at Pallas Athena Women’s Fighting Championship.   I hope training has been going well, it must be a great feeling to be between fight camps and be able to get some much-needed relaxation?   “As I’m part of one of the best teams and have such great pioneers in MMA as coaches, my training always is and always will be on point. At the moment I’m in Italy with my family, as well deserved rest is the key to being able to maintain such high intensity of training.”   Without giving too much away what steps have you been taking to make sure your next professional MMA bout replicates your performance in Calgary, Canada?   “From Monday I will be back to training properly and I’m planning to train 2/3 times per day. This time I would be luckier in terms of training as we don’t only have amazing sparring partners but we also have an amazing facility with plenty of classes to get better and better. I will have the chance to work more and more to be a better fighter and improve my performance.”   As previously stated, you came out victorious on your second step on the professional circuit when taking on Arashi Do Martial Arts Stephanie Essensa at the Grey Eagle Events Centre in Canada. Now the proverbial dust has settled and you’ve had time to reflect on your phenomenal performance. What did you take from that bout in Calgary?   “It was such a great experience and a little step towards my dreams since when I started MMA I always dreamed of being able to fight around the world. I learnt a lot from that victory and training camp. I understood much more about my body in terms of dieting and I learned how to manage stress during a fight. I also started to understand much more what kind of fighter I’m and which I will be.”   Your amateur career over here in England is also a talking point. Mesmerising the fans at Charter Hall for CWSE26 and becoming the CWSE Flyweight champion when defeating Camilla Bergstrøm. A perfect compliment for yourself as well as your GBTT teammates. Are you eager to be reunited with your teammates and potentially show what you can do on the professional circuit?   “I’m very proud of what I have done so far, I can’t wait to show and prove to myself what I can reach in my professional career and make my coaches and sparring partners proud of me.”   So many GBTT warriors are set to go to war in the coming months across the UK MMA Circuit. Are there any teammate match-ups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing?   “Every teammate always gives me some emotions and I always learn something when they fight but I definitely can’t wait to see Claire Lopez, Dominique Wooding, Lone’er Kavanagh, Nik Bagley and Nathaniel Wood in action. I love their style and they are great fighters.”   With so much talent around the world, and so many potential match-ups that could come your way in 2022. Is there anybody, in particular, you’d like to go face to face in your next war in the cage?   “Yes, I have some names on my list I want to fight. One name on the top of my list is the current strawweight champion in Pallas Athena, Laura Fountura, I’m very much looking forward to being matched up with her. Then I have a few Italian names as well.”   The women of MMA have had quite the recent years in Mixed martial arts. Captivating the crowd and showing the world they can be just as Ruthless and entertaining as their male counterparts. When entertaining the well-organised world of Mixed martial arts, was there a fighter you looked up to as a role model along your journey?   “My role models are Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, Weili Zhang and Holly Holm.”   I look forward to your return to the cage Manuela, it has been a pleasure speaking with you today.   Last but not least do you have a message for your ever-growing fan base and anybody you’d like to give a shout-out to?   “Enjoy my journey and my progress.”  

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    Interview with Ethan Ridler ahead of FCC 28

