Matchroom Boxing Release: ANDRADE DESTROYS QUIGLEY IN STATEMENT KO WIN to send message to 160-lb. champions

Demetrius Andrade delivered the explosive KO win he promised as he destroyed Jason Quigley in just two rounds of the fifth defense of his WBO World Middleweight title at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, live worldwide on DAZN.

Andrade started with his customary fire, with a blistering attack at the end of the first round flooring a stunned Quigley – another challenger to hit the canvas at the start of an Andrade World title defense.

This time though, Andrade would not let the fight go deep, and two more knockdowns saw the referee save the Irishman from further punishment after 2.24 of round two – Andrade delivering the sort of thrilling display of power, spite and precision that he’s been told to do to land the big fights he craved.

“I did what I said I would do, I looked good and felt good,” said Andrade. “I delivered a message tonight – what’s next and who’s next.

“Every time I get in the ring, I do something different, and I can do it all, and whatever I need. Patience. So many times, you see people get knocked down and then they knock the other guy down. So, I keep patient in there and wait for the shots to land. But you asked for KOs, and I give you KOs so let’s go.

“I’m 31-0, Olympian and World champion, so what more do I need to do?”

A wild start to the long-awaited clash between WBC World Flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez and interim champion McWilliams Arroyo was sadly cut short after an accidental headclash left Arroyo with a nasty cut under the eyebrow of his right eye, and the referee was forced to call a No Contest.

Puerto Rican Arroyo started in stunning fashion, flooring Martinez early in the opening round, but the champion exacted immediate revenge and put Arroyo on the canvas at the end of the round. The Mexican put Arroyo down once again in the second round before the unfortunate clash of heads that ended a contest that was more than living up to its billing.

Murodjon Akhmadaliev retained his WBA and IBF World Super-Bantamweight titles with victory over game late-replacement Jose Velasquez. ‘MJ’, who was due to meet WBA mandatory challenger Ronny Rios, but Velasquez stepped in after Rios was ruled out with COVID and the Chilean showed he belonged on a big stage and will be seen again – but Akhmadaliev was also comfortable throughout and banked 12 more rounds in just his tenth pro outing and landed the win 119-109 on all three cards.

There will be an undisputed champion at 140lbs in 2022 – and it is Kali Reis who will face Chantelle Cameron for all the belts at Super-Lightweight as she edged out Jessica Camara via split decision. American Reis and Canadian served up royal entertainment for the fans in keeping with the recent run of high drama women’s world title fights, and Reis got the nod on the cards (97-93, 94-96, 97-93) and then faced-off with Briton Cameron in the ring afterwards to start the countdown to their battle next year.

“I thought I won the fight,” said Reis. “Jessica put up a brilliant fight, but I do feel I did the cleaner work. I’m so happy and I can’t wait to fight for the undisputed fight next year, that’s my dream.”

Demetrius Andrade delivered the explosive KO win he promised as he destroyed Jason Quigley in just two rounds of the fifth defense of his WBO World Middleweight title at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, live worldwide on DAZN.

Andrade started with his customary fire, with a blistering attack at the end of the first round flooring a stunned Quigley – another challenger to hit the canvas at the start of an Andrade World title defense.

This time though, Andrade would not let the fight go deep, and two more knockdowns saw the referee save the Irishman from further punishment after 2.24 of round two – Andrade delivering the sort of thrilling display of power, spite and precision that he’s been told to do to land the big fights he craved.

“I did what I said I would do, I looked good and felt good,” said Andrade. “I delivered a message tonight – what’s next and who’s next.

“Every time I get in the ring, I do something different, and I can do it all, and whatever I need. Patience. So many times, you see people get knocked down and then they knock the other guy down. So, I keep patient in there and wait for the shots to land. But you asked for KOs, and I give you KOs so let’s go.

“I’m 31-0, Olympian and World champion, so what more do I need to do?”

A wild start to the long-awaited clash between WBC World Flyweight champion Julio Cesar Martinez and interim champion McWilliams Arroyo was sadly cut short after an accidental headclash left Arroyo with a nasty cut under the eyebrow of his right eye, and the referee was forced to call a No Contest.

