Burns impressed during his first BRAVE CF outing and now joins stacked 125-pound roster in search of becoming the first BRAVE CF Flyweight world champion Irishman Gerard Burns is the latest addition to BRAVE Combat Federation’s Flyweight division. The Fight Academy prodigy has signed a multi-fight deal with the most global MMA organization in the world following a shocking debut at BRAVE CF 80, last December. Fighting away from European soil for the first time in his career, Burns silenced the Bahraini crowd at BRAVE CF 80 when he put Hussain Ayyad to sleep in a thunderous KO victory that sent shockwaves through the Flyweight division.  Now, Burns has a long-term contract with BRAVE Combat Federation and will attempt to become the first-ever Flyweight world champion for the promotion, which has been trying to crown a titleholder for the 125-pound division but has been unable to due to a myriad of reasons, from fight cancellations, weight misses, and other hindrances.  However, Burns is promising to end what has been widely reported as the Flyweight curse, as he has set his eyes on winning the inaugural belt right after his win over Ayyad. ‘’I know that there’s no world champion right now for BRAVE CF in the Flyweight division. I’m your guy. I promised I would bring back home to Ireland a world title and I’m going to hopefully fulfill that promise!’’. Gerard joins a stacked Flyweight roster, with the likes of Flavio Queiroz, Edilceu Alves, Marciano Ferreira, Zach Makovsky, Bidizina Gavashelishvili, and Muhammad Idrisov, among others, all vying for that elusive world championship belt and a place in the history books as the first-ever BRAVE CF Flyweight champion of the world.

Bellator Champions Series to consist of eight star studded global events featuring Title Fights on every card Bellator Champions Series set to launch in Belfast, Northern Ireland on March 22 at The SSE Arena, Belfast Belfast’s Karl Moore faces Corey Anderson for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship and Belfast’s Leah McCourt faces Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 302 Bellator Champions Series events to be staged in MMA growth markets throughout the U.S., Europe and other international regions Belfast tickets available this Wednesday, February 7 at  ticketmaster.ie The Professional Fighters League (PFL), after their industry shaping acquisition of Bellator, has announced the first of eight   Bellator Champions Series events will kick off in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Friday March 22 at The SSE Arena, Belfast.  Bellator Champions Series  events will take place in top MMA growth markets around the world, featuring world title fights and world ranked fighters on each card. The reimagined  Bellator Champions Series  is part of a landmark agreement between PFL and DAZN. Beginning with  Bellator 302  on March 22 on DAZN fans will be able to watch  Bellator Champions Series  events at prime times in the UK, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, France and other European markets.  “After the landmark acquisition of Bellator, the Professional Fighters League is excited to officially announce a new era of MMA with the launch of the ‘Bellator Champions Series ’  global franchise,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “The Bellator Champions Series” will feature reigning Bellator Champion fighters defending their titles against the best fighters in the world from the start studded Bellator roster.  Fans will have access to the best competition and the most innovate formats in MMA distributed by leaders in sport including DAZN.” “The growth in popularity of MMA is being matched by the innovation and promotion that DAZN is delivering in partnership with the Professional Fighters League.” Pete Oliver, CEO of Growth Markets for DAZN said. “The Bellator Champions Series is another example of DAZN delivering fantastic matchups, where the best take on the best, and what promises to be some of the best fight nights in the sport for DAZN’s customers. All delivered by our award-winning app, which is widely available across smart and internet enabled devices, through a broad range of distribution partnerships, and with a variety of flexible and accessible price points." Bellator Champions Series  kicks off with  Bellator 302 , headlined by a battle for the vacant Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship between  Corey “Overtime” Anderson  (17-6, 1 NC) and Belfast’s own  Karl Moore  (12-2). In addition, Belfast’s  Leah McCourt  (8-3) faces  Sinead Kavanagh  (9-6) in a 2022 rematch.“The PFL is excited to kick off the new Bellator Champions Series this March in Belfast,” said James Frewin, SVP International at PFL. “Along with our great partner DAZN we look forward to giving MMA fans a premium experience through the PFL’s eight Bellator Champions Series events.”  Tickets for  Bellator Champions Series  in Belfast will be available via special pre-sale beginning Wednesday, February 6, with a general on-sale of Thursday, February 7 at ticketmaster.ie . Doors for   Bellator 302  open at 4 pm local time, with the first preliminary bout taking place one hour later at 5 pm.  Additional distribution information including a U.S. broadcast partner will be announced in coming weeks. Prior to the Professional Fighter’s Leagues industry shaping acquisition of Bellator in November of 2023, Bellator held 301 events building a recognized worldwide roster of elite talent. In re-imagining Bellator the PFL will continue the commitment of investing in athletes from underserved regions while continuing to add global stars to the roster. Bellator 302 Main Event & Co-Main Event: Light Heavyweight World Title Bout:  Corey Anderson  (17-6, 1 NC) vs.  