Brown (1-1) is set to face Jasmine “Tapout Queen” Pouncy (1-1) as part of the upcoming LFA card on July 29, 2022. Cageside Press confirmed the booking with multiple sources familiar with the situation.

The fight is expected to take place in the strawweight division.

Thus far, Brown has split a pair of fights under the LFA banner, winning her debut with a third-round submission before dropping her second fight at LFA 118 in November.

Through her relatively short pro career, Brown has turned heads by frequently appearing alongside friend and former UFC fighter Kay Hansen on social media. Brown has also trained with the UFC star. She was twice booked to fight Rachel Martinez earlier this year, only for the fight to fall through in both April and May.

Pouncy, whose 1-1 record is identical to Brown’s, has recently been training with Matt “The Immortal” Brown in Ohio. She made her LFA debut in her last fight, coming up short against Giovanna Canuto.

Prior to turning pro last year, Jasmine Pouncy had a lengthy amateur career, dating back to 2014.

No venue or location has been announced for LFA’s July 29, 2022 event.

The post Alandria Brown to Face Jasmine Pouncy at LFA’s July 29 Event appeared first on Cageside Press.

27-year old Alandria Brown (1-1), who has spent her entire professional career with LFA, will meet new comer Rachel Martinez (5-1 AM) at LFA’s April 8, 2022 event. Brown is a training partner of Kay Hansen, one of the youngest fighters on the UFC roster. The fight is expected to take place in the strawweight division.

Brown exploded onto the scene with a thrilling finish victory at LFA 107 in her professional debut. The California native then tasted defeat for the first time against 2-0 Sidney Trillo. Brown trains at CSW (Combat Submission Wrestling) alongside boyfriend Jacob Rosales, an LFA, Bellator and Contender Series veteran. Brown is hungry to bounce back from her first professional loss and to welcome Martinez to the professional ranks.

Martinez, a winner of five of her six amateur fights, looks to impress in her professional debut for LFA. Just like Brown before her, she is jumping right into the mix by debuting with one of the larger “regional” promotions worldwide in LFA. Martinez’s only loss came in her first amateur bout; since that time she has had her hand raised in five straight contests, including three first round finishes.

Alandria Brown vs. Rachel Martinez will take place on Friday, April 8, 2022 in South Dakota at a yet-to-be announced LFA event. The promotion has historically hosted events in the state at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, SD.

The post LFA’s April 8 Event Adds Prospect Battle Between Alandria Brown and Rachel Martinez appeared first on Cageside Press.

Sources confirmed to Cageside Press on Wednesday that Vinicius De Jesus (9-4) will face Levan Chokheli (9-1, 1NC) at the event, which will see the promotion return to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

Setanta Sport’s Giorgi Kokiashvili was first to report the news.

Georgia’s Chokheli made his promotional debut at Bellator 260 earlier this year, suffering the first loss of his career against Kyle Crutchmer. Starting his pro career in 2016, Chokheli ran up an impressive win streak on the regional circuit, and is the latest in a wave of Georgian fighters to storm the major promotions.

De Jesus will be stepping into the cage for the first time this year, having competed in grappling of late. In 2020, he lost back-to-back fights under the Bellator and LFA banners, and will look to halt that losing streak against Chokheli. Overall, the Brazilian is 3-2 under the Bellator banner, and is also a former CES MMA welterweight champion.

Bellator 272 takes place December 3, 2021 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The card is set to be headlined by a bantamweight title fight between champ Sergio Pettis, and former champ Kyoji Horiguchi.

The full card as reported to date is as follows:

Sergio Pettis (c) vs. Kyoji Horiguchi
Josh Hill vs. Jared Scoggins
Keoni Diggs vs. John de Jesus
Jornel Lugo vs. Tommy Espinosa
Alexandr Shabliy vs. Myles Jury
Oliver Enkamp vs. Kyle Crutchmer
Levan Chokheli vs. Vinicius de Jesus

The post Bellator 272 Adds Vinicius De Jesus vs. Levan Chokheli appeared first on Cageside Press.

Antonio Carlos JR. is set to battle Emiliano Sordi this upcoming Thursday at PFL 2021 #9 (PFL Playoffs 3). Carlos Jr. is coming off of a no contest due to a groin strike, but a submission win in his first fight of the season clinched him a spot in the semifinals.

“I always loved the PFL season,” Carlos Jr. stated in a recent interview with Cageside Press. “It is a fresh start each year. I’m feeling great after the win against Tom Lawler, last fight I think I was on way to a victory it is disappointing. I’m looking forward to fighting again.”

Carlos Jr. had joined the UFC at only 3-0, following season 3 of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. He went 7-5 with the promotion before parting ways and joining the PFL for the 2021 season, after the 2020 season was cut short. Carlos Jr. believes there are glaring differences between UFC and PFL.