Puerto Rican Arroyo started in stunning fashion, flooring Martinez early in the opening round, but the champion exacted immediate revenge and put Arroyo on the canvas at the end of the round. The Mexican put Arroyo down once again in the second round before the unfortunate clash of heads that ended a contest that was more than living up to its billing.

Murodjon Akhmadaliev retained his WBA and IBF World Super-Bantamweight titles with victory over game late-replacement Jose Velasquez. ‘MJ’, who was due to meet WBA mandatory challenger Ronny Rios, but Velasquez stepped in after Rios was ruled out with COVID and the Chilean showed he belonged on a big stage and will be seen again – but Akhmadaliev was also comfortable throughout and banked 12 more rounds in just his tenth pro outing and landed the win 119-109 on all three cards.

Top Rank Boxing Release: Still the Welterweight King: Terence Crawford KOs Shawn Porter in 10

The pound-for-pound king notched his career-defining victory. Terence “Bud” Crawford knocked out “Showtime” Shawn Porter in the 10th round to retain his WBO welterweight world title in front of a sold-out crowd of 11,568 at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) made the fifth defense of the title he won in June 2018 and was presented with the stiffest test of his illustrious career. Porter (31-4-1, 17 KOs), who has fought every elite welterweight of this era, made things uncomfortable on the inside.

“(I figured him out in) Round 1,” Crawford said. “I figured that I had the reach and he had to take chances, and he did what he normally does. He tried to maul and push me back, but I used my angles and I pushed him back at times as well. Shawn Porter is a slick fighter. He was doing some things in there and made me think.

“I love him. Shawn Porter is a real good friend of mine. I didn’t really want to fight him. We always said we would fight each other when the time was right and I guess the time was right for this fight to happen. I tried to fight the other champions in the division, and that didn’t happen, so I went to the next best thing.”

Porter led 48-47 on all three scorecards after five rounds, but Crawford took control in the second half of the fight. After a dominant ninth round, Crawford scored a pair of knockdowns, and Porter’s trainer and father, Kenny Porter, stopped the fight.

My timing was off and he wouldn’t allow me to get my rhythm,” Porter said. “He’s the best out of everybody I have been in the ring with.”

At the post-fight press conference, Porter announced his retirement. Crawford’s future, meanwhile, remains to be seen. 

Falcao Edges Volny

Middleweights Esquiva Falcao (29-0, 20 KOs) and Patrice Volny (16-1, 10 KOs) were headed for a distance fight until a brutal headbutt opened a gash above Falcao’s left eye in the sixth round. The fight went to the scorecards, and Falcao prevailed by technical decision (58-56 Volny, 58-56 Falcao and 58-57 Falcao) in an IBF title eliminator.

Falcao, a 2012 Olympic silver medalist for Brazil, is now in line for the winner of December’s title unification fight between WBA champion Ryota Murata and IBF kingpin Gennadiy Golovkin.

Janibek Rolls Past N’Dam

Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly (11-0, 7 KOs) is a problem. The world-ranked middleweight from Kazakhstan steamrolled former two-time champion Hassan N’Dam (38-6, 21 KOs) by eighth-round stoppage to retain his WBO Global and WBC Continental Americas belts.

Alimkhanuly dropped N’Dam in the third round and continued marching forward. N’Dam gamely returned fire, but Alimkhanuly was not deterred. Whenever N’Dam landed a punch, Alimkhanuly shook his head and continued the assault. Late in the eighth round, a multi-punch combination froze N’Dam in the blue corner, prompting referee Kenny Bayless to end the carnage. 

Alimkhanuly said, “I am ready for a world title shot next. ‘Qazaq Style’ is about to take over the middleweight division. Any champion, it doesn’t matter.
 
“I must give credit to N’Dam, a tough former champion who took a lot of punishment.”