    Aaron East 28/02/2022

    Ethan Ridler 1-3-0 is a Welsh amateur Mixed Martial Artist currently competing in the Flyweight Division. An amateur competitor since 2019. He has competed for UKFC, Celtic Gladiator And Full Contact Contender.   I’d like to start this off by thanking you for taking the time to speak to me today Ethan and also to congratulate you on your upcoming return to the cage at FCC 28.   I hope training camp has gone well in the build-up to your highly anticipated return to the cage?   “Thanks Aaron. Training has gone really well. Feel as though I’ve put a large amount of time focusing on the areas that I wanted to improve and see myself as a much more well-rounded fighter than I already was going into this bout.”   The last we saw you in action was back in 2021 at Almighty Fighting Championship 19. Taking on Dan Farrell, Despite a valiant effort throughout each and every round, the night was not yours. What did you take from that bout back in September?   “The fight with Danny taught me a lot of things. My style has changed a lot in the 6 months since this fight, and I’m eager to show the world how much I’ve improved next week. Dan has since been someone I’ve trained with down at Aspire and I’m looking forward to seeing how he progresses. The big thing I took from the fight was to always be myself, as when I do I know I can defeat anyone in this division.”   Your inclusion on March 5th will see you take on  Connor Walsh for the FCC amateur Flyweight Title. What do you make of your opponent for FCC’s 28th card to date?   “Connor has captivated many of the UK MMA community and certainly has an exciting future ahead of him. He’s been dominant in pretty much every round of every fight he’s had thus far. Fights like this give me an extra kick up the arse, to push myself beyond any limitation. He’s someone I have massive respect for and look forward to sharing the cage with.”   Without giving too much away what steps have you been taking to make sure you walk out on the night with your arm raised in Bolton?   “As I mentioned before, always being myself and improving areas in my game I feel I wanted to hone. On the 5th of March, and beyond, an on-form and focused Ethan Ridler causes massive problems for anyone in this division.”   Pure unadulterated organised violence is set to take place at the Bolton Arena when FCC returns to what’s bound to be a full house. Other than your inclusion on the night are there any matchups in particular that you’re looking forward to witnessing?   “The inclusion of my training partner Lee Quinn is something that gets the juices flowing. A hard-hitting and exciting fighter, who’s helped me tweak a few things in my game over the past couple of months. If you don’t know who he is, you will once the event has seen its end.”   Your support to your teammates at the gym and in their corner has not gone unnoticed. Most recently at Almighty Fighting Championship 23. Cornering Ayoub Dahech in his phenomenal performance and W on the night. Many fighters have the opportunity to train, coach and corner throughout their careers. What does it mean to you to be able to be there for your teammates along their fighting paths?   “Ayoub Dahech is someone I’ve known since before making my debut. From meeting him around 4 years ago at Mike Egan’s Immortals, to now under Azi Thomas, he’s been a great friend. He’s extremely underrated, and I think this highlight performance on almighty has given him some deserved notoriety. In this game, and life we help each other to progress. Hermetics. As above, so below. Help your peers, they will help you, and I certainly feel a lot of support from everyone I train with right now. This sport is truly amazing.”   Last but not least do you have a message for the fans that will be in attendance and anybody you’d like to give a shout-out to?   “I’d just like to say a massive thank you to everyone back home in Llandudno. My family, specifically my mum, her sisters and my grandmother who have always been my rock. My friends that are coming to support me in Bolton and those who can’t make it, who send messages of support. My training partners and coaches at Hamma and aspire respectively.”   Buy Tickets For FCC 28 Here  

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    Across The Pond Profile: Ares Fighting Championship fighter Ivana Siric

    Myles Painter 28/02/2022

    The legalization of mixed martial arts in France will let the tri-colour shine through in a myriad of light. In today’s episode of Across The Pond, you will be introduced to a Norse Valkyrie making the competition go timber with tornadic effect, A professional mixed martial artist since July 2021 and representing Valhall Gym, Ivana Siric holds an undefeated 3-0 record, with all three of her victories as a pro-MMA fighter coming via TKO. Siric has fought for numerous promotions over the course of her career in the professional MMA ranks, including Battle Arena and Fight Club Rush in addition to Ares Fighting Championship. She is currently 1-0 under the banner of Ares Fighting Championship, with one finish under her belt for the promotion. Siric has yet to reach the scorecards at any point during her pro career thus far. All three of her wins during her tenure as a professional mixed martial artist have come inside the distance, with two first-round finishes under her belt to go along with a single second-round finish. In her MMA debut at Battle Arena 62, she faced Joanne Doyle and went on to defeat her via TKO in the second round. Siric knocked out Alline Torquato in round one at Fight Club Rush 10. Then in her promotional debut with Ares Fighting Championship at Ares FC 3, she defeated Dorota Norek via TKO in the first round. The victory earned Siric the third knockout win of her professional career. She also picked up win number one under the banner of Ares FC in the process. At 3-0 with a 100 percent finish rate, Siric is one Viking that goes on the warpath when the horn of battle trumpets out the call to arms! Ivana’s first-round TKO victory over Dorota Norek in her promotional debut with Ares Fighting Championship at Ares FC 3      

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