“Before the three losses, I was on a five fight winning streak,” Carlos Jr. began. “Had a lot of injuries, they [UFC] didn’t help me at all. They didn’t give me any leeway or ability to move up in weight to perform to my ability. I learned a lot there, lot of top fighters. I won a lot, I wouldn’t change it. I wasn’t happy, the UFC changed a lot after it was sold, all about trash talking now. PFL you just win and move on to the next step to win the belt.”

In an already extensive career, adding not only a PFL belt, but a million dollar check to the resume would mean the world for Carlos Jr. From the UFC parting, the injuries and then COVID-19 stopping the 2020 season, this belt represents a lot more than gold.

“Having this fresh start with PFL means a lot,” Carlos Jr. told cageside press. “Winning this belt would mean everything, it would make everything that much better. I love competing for PFL and to be at the top was always the goal. I feel compensated here, and adding a million dollars with a belt would be special.”

Carlos Jr. did speak about his upcoming opponent, and what he is preparing for come PFL 9 this week.

“He is tough, very tough,” Carlos Jr. “He’s a champion, it won’t be an easy fight. In his last two fights I saw a lot of mistakes, he can’t do that against me.”

PFL Playoffs 3 takes place this Friday, August 27 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL. For more from Antonio Carlos Jr. you can check out his media day appearance below, separate from this interview.

The post PFL Playoffs 3: Antonio Carlos Jr. Sees “A Lot of Mistakes” in Sordi’s Game appeared first on Cageside Press.

The Phoenix, Arizona card, set for October 16, 2021, at the Footprint Center will see LFA lightweight champ Nick Browne (11-1) make his promotional debut, opposite the returning Bobby Lee (12-6). Promotion officials confirmed the booking to Cageside Press on Friday.

For Browne, the fight will mark his first since capturing the LFA title back in January. Currently on a four-fight win streak, “NyQuil” has bee flirting with the major promotions for a while now. He previously competed with the WSOF, a precursor to the Professional Fighters League.

The 31-year old has seven finishes among his eleven wins.

For Lee, Bellator 268 represents the chance to snap a two-fight skid. In his promotional debut, at welterweight, Lee fell to Joey Davis at Bellator 253 last year. This past June, he lost another decision, this time to Soren Bak in a lightweight bout.

Lee vs. Browne will be contested at 155lbs.

Bellator 268 is expected to be headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between champ Vadim Nemkov and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. That fight will be joined by a second 205lb showdown featuring ex-champ Ryan Bader against Corey Anderson. Both bouts are semifinals in Bellator’s light heavyweight grand prix.

The following bouts have been reported for the Bellator 268 card thus far:

Vadim Nemkov (c) vs. Anthony Johnson – for the Bellator light heavyweight championship/Bellator light heavyweight grand prix semifinal
Ryan Bader vs. Corey Anderson – Bellator light heavyweight grand prix semifinal
Henry Corrales vs. Vladyslav Parubchenko
Érik Pérez vs. Brett Johns
Sullivan Cauley vs. Deon Clash
Bobby Lee vs. Nick Browne

The post Bobby Lee vs. Nick Browne Set for Bellator 268 appeared first on Cageside Press.

“This being my fourth fight, I’m getting more and more comfortable,” he told Cageside Press in an exclusive interview ahead of his upcoming fight. “Every time I come out here, it’s a little bit less anxious, and a little less anxiety than the last. So I’m getting more confident being out here, and just in my career too, I’m getting more confident in my career.”

Franklin has been learning on the fly on one of the sport’s biggest stages, with all his professional bouts coming under the Bellator MMA banner. He quickly learned one lesson: “The fans don’t really care if you’re learning on the fly or not. All they care about is results,” Franklin noted. “Once you realize that, it don’t become tough. You’ve just got to put that pressure on yourself and just know that you’re in a ball game quicker than everybody else. You’ve got to show up.”

One advantage for Franklin is training with a top camp at Jackson-Wink MMA. “Most of the guys I’m fighting, they don’t got Jon Jones on their team. They don’t got high quality sparring partners like I do, high quality training partners, high quality coaches like I do. When I think of it like that and I put it into that perspective, I know that they ain’t got this, I got this on lock.”

Despite his confidence, Franklin recognizes that in the fight game, nothing is certain. “This isn’t the WWE, it’s not scripted. We go out there, and God forbid, anything can happen.”

Bellator 264 opponent Everett Cummings is an undefeated 15-0, so you might consider him Franklin’s toughest test to date. Franklin, however, sees the reverse being true. “I’m his toughest test to date.”

“What have you seen him do that was so special that you’d be like ‘okay, Davion’s going to have a whole lot of problems?'” Franklin questioned. “Have you seen anything?”

Ultimately, Franklin feels that he’s in direct control of the outcome in this one.

“I’m going to go out there and have fun. I’m going out there to do my job, I’m going to go out there to handle my business, but most importantly, I’m going out there to have fun,” Franklin stated. And on top of “going out there to do what I want to do,” he added that “it’s like I’m playing a video game. All the power is in my control.”