Karl Moore (12-2) Women’s Featherweight Co-Main Event:   Leah McCourt  (8-3) vs.  Sinead Kavanagh  (9-6) Corey Anderson signed with Bellator in 2020 and made an immediate impact on the 205-pound division. The Rockton, Ill. native most recently defeated former champion Phil Davis and now will enter his matchup at   Bellator 302  with his sights set on capturing the thus far elusive Light Heavyweight Championship. Standing across form him will be Belfast native Karl Moore. Moore is 4-0 under the Bellator banner, with finishes in seven of 12 appearances as a professional. A nine-fight Bellator veteran, Leah McCourt makes her return to Bellator in a highly anticipated Women’s Featherweight clash against Sinead Kavanagh. Kavanagh has built a reputation around her knockout power and relentless style of fighting. The pair of featherweights first encountered each other in 2022 at Bellator 275 in Dublin where Kavanagh emerged victorious. The two will look to prove who is the division’s top contender.  PFL is the only organization in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next-generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners.

Black Belt Publisher George Chung sat down with Jesse Enkamp who calls himself “The Karate Nerd.” Jesse is a  #1 Amazon.com  best-selling author, entrepreneur, traveler, athlete, educator, and founder of Seishin International . His passion for Karate started in his parents’ dojo and expanded into a lifelong adventure traveling the world, competing, meeting masters, and learning more about martial arts. With more than 800,000 subscribers on YouTube, over half a million on Facebook, and hundreds of thousands across other platforms, he’s created an army of fellow “ Karate Nerds ,” and we are thrilled to see it! Jesse Enkamp on Creating the World's Most Popular Karate Blog! Check out the full interview where George challenges   Jesse’s knowledge of martial arts masters, they discuss his upbringing, and his fear of Master Ken! You can connect with Jesse online here: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KARATEbyJesse/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karatebyjesse/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karatebyjesse/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/karatebyjesse/

UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov just wrapped up, and oh boy, did it deliver some memorable moments! From stunning KOs to technical masterclasses, this event had it all. Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of each fight. Main Event: Middleweight Showdown In the spotlight, Nassourdine Imavov claimed victory over Roman Dolidze with a 5 Round Decision in a middleweight clash. This bout was a tactical chess match, showcasing Imavov's striking precision and Dolidze's resilience. But ultimately, Imavov's consistent pace and adaptability earned him the win in a closely contested battle. Co-Main Event: Lightweight Thriller The co-main event saw Renato Moicano taking on Drew Dober in a lightweight bout that went the distance. Moicano, known for his slick grappling, chose to engage Dober in a striking duel, showcasing his improved stand-up game. After three rounds of back-and-forth action, Moicano's versatility secured him a unanimous decision win. Main Card Highlights: Welterweight Knockout : Randy Brown made quick work of Muslim Salikhov, delivering a stunning KO/TKO at 3:17 of Round 1. Brown's striking was on point, landing a powerful combination that sent Salikhov to the canvas. Flyweight Decision : Natália Silva outclassed Viviane Araujo over three rounds. Silva's speed and striking accuracy were too much for Araujo, earning Silva a well-deserved decision victory. Middleweight No Contest : Aliaskhab Khizriev vs. Makhmud Muradov ended in a no contest due to an accidental foul. Both fighters showed promise, and fans are already clamoring for a rematch. Welterweight Power : Charles Radtke secured a late first-round KO/TKO victory over Gilbert Urbina. Radtke's devastating power was on full display, ending the fight with an explosive finish. Preliminary Card Standouts: Strawweight Submission : Molly McCann showcased her grappling chops, submitting Diana Belbiţă just one second before the final bell of Round 1. It was a thrilling finish that had fans on their feet. Flyweight and Welterweight Decisions : Charles Johnson and Themba Gorimbo each secured victories through decision and a lightning-fast KO/TKO, respectively, showing their skills and determination. Featherweight and Flyweight Battles : Jeong Yeong Lee and Luana Carolina each emerged victorious in their bouts, with Carolina notching a dramatic late KO/TKO in Round 3. Lightweight and Heavyweight Decisions : MarQuel Mederos and Jamal Pogues both earned unanimous decisions in their respective fights, displaying heart and skill. UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov was a rollercoaster of emotions with fighters across all divisions bringing their A-game. From explosive knockouts to technical masterpieces, this event had everything MMA fans could ask for. As we look forward to the next event, let's appreciate the dedication and spirit of all the athletes who stepped into the Octagon tonight. Here's to more thrilling fights and unforgettable moments in the world of MMA!