In other action:

Lightweight phenom Raymond “Danger” Muratalla (13-0, 11 KOs) became the first man to knock out out Elias Araujo (21-4, 8 KOs), finishing things off in the fifth round of a scheduled eight-rounder. Araujo was not seriously hurt at the time of the knockout, but referee Allen Huggins halted the fight due to an accumulation of punishment.

Former junior featherweight world champion Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe” (23-2, 15 KOs) kept his hopes of a featherweight title shot alive, edging two-time title challenger Christopher “Pitufo” Diaz (26-4, 16 KOs) by 10-round majority decision (95-95, 96-94 and 97-93). Dogboe has now won three straight fights since back-to-back defeats to Emanuel Navarrete. 

Adam “BluNose” Lopez (15-3, 6 KOs) was just getting started. After dominating the first two rounds against Adan Ochoa (12-2, 5 KOs), the fight was ruled a no-decision due to an accidental headbutt that opened a cut above Ochoa’s right eye. Ochoa sustained the damage in the opening round and was unable to continue.

Lopez said, “I landed some good shots and was busting him up. He was looking for a way out.
 
“This is so frustrating. I want to get back in the ring as soon as possible. I’m still ready to take on anybody in the featherweight division.”

Junior lightweight prospect “King” Karlos Balderas (11-1, 10 KOs) notched his second stoppage victory in a row, battering Ecuadorian veteran Julio Cortez (15-4, 11 KOs) en route to a fourth-round TKO. Cortez had never been knocked out as a pro entering the bout.

Recent U.S. Olympian Tiger Johnson had an eye-opening professional debut, stopping Antonius Grable (3-2-1, 3 KOs) in the fourth round of a welterweight bout. Johnson suffered the first cut of his career before knocking down Grable with a right hand in the fourth round. Referee Allen Huggins stopped the fight after a follow-up flurry pinned Grable against the ropes.

Johnson said, “I’m coming. The cut was not an issue for me, and I did my thing against a solid opponent in my professional debut. It was an honor to debut on a big pay-per-view card in Las Vegas, and I can’t wait for my second professional fight.”

Mikey Williams /Top Rank via Getty Images

UFC Fight Night: Tate vs. Vieira live on ESPN+ on Saturday

Former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate resumes her comeback tomorrow night, live from the UFC Apex in Ls Vegas. Tate (19-7) will face Ketlen Vieira (11-2) in the main event of a UFC Fight Night on ESPN+. The preliminary fights start at 3 PM/ET. The main card starts at 6 PM/ET.

The 35-year-old Tate returned following a five-year absence in July; knocking out Marion Reneau in round three.

For more information on Saturday’s event presented by Dana White, including a fight-by-fight breakdown, check out the following link:

https://www.ufc.com/news/fight-fight-preview-ufc-fight-night-viera-vs-tate

Zurdo Promotions Release: Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez says Dmity Bivol has nowhere to run

LAS VEGAS (November 17, 2021) – Frustrated by Dmitry Bivol’s silence, even after Team Zurdo and Golden Boy Promotions sent the World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight World Super Champion a legitimate contract offer, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez now has a clear path to his first World title shot in the light heavyweight division.

Ramirez (42-0, 28 KOs) has been matched against Yunieski “The Monster” Gonzalez (21-3, 17 KOs) on December 18 in San Antonio (TX) in the official WBA Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator to determine Bivol’s mandatory challenger.

“I’m excited to end the year with this eliminator bout,” Ramirez said. “This is the path I’ve been planning for and I’m very humbled and honored to be in this position. The WBA is a great organization and I appreciate Mr. Gilberto Mendoza for allowing me to be in this position.”

Bivol (18-0, 11 KOs) expressed his desire to fight Ramirez before and after the latter knocked out Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs) this past this past July. Suddenly, though, Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearns claimed that Bivol would instead fight John Ryder next month in the United Kingdom, and then target WBA and WBC Super Middleweight Champion “Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (56-1-2, 38 KOs), at either 168 or 175 pounds.

“I was surprised when Bivol turned down the fight we offered because it was something I thought he wanted. I know he’s a tough warrior and aspires to be the best, which is why I was surprised. He publicly called me out and sand that he was ‘ready.’ But unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case on his end. Again, in boxing, this seems like a common scenario where a fighter barks and barks, but he can’t back it up when it’s time to fight. With this fight (vs. Gonzalez) in place, Bivol has nowhere to run, and he will eventually have to face me.

“I’m not sure why Bivol thinks Canelo will face him in the near future. The probability of that happening within the next three fights is very, very low for him. Sadly, I think he’s just the cannon fodder for this scenario.”

The first Mexican to capture the World super middleweight title, “Zurdo” has waited too long to risk his first World title opportunity in the 175-pound division to look past the dangerous Gonzalez’ (21-3, 17 KOs). Ramirez and Gonzalez, respectively, are rated No. 3 and No. 4 by the WBA, and their 12-round main event will headline a Golden Boy-promoted card to be streamed live on DAZN.



Crawford vs. Porter: The WBO welterweight title clash on ESPN+ Pay-Per View is this Saturday!

This Saturday, Terence Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs) defends his WBO welterweight championship against Shawn Porter (31-3-1, 17 KOs), live from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. CRAWFORD vs. PORTER will be distributed live on ESPN+/Top Rank Boxing Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 PM/ET.

Limited tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting AXS.com.

This is another big fight that could have been made in the welterweight division. In recent years, we’ve watched Errol Spence vs. Danny Garcia, Spence vs. Porter, Porter v s. Keith Thurman, Manny Pacquiao vs. Thurman, Garcia vs. Robert Guerrero, Porter vs. Adrien Broner, Pacquiao vs. Broner, Yordenis Ugas vs. Manny Pacquiao, Porter vs. Ugas, Pacquiao vs. Thurman, and Garcia vs. Thurman, to name a few.  

Crawford, however, has been frozen out of the PBC rotation of top welterweights competing against one another. Crawford, an undefeated two-division titlist and former Undisputed World Jr. Welterweight Champion, has taken every opponent Top Rank has given him and simply beat them up. At 147, Crawford has defeated Amir Khan, Kell Brook, John Horn, and has four successful defenses at 147 since winning the title in 2018.

The chance to fight Porter, another two-division world champion, is a golden opportunity for Crawford to assert himself as an elite welterweight. Crawford, as skillful as he is, as tremendous a boxer he is, carries a lot of firepower and is easily outclassing opponents.

Porter cold be the toughest fight of his career. Everyone knows Shawn and what he is capable of: pressure, aggression, relentlessness, determination, speed, power, ring generalship, and experience.

Porter has fought Ugas, Brook, Garcia, Paulie Malignaggi, Devon Alexander, Andre Berto, and more. Porter has the skills and experience to win, but Crawford might just very well be better. Crawford might outclass Porter late in the fight. Porter has a non-stop, straight-forward style that may create ample opportunities for Crawford to shine bright come Saturday.

“I respect everything that Shawn does,” Crawford said. “Shawn is athletic, he can box, he can bang, he can move around in the ring, he can cut corners and take angles. I’m not going to sit here and say that I don’t respect anything that he does. I’m just going to say that I do a lot of things better than Shawn. I’m going to show him come Saturday.”

Porter appeared very calm and relaxed during fight week. He’s just biding his time opportunity to become welterweight champion once again.

“Terence, you know better than I do that you’ve matured,” Porter said. “I feel like people see your personality and your character right now more than they’ve ever seen, but I feel like I’m still correct in saying that when the wrong Tweet or Instagram post goes up, you can get upset.”

Porter continued: “There are people you can get to, and there are people that you can’t get to. I’m one of those people that you can’t get to, and I got a feeling that you can get to him quicker on the microphone than you can in the ring. In the ring, he is solid, but there may be something that is posted or said that might have an affect on him {during} the fight. “I’m relaxing, I’m drinking water and just biding my time. I am a Showtime fighter, and I can’t wait for Showtime on ESPN+ PPV. I’m a really even-keeled type of guy. I like things to be easy, and fight week is always easy for me.”

Before Crawford and Porter touch gloves, the full suite of fight week events will stream live on Top Rank’s YouTube, Twitter and Facebook pages, in addition to various ESPN platforms.

New episodes of Top Rank Real Time, a behind-the-scenes look at the fighters and their camps, will premier every evening on Top Rank’s YouTube channel.

 * PPV broadcast includes Crawford-Porter, a 12-round IBF middleweight title eliminator featuring unbeaten contenders Esquiva “La Pantera” Falcao and Patrice Volny, a 10-round middleweight tilt between rising star Janibek “Qazaq Style” Alimkhanuly and former world champion Hassan N’Dam, and an eight-round lightweight contest between Raymond “Danger” Muratalla and Elias “El Macho” Araujo.

Fans sign up to ESPN+ for just $6.99 a month (or $69.99 per year) at ESPN.com, ESPNplus.com or on the ESPN App (mobile and connected devices). It is also available as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu for $13.99/month (Hulu w/ads) or $19.99/month (Hulu w/o ads).

The celebration continues… King’s Promotions Release: The Queen of King’s; Alycia Baumgardner Knocks Out Terri Harper in 4 to win WBC and IBO Junior Lightweight Title

Alycia Baumgardner became the WBC/IBO Junior Lightweight world champion with a crushing fourth round stoppage over reigning and previously undefeated champion Terri Harper at The Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England.

Baumgardner, who came in as a big underdog at more than 7 to 1, hurt Harper in round two with some hard right hands.

In round four, Baumgardner landed a big right hand that stunned and froze Harper. Harper was basically motionless on her feet. Baumgardner jumped in and landed one more powerful left hook just as referee Mark Lyson was stopping the fight just 23 seconds into the round.

Baumgardner, of Bingham Farms, Michigan via Fremont, Ohio, who is promoted by King’s Promotions, becomes a world champion with a record of 11-1 with seven knockouts.

“The ones that overlooked me, fueled me. People got to see a tad of who Alycia is. Since everyone was booing me, I embraced it and it pumped me up even more. When I landed the punch, I felt all my power hit her right on the chin. When I saw her hurt, I knew just to finish her right now. I thought immediately that I did it, and I am a world champion. I want to unify the division, and I am going to be the undisputed champion,” said Baumgardner.

“I am so proud of Alycia. She showed what a true champion is all about. She came into enemy territory, and came in here and knocked the champion out. Alycia is a special fighter and to win the championship in the fashion that she did was just awesome to witness. There are many major opportunities ahead for her, and when the time is right, we will sit down with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing and look at those options. She deserves time to celebrate this amazing accomplishment,” said Marshall Kauffman, CEO of King’s Promotions.
“Alycia did what I always believed she would do when we signed her three years ago. I knew Alycia would win a world title and it came to fruition. All she needed was one opportunity, and look what happened. I feel that in a very short time, Alycia will be one of, if not the face of women’s boxing,” said Andrew Foy of King’s Promotions.

Pictures By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

And New…. Alycia Baumgardner KOs Terri Harper, wins WBC/IBO 130-lb. championships

The newly crowned WBC/IBO super-featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner speaks

Throughout this entire fight week, Michigan native Alycia Baumgardner promised that she’d become the new world super-featherweight champion on Saturday.

She told everyone that she’s just as good as the other females in Women’s Boxing, but was never granted an opportunity to showcase her skills on a large platform.

Well, Matchroom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn put Baumgardner in position as world title challenger as the co-featured attraction on a world stage in front of a packed Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England to face WBC/IBO super-featherweight titlist Terri Harper in her home country.

England is a long way from the Super Bad Academy in Detroit, but for Baumgardner, alongside head trainer LJ Harrison and his brother Tony Harrison, the former IBF 154-lb. champion, it was all business.

Baumgardner (11-1, 7 KOs), entering into the arena to Drake’s Way 2 Sexy,’ proved too much for the champion, as the 27-year-old American captured the WBC/IBO world titles by stopping Harper (11-1-1, 6 KOs) at 23 seconds of the fourth-round.

In Women’s Boxing, each round on the championship level are scheduled for 10 x 2-minutes each. Baumgardner was all over Harper from the opening bell. You saw head-movement, some shoulder feints, and fancy footwork to set-up her left jab and right-hands that fond their mark on Harper’s face.   

After boxing circles around Harper for three rounds, Baumgardner landed a right-hand that dazed Harper so badly, she was literally out on her feet. The referee stopped the fight, and just like that, Baumgardner is the new WBC/IBO champion.

Dramatic fights like the one witnessed today will draw greater attention to Women’s Boxing. Yes, Claressa Shields, Katie Taylor, and Amanda Serrano are the best Women’s Boxing has to offer and they dominate every time. Baumgardner’s title victory today will not only draw greater attention to Women’s Boxing, but her victory will also build greater interest in the 130 lb. class.

Makayla Mayer just recently unified the IBF/WBO and RING Magazine 130-lb. titles. A Hyun Mi Choi is an undefeated WBA 130-lb. champion of more than eight years. With Baumgardner as the new champion at super-featherweight, the dynamic of the 130-lb. class has changed for the better.

Alycia Baumgardner: “I’m ready to showcase what women’s boxing has been doing.”

We just saw Canelo become the first Undisputed World Super-Middleweight Champion in Las Vegas. We also witnessed an incredible UFC 268 MMA card from Madison Square Garden in New York. Cris Cyborg returns to BELLATOR MMA in defense of her Women’s Featherweight World Championship this Friday in Miami.

In addition, this Saturday, Women’s Boxing will take center stage once again, as super-featherweight contender Alycia Baungardner (10-1, 6 KOs), challenges WBC/IBO 130-lb. champion Terri Harper (11-0-1, 6 KOs) of Britain in her hometown at the Sheffield Arena in Sheffield, England.  

Harper vs. Baumgardner is the co-featured attraction to the main event: Kid Galahad (28-1, 17 KOs) defends his IBF featherweight title against Kiko Martinez (42-10-2, 29 KOs). The event will be streamed live on DAZN in the U.S. The main card starts at 2 PM/ET and the preliminary fights start as early as 12 Noon/ET.

This entire week, Baumgardner has been fulfilling press obligations with the British media, telling her story, sharing her experiences and her journey through boxing as a fighter.

The consensus, general belief is that Baumgardner is more than a tough opponent. Her aura is different. Her body language is different. Her skillset, mentally, and mettle is different from any other opponent that Harper has fought.

Of course anything can happen inside a boxing ring, but there is a growing sense that Baumgardner may actually become the new WBC/IBO 130-lb. champion come Saturday.

“It is a very dangerous fight for Terri,” Baumgardner said. “I pose a big threat, again just the experience I have with over 100 amateur fights and many former World Champion’s training camps. I’ve been prepared for these moments, just to go out there Saturday night to really do what I do best and get the win – I will become a two-time World Champion come Saturday night.”

The chance to win a world championship has been a career-long dream Baumgardner has shared with her trainer Ali Salaam, the father of former IBF jr. middleweight champion Tony Harrison. Salaam died last year in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

There is a mural of the famed trainer painted inside the Super Bad Academy (https://www.superbadacademy.com/) in Detroit, MI. Now trained by Salaam’s other son LJ Harrison, there isn’t day that goes by where Salaam’s mural isn’t studied for a moment. With Harrison as the new lead voice, Baumgardner remains prepared, as she’s ever been.

Baumgardner is looking to stamp her signature as one of the most recognizable names in all of Women’s Boxing with a triumphant performance on Saturday.

“My confidence is at an all-time high, I’ve been preparing for this moment for a very long time in my career and being in boxing for twenty years – this moment everybody dreams of. Here I am, well prepared and ready to give a great fight Saturday night. I’m ready to showcase what women’s boxing has been doing and give a different look on what a lot of boxing fans haven’t seen from me and from a women’s boxing perspective.”

 Baumgardner is planning to use her boxing skills to ‘punish’ Harper on Saturday.

“Like I said, my confidence is at 100,” Baumgardner added, “there’s levels to this game and I believe I’ve been on that level, but I haven’t been given the opportunity to showcase that. Now on Saturday I’ll be able to show the many levels of boxing of what I have to offer to the sport and what I have to show Terri Harper Saturday night. She hasn’t been in the ring with somebody like me, I’m definitely going to show her and punish her every round.”

In 2020, Harper was successful in three consecutive WBC world title fights. However, she broke her hand in her last fight against Katherina Thanderz one year ago; reinjuring her hand again thereafter. Harper required surgery and appears ready to defend her title again on Saturday, but is she overlooking Baumgardner?  

I know what I’ve got ahead of me on Saturday night,” Harper said. “I’m not overlooking Alycia, but this is a steppingstone in my journey and career. I want to go on and push on to have a big 2022 and hopefully get a unification against Choi, push on for an Undisputed against Mayer.”

Photo credit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing

Offer Accepted! Alycia Baumgardner to challenge Terri Harper for unified WBC/IBO 130-lb. titles on Nov. 13

Alycia Baumgardner returns to boxing stronger than ever after losing famed trainer to COVID-19

Ramon Cardenas, Alycia Baumgardner headline an ‘Undisputed’ night of Boxing action

BELLATOR 271: CYBORG vs. Kavanagh this Friday!

Women’s World Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg Media Day/BELLATOR MMA

Sinead Kavanagh Media Day/BELLATOR MMA

BELLATOR MMA returns on Friday night with another sensational fight card, live from the Seminole Hard Roc Café in Hollywood, FL. The main event will feature the third title defense of Women’s World Featherweight Champion, Brazil’s Cris Cyborg (24-2, 1 NC) vs. Sinead Kavanagh (7-4) of Ireland.

Plus, the co-featured attraction will match BELLATOR MMA #5-heavyweight contender Tyrell Fortune (11-1) vs. #6. Linton Vassell (21-8).

In total, the main card, which will feature five fights, will broadcast live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10 PM/ET and 7 PM/PT. There will also be seven preliminary fights that will stream live on BELLATOR MMA’s YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at 7 PM/ET and 4 PM/PT.

Since capturing the BELLATOR MMA Women’s 145-lb. title, Cyborg has maintained a perfect 3-0 record since having departed from the UFC on bitter terms with Dana White. Since signing with Scott Coker at BELLATOR MMA, Cyborg, at age 36, is as dominant as ever. Cyborg defeated longtime champion Julia Budd to capture the title in her very first fight under the BELLATOR MMA banner; followed by masterclass performances against Arlene Blencowe, and Leslie Smith.

Cyborg doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon, as she’s constantly reinventing herself, performing at such a much higher level than most other women in MMA.

As Cyborg continues to outclass opponents, Coker’s job of finding new competition has become even more challenging. Regardless to the fact Kavanagh is next, the real issue is if there is anyone that can compete with Cyborg on her level?

Cyborg remains respectful of her challenger and is really excited to show-off the work she has done with Coach Antonio McKee.

“I respect Sinead,” Cyborg said. “I respect her as a fighter and I’m very excited to fight her on Friday. I’m really excited to showcase the work I did with Antonio McKee, I worked on my wrestling there. I’m very happy and excited to show this.”

Antonio McKee, a veteran of having had 30 professional victories in MMA, is the father of unbeaten BELLATOR MMA World Featherweight Champion, A.J. McKee. In July, McKee defeated longtime champion ‘Pitbull’ Patricio Freire, via first-round submission, to claim the featherweight championship in the finale of the BELLATOR MMA Featherweight World Grand Prix.

McKee also walked away with the $1 million-dollar grand prize.

While performing at maximum performance in preparation with her team, it’s simply business as usual for Cyborg. It’s just another fight for Cyborg, but for her opponent Kavanagh this is a chance of a lifetime she’s been waiting for so long.

“I was next in line (for this fight) and she was calling out other people,” Kavanagh said. “When I got the call, I was emotional because it’s well overdue. I should be here. It was a rollercoaster for me. It’s finally happened, it’s finally here and I’m ready to get going.”

Kavanagh took the opportunity to take shots at Cyborg, accusing her of playing ‘mind games’ at the fighters’ hotel during fight week.

“(Cyborg) is over here playing mind games.” Kavanagh stated. “You won’t even believe what they’re up to. They’re tagging me in that suplex (video). She has these ‘Squid Game’ cards with her face on them and she’s leaving them everywhere I go. She’s leaving them everywhere I go. She’s leaving them in my corner, leaving them on my floor. She’s trying to play her mind games. She’s trying to break me, but she can’t.”

Kavanagh added: “I can’t wait to hit her.”

BELLATOR 271: Tyrell Fortune, Linton Vassell both want a title fight. They’ll fight each other Friday!

Justin Fortune’s Media Day video/BELLATOR MMA

Linton Vassell Media Day/BELLATOR MMA

BELLATOR MMA #5-heavyweight contender Tyrell Fortune (11-1) returns to fight #6. Linton Vassell (21-8) in the co-featured slot at BELLATOR 271 this Friday; live from the Seminole Hard Rock Café in Hollywood, FL.

The main event: BELLATOR MMA Women’s World Featherweight Champion, Brazil’s Cris Cyborg (24-2, 1 NC) defends her title against Sinead Kavanagh (7-4) of Ireland.

In total, the main card, which will feature five fights, will broadcast live on SHOWTIME beginning at 10 PM/ET and 7 PM/PT. There will also be seven preliminary fights that will stream live on BELLATOR MMA’s YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at 7 PM/ET and 4 PM/PT.

Fortune is riding a four-fight unbeaten streak. This fight will be his third fight of 2021; knocking out both Jack Kay and Matt Mitrione in the first-round. Fortune is riding high, as he has become one of BELLATOR MMA’s most exciting fighters to watch. Fortune can punch, wrestle, and is relentless.

Always looking forward to the next fight, Fortune prepares well and always has some type of knowledge of his opponent.

“I think [Linton Vassell] he’s a veteran of the sport,” Fortune said. “He’s been around for a long time. 30 or more fights under his belt. He’s a kickboxer from Britain and he’s a tough guy in general so I know what he has to offer and I know what he brings to the table. If he tries to wrestle me, we all know how that’s going to go.”

Vassell has fought some of the best fighters in BELLATOR MMA since 2013. Winner of his previous two fights in two years, Vassell returns with the hope of one days soon fighting for the heavyweight title.

“I am coming off two big wins,” Vassell said, “so this was obviously the next fight to make. After those two wins, I was destined for a number one contender fight, which is what I think this is because Tyrell is highly ranked, just like me.  I want to be champ, so why not now?”

Vassell strongly believes that he will defeat Fortune, via KO or submission on Friday.

“Obviously, the fight will end with me winning in a TKO or a submission,” Vassell added. “I predict that he will break in the second round, especially if I come in at my best, which I have, and don’t rush. I will be patient, fight my fight and end this fight within the distance.”

Vassell also made reference to that three-fight losing streak he had (2017-19); losing to current  BELLATOR MMA Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader, Phil Davis, and Valentin Moldvasky. Vassell contemplated retirement, but is now on the cusp of pursuing something great should he win on Friday.

“I am not going to lie, that three-fight losing streak was terrible,” Vassell said. “I even contemplated retirement. I was able to refocus on my weight so I could train properly and not gas out. After preparing and speaking with my coaches, the proof has been in the pudding. I am on a tear right now and approaching an eventual title shot.”

That’s why makes this fight between Fortune and Vassell so intriguing. Both fighters have lost, but are riding unbeaten streaks.

Both are in the BELLATOR MMA heavyweight Top-8.

Both are optimistic that a win on Friday will strengthen their momentum toward a BELLATOR MMA World Heavyweight Championship opportunity, regardless. Maybe the winner gets to fight the legendary Fedor next in ’22.

“We’ll have to wait and see what happens at the beginning of next year,” Fortune added. “We’ll have to see if Bader comes back to defend his title and that will pretty much tell us a lot about where we go and who I should be fighting next. As far as Fedor, he only has one more fight left on his contract, so what do I care who he fights next.”