Watch our full interview with Bellator 264 heavyweight Davion Franklin above! The event takes place this Friday, August 13 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.

The post Bellator 264’s Davion Franklin: “All the Power Is In My Control” appeared first on Cageside Press.

“Besides Aiemann Zahabi, all short notice,” Morales stated, speaking to Cageside Press ahead of the fight. This weekend, the 30-year old is up against Drako Rodriguez. “I got a full camp. Let some things settle in, some tactics settle in. Feels like a long time coming.”

Morales will never use his short notice bouts as excuses; the fan favorite is never shy about taking center stage to a big opportunity that presents itself. Morales is eyeing a bonus, he is hoping Dana White is in a giving mood and continues to hand out 75,000 bonuses. The 9-5 fighter is treating this one like his back is against the wall, whether it is or isn’t, Morales doesn’t want to find out.

“I’m treating it like my back is up against the wall,” Morales told Cageside Press. “I think I put myself in that position, no one forced me to take those short notice fights. Put myself in this situation, know my back is against the wall. I’m ready to show that I belong in the division.”

When asked if a Vince Morales backed in a corner is the most dangerous version, it isn’t.

“Any version is the most dangerous.”

Vince Morales takes on Drako Rodriguez at UFC 265 this Saturday, August 7 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

The post UFC 265’s Vince Morales: “Any Version of Me is Dangerous” appeared first on Cageside Press.

The CES cage is no stranger when it comes to Howard; the man has competed in the promotion’s cage a total of six times. He is glad to see his career come full circle and compete for his hometown crowd.

“It feels good to see my fans,” Howard began. “I fight all over the place, the country and the world, they don’t always get to see me live. My home is Massachusetts, this fight is home for me, my hometown crowd.”

Howard has competed for major promotions, including most recently for the PFL in 2019. He notably KO’d Ray Cooper III during this stint. Howard enjoyed his time for PFL, and was unsure why the promotion decided to move on from his services.

“Nothing but love for the PFL,” Howard began. “They did a dream come true for me, two fights in one night, I wanted that in my career. It was them, their decision. Not sure why they didn’t bring me back but very appreciative. I’m the only guy to knock out their champion. I’ll just keep grinding.”

It would be easy to call it a career, as a UFC, Ultimate Fighter and PFL veteran. Howard could have hung up the gloves and looked back on a special career, which was a pleasure to watch. Instead Howard is returning to the regional scene, the scene where it all began, and his goals don’t end with CES.

“I’m not done,” Howard told Cageside Press. “Another shot, I want a belt in the UFC, PFL or Bellator. My body is good, I have all the skills, I’m a better everything. I am the best athlete I’ve ever been. I want to go to CES and make a great shows, then want one of those three major belts.”

CES 63 takes this Friday, August 6 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts. John “Doomsday” Howard faces Ozzie Alvarez in the main event.

The post CES 63: John “Doomsday” Howard Feels He Is on the Chase for a Major Promotion’s Title appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I work Monday through Friday,” Martin told Cageside Press. “If my wife lets me work the day before the fight, I’m at work. That is why I like fighting close to home, don’t want to take vacation time, not fair to the old lady. I love fighting at home, sleeping in my own bed.”

The hardworking and happy Brett Martin plans for fireworks in the XFC co-main event this weekend.

“I’m just excited,” Martin stated. “Kinda the same story I have, fought some tough dudes. His last fight he fought on 2 or 3 days notice, I was supposed to have the Jack May fight. I don’t say no to fighting, I say no to shit that doesn’t make sense in my life. Even if the UFC is paying me what they are paying [Conor] McGregor, I won’t put the shovel down. I’m ranked 1 at heavyweight in the mid west, he’s 2, story writes itself.”

Watch our full interview with XFC 45’s Brett Martin above!

The post XFC 45: Brett Martin Plans to Be at Work the Day Before the Fight appeared first on Cageside Press.

His coach, Tyson Chartier, had the following to say about Pagliarulo:

“I’m excited to see him back in the cage,” Chartier said over text. “He’s a true example of hard work, dedication and benchmarking. The sky is the limit for this kid not only because of his talent, but because he is doing all the right things. He’s doing them year round, not just in camp.”

Pagliarulo spoke about being a member of the New England Cartel, with fellow members Font and Kattar. Pagliarulo was a main sparring partner for the Max Holloway fight for Kattar, and was found by Rob Font years ago, molded into the talent we see today.

“I’m with the right group of people,” Pagliarulo stated. “I trust in them, they trust in me. We are going to keep doing our thing, keep winning big fights. We have a small circle, but a good circle. That Holloway fight, we did some good rounds, me and Cal (Calvin Kattar), that showed me alright I’m not afraid to stand here with Cal, there is no one they are going to put in front of me on the regional scene that will intimidate me,” Pagliarulo continued. “I treat all these guys on the regional scene like they are the best in the world.”

The post CES 63: Tom Pagliarulo Talks Confidence of Training With Calvin Kattar, Rob Font appeared first on Cageside Press.