Former Boxing World Champion champion  Austin “No Doubt” Trout defeated Luis “Baboon” Palomino via unanimous decision in their action-packed showdown for the vacant BKFC Welterweight World Title in the main event of BKFC-57 on Friday, Feb. 2 at the sold-out Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL.   The judges scored it 49-45 across the board in favor of Trout, who dropped Palomino to the canvas in the fourth round.   With the win, Trout improves to 2-0 under the BKFC banner and the Las Cruces, NM product becomes the first world champion gloved boxer to lay claim to a BKFC World Championship. Palomino entered the fight as the only combatant in BKFC history to win their first nine bouts in the squared circle. The previously unbeaten Peru-born Miami product is the only fighter to ever sit atop the BKFC Pound-for-Pound rankings. “This wouldn’t feel as good if it wasn’t against a prime champion like ‘Baboon.’” Trout told the jam-packed Hard Rock Live. “I don’t think any win would be worthy of how I’m feeling now if it wasn’t against the king of BKFC … I’m going to be here for a long time, so get tired of me – I’m not going anywhere.”   In the  BKFC 57 co-main event, fast-rising Broward County, FL lightweight Bryce "Baby Yaga" Henry cruised to 4-0 with a second-round technical knockout over the previously unbeaten Robbie "Problems" Peralta of Escondido, CA. The stoppage came at the conclusion of the second round, when Peralta’s compromised vision forced the ringside doctor to stop the fight. Peralta, an eight-time UFC vet, is 3-1 after the loss. Henry, who entered fight night as the No. 4 contender in the stacked 155-pound weight class, called for his shot at BKFC gold after his victory. “I’ll fight (Tony “Loco” Soto) – I don’t care,” Henry told the crowd which included Soto in attendance. “I respect him as a fighter, but I think I’ll run right through him. If he doesn’t want to fight me, I’ll go back to my old weight class, 165, and take that belt too.”   Unbeaten Cuba-born Miami product  Bryan “El Gallo” Duran became the first fighter in BKFC history to win their first six fights by stoppage as he defeated former BKFC Featherweight World Title challenger Louie “El Loco” Lopez by fourth-round KO in the BKFC 57 feature fight. Duran picked himself up off the canvas for the first time in his BKFC career in the second round, and dropped Lopez in the first and fourth frames. Great Falls, MT’s Lopez, (3-3), entered fight night as the No. 1 contender in the BKFC featherweight division.   JoMi "The Archangel" Escoboza upped his bare-knuckle fighting record to 9-1 as the Coconut Creek, FL light-heavyweight scored a third-round KO over Junction, KS’s  Isaac "The Honey Badger" Doolittle. Doolittle, who entered the fight as the No. 3 contender in the BKFC light-heavyweight division saw his record drop to 4-2-1 with the loss.   Cuba-born Miami bantamweight  Alberto "El Indio" Blas cruised to 4-0 with a first-round technical knockout at the expense of former BKFC Bantamweight World Title challenger Daniel "Machete" Alvarez. The stoppage came one minute into the opening frame. The Imperial Valley, CA product Alvarez sees his record fall to 1-2 with the loss.   A new heavyweight contender emerged at  BKFC 57 in the form of Leonardo “El Zombo” Perdomo as the heavy-handed, Cuba-born Miami goliath smashed his way to 3-0 with a first-round KO over Bobby "The Zombie" Brents of Springfield, IL. Time of the stoppage was 33 seconds into the opening frame.   Unbeaten Delray Beach, FL featherweight  Justin “Joy Boy” Ibarrola needed just 15 seconds to steamroll Landon "Almost Famous" Williams with a first-round KO. Ibarrola is now 3-0 under the BKFC banner, while Williams dipped to 0-2.   In the first fight of the  BKFC 57 main card, Nicaragua-born Miami product Edgard "The Dream Killer" Plazaola dropped Darrick "The Buck" Gates of Idaho Falls, ID four times in the opening round of their featherweight showdown before the fight was stopped with just one second left in the opening frame. Plazaola improved to 2-0 with the win, and Gates’ record dropped to 1-5, 1 NC. Chris "Dynamite" Garcia of Clearwater, FL kept his perfect record intact with a hard-fought, majority-decision victory over Phoenix’s  Albert "Trill Fight" Inclan in bantamweight action. Garcia registered the lone knockdown of the bout in the fourth round, paving the way to the 48-46, 48-46, 47-47 decision over Inclan. Garcia upped his record to 3-0 with the win, while Inclan fell to 1-2 under the BKFC banner.   Clearwater, FL’s  "Royal" Ryan Reber dug deep to climb to 5-0 under the BKFC banner with a fourth-round standing TKO over Derek "Rage" Perez of Belen, NM in their bantamweight bout. Reber, the No. 3 contender in the 135lb. division, picked himself up off the canvas in the first round and looked all but defeated through three frames until the tide turned at the beginning of the fourth round. Time of the stoppage was 1:14. Perez’s record dropped to 2-2 with the loss.   In the first fight of the BKFC 57 Preliminary Card, Great Falls, MT’s  Leo “Bushido” Bercier earned his third straight stoppage victory with a fourth-round KO over Steve “Tomahawk” Townsel of Fort Pierce, FL. The back-and-forth cruiserweight battle came to a stop when Townsel injured his hand and was unable to continue. Time of the stoppage was 2:10. With the win, Bercier improved to 4-1 under the BKFC banner, while Townsel fell to 3-4.   Celebrities in attendance at  BKFC 57 included tennis icon Andre Agassi, two-time Super Bowl winner Jason Pierre-Paul, basketball legend Tracy McGrady and BKFC superstars "Platinum" Mike Perry and Lorenzo ‘The Juggernaut” Hunt among many others.   Here are the highlights from BKFC Founder/President  David Feldman’s post-event press conference.   On BKFC’s debut in Los Angeles on April 27: “It’s a really, really special card; we’re going to sell that one out really fast. We’re going to make an unbelievable debut in Los Angeles on April 27. The commission has been great to deal with and we’re going to blow California away.”   On the future of the vacant BKFC World Lightweight Championship: “It looks like (Bryce Henry versus Tony Soto) is going to happen.”   On the BKFC heavyweight division: “We’re going to blow up the heavyweight division right now. We have some big signings coming for the heavyweights as well. It’s going to be one of our most exciting divisions.”    On further BKFC global expansion: “We had people from all over the world in attendance tonight. They all loved it, and we’re going to expand everywhere.”   BKFC 57 Main Card Results   Austin Trout def. Luis Palomino via Unanimous Decision (49-45x3) Wins Vacant BKFC World Welterweight Title Bryce Henry def. Robbie Peralta via TKO in Round 2 (2:00) Bryan Duran def. Louie Lopez via KO in Round 4 (0:48) JoMi Escoboza def. Isaac Doolittle via KO in Round 3 (1:00) Alberto "El Indio" Blas def. Daniel Alvarez via TKO in Round 1 (1:00) Leonardo Perdomo def. Bobby Brents via KO in Round 1 (0:33) Edgard Plazaola def. Darrick Gates via TKO in Round 1 (1:59)   BKFC 57 Preliminary Card Results   Chris Garcia def. Albert Inclan via Majority Decision (48-46x2, 47-47) Ryan Reber def. Derek Perez via TKO in Round 4 (1:14) Leo Bercier def. Steve Townsel via KO in Round 4 (2:10)

BRAVE CF and partner WFC have announced several fighters to be in action on April 20, in the first of two Slovenia events for the most global MMA organization in the world in 2024. BRAVE Combat Federation hosted, in association with WFC, the Slovenia Press Conference to launch the partnership between the two organizations, as well as to officially announce two BRAVE CF events taking place in Ljubljana this year – on April 20 and October 19. BRAVE CF president Mohammed Shahid was joined by WFC president Zlatko Mahic and esteemed guests such as IMMAF president Kerrith Brown and Serbia MMA Federation president Luka Nikolic. During the press conference, BRAVE CF 81 was announced to take place on April 20, with several fighters confirmed for action. Most notably, the curtain-raiser for 2024 at BRAVE CF will count with the return of Erko Jun. The Light Heavyweight superstar last fought for BRAVE CF in Slovenia and will now get back to action in search of a 205-pound world title shot. Also confirmed for action at BRAVE CF 81 is one of the best up-and-coming Heavyweights in Europe, as Pavel Dailidko will look to book a world title shot of his own following a historic campaign in 2023 – he became the first BRAVE CF fighter to record  three KO victories on the same calendar year.  Other familiar faces to return to action are that of David Forster, who won the Fight of The Year for BRAVE CF in 2023 when he pushed Mohsen Mohammedseifi to the limit at BRAVE CF 79, and Monika Kucinic, who had choice words for Sabrina de Sousa, the best amateur of all time, also signed under BRAVE CF.  Finally, Haris Aksalic will also be in action once again, following a thunderous BRAVE CF debut, when the former boxing champion dismantled his opponent in the first round.  BRAVE CF 81 takes place in association with leading regional promotion WFC, at the Hala Tivoli, on April 20, in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

As the world of Mixed Martial Arts gears up for another exhilarating UFC Fight Night, fans are eagerly anticipating the clash of titans scheduled for February 3, 2024, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event, which will be available on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass, features a lineup of compelling matchups, headlined by the middleweight showdown between Roman Dolidze and Nassourdine Imavov. Here is a detailed breakdown of the main card bouts, offering insights and expectations for each fight for UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov Main Event | Middleweight · 185 lbs | Pro MMA Roman Dolidze vs. Nassourdine Imavov In the main event, Roman Dolidze faces Nassourdine Imavov in a middleweight bout that promises fireworks. Dolidze, known for his powerful grappling and striking skills, will be looking to assert his dominance in the division. Imavov, on the other hand, brings a well-rounded game and impressive agility to the octagon, making this a highly anticipated matchup. Co-Main Event | Lightweight · 155 lbs | Pro MMA Renato Moicano vs. Drew Dober The co-main event features a lightweight battle between Renato Moicano and Drew Dober. Moicano's exceptional submission skills and striking precision will be up against Dober's aggressive style and knockout power. This fight is expected to be a high-paced encounter between two of the division's most dynamic fighters. Main Card | Welterweight · 170 lbs | Pro MMA Randy Brown vs. Muslim Salikhov In the welterweight division, Randy Brown takes on Muslim Salikhov. Brown's length and striking ability make him a formidable opponent, while Salikhov, known as the 'King of Kung Fu', brings an exceptional striking background and knockout potential to the bout. Main Card | Flyweight · 125 lbs | Pro MMA Viviane Araujo vs. Natália Silva The women's flyweight bout features Viviane Araujo against Natália Silva. Araujo, with her aggressive stand-up game and grappling skills, will face a tough test against Silva, who has shown great promise with her striking and athleticism. Main Card | Middleweight · 185 lbs | Pro MMA Aliaskhab Khizriev vs. Makhmud Muradov Another middleweight bout on the main card sees Aliaskhab Khizriev facing Makhmud Muradov. Khizriev’s grappling expertise and ground control will be key against Muradov’s striking prowess and experience. Main Card | Welterweight · 170 lbs | Pro MMA Gilbert Urbina vs. Charles Radtke The welterweight division also brings Gilbert Urbina against Charles Radtke to the octagon. Urbina’s versatility and resilience meet Radtke’s striking accuracy and tactical approach in what promises to be a compelling matchup. Here is the preliminary card - FLYWEIGHT · 125 LBS | PRO MMA Molly McCann vs. Diana Belbiţă FLYWEIGHT · 125 LBS | PRO MMA Charles Johnson vs. Azat Maksum WELTERWEIGHT · 170 LBS | PRO MMA Themba Gorimbo vs. Pete Rodriguez FEATHERWEIGHT · 145 LBS | PRO MMA Blake Bilder vs. Jeong Yeong Lee FLYWEIGHT · 125 LBS | PRO MMA Julija Stoliarenko vs. Luana Carolina LIGHTWEIGHT · 155 LBS | PRO MMA Marquel Mederos vs. Landon Quiñones HEAVYWEIGHT · 265 LBS | PRO MMA Thomas Petersen vs. Jamal Pogues The card is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM EST (Eastern Time) /4:00 PM PST (Pacific Time)

ONE Championship got the weekend rolling with ONE Friday Fights 50 from Bangkok, Thailand. The exciting event featured 11 well-contested bouts from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.   In the main event, Komawut FA Group and Yodphupa Wimanair went toe-to-toe in a back-and-forth brawl. After nine minutes of high-octane action, Komawut got the edge on the scorecards and won via split decision.   Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree decided not to let his match against Kongklai Annymuaythai go to the score cards. At the outset of the third round, Panrit put away his fellow countryman by TKO in the first minute.   Petsaenchai M U Den KhonmaiBaowee scored an emphatic knockout over Petdam Petkiatpet. As the first round was nearing its end, Petsaenchai closed the show at the 2:31 mark to pick up a crucial victory. Ricardo Bravo scored a massive knockout of his own in just 30 seconds of work. The outstanding performance earned the Argentinian a six-figure contract with ONE. He was overcome with emotion, knowing he would jump to the global stage in a major way.   But Muay Thai was not the only exciting action.   The night began with back-to-back submission finishes. Avazbek Kholmirzaev got Leandro Gomes to tap out with a guillotine choke, while Carlo Bumina-ang secured an arm-triangle against Xie Zhipeng.   ONE Friday Fights 50 had plenty of martial arts excitement to thrill fans. If you missed any of the action, you can relive it all on-demand on ONE’s official YouTube channel . ONE Friday Fights 50 Full Results Komawut FA Group def. Yodphupa Wimanair by split decision Panrit Lukjaomaesaiwaree def. Kongklai Annymuaythai by TKO at 0:55 of the third round Petsaenchai M U Den KhonmaiBaowee def. Petdam Petkiatpet by KO at 2:31 of the first round Chokpreecha PK Saenchai def. Suesat Manop Gym by unanimous decision Win Sitjanim def. Mowgli Chor Ajalaboon by TKO at 1:15 of the second round Lamsing Sor Dechapan def. Mawin Soonkelahuaitom by unanimous decision Ricardo Bravo def. Kenan Bayramov by KO at 0:30 of the first round Parham Gheirati def. Peemai Mor Rattanabundit by split decision Chabakaew Sor KanJanchai def. Rebecca Watford by unanimous decision Petpalangchai Por Jaroenpat def. Shogo Kuriaki by unanimous decision Carlo Bumina-ang def. Xie Zhipeng via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:29 of the first round Avazbek Kholmirzaev def. Leandro Gomes via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:40 of the first round

Best known to MMA fans as the “Warmaster,” Josh Barnett is the youngest UFC heavyweight champion in the history of the league.  He is a celebrated veteran of mixed martial arts and has fought in such leagues as Pride Dream, Strike Force and Bellator and has had a successful pro wrestling career in the New Japan Pro Wrestling and TNA Wrestling. Today he continues to challenge himself with his Bloodsport promotion as well as competing in submission grappling and BJJ. Once dubbed the “baby faced assassin” he continues to thrill audiences both in and outside of the ring. In this interview, Black Belt’s Tony Parrish talks with Josh Barnett about his new world of MMA fighting. For more on Josh Barnett, visit his site: https://www.joshbarnett.com/ instagram.com/joshlbarnett Watch the full interview HERE!

ONE Fight Night 18, the latest installment in the world of mixed martial arts, recently concluded with a showcase of skill, endurance, and martial arts mastery on Amazon Prime Video. This event featured a mix of professional MMA, Muay Thai, and Kickboxing bouts, offering fans a diverse and thrilling combat sports experience. With athletes from various weight classes and disciplines, the event lived up to its reputation for delivering high-octane action and unforgettable moments. Main Event: Lightweight MMA Showdown: Shamil Gasanov vs. Ho Taek Oh In a captivating lightweight battle, Shamil Gasanov emerged victorious over Ho Taek Oh via a 3-round decision. This main event highlighted Gasanov's strategic prowess and endurance, as he navigated through the intense rounds to claim his win. Co-Main Event: Featherweight Muay Thai: Suablack Tor.Pran49 vs. Stefan Korodi The co-main event saw Suablack Tor.Pran49 triumph over Stefan Korodi in a featherweight Muay Thai clash. After three rounds of skilled exchanges and technical prowess, Tor.Pran49 was declared the winner by decision, showcasing his striking abilities and tactical acumen. Main Card Highlights Won Il Kwon vs. Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg (Featherweight MMA) In a stunning display of power, Won Il Kwon defeated Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg via KO/TKO at 2:40 of the second round. This featherweight bout was a testament to Kwon's striking capabilities and precision. Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong vs. Shakir Al-Tekreeti (Welterweight Muay Thai) Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong emerged victorious against Shakir Al-Tekreeti, securing a KO/TKO win at 1:44 of round two. Sitsongpeenong's performance was a highlight of the night, demonstrating his knockout power in the welterweight division. Artem Belakh vs. Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu (Featherweight MMA) In another featherweight MMA encounter, Artem Belakh claimed victory over Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu via KO/TKO at 4:55 of round two. Belakh's win was marked by impressive striking and timing. Liam Nolan vs. Ali Aliev (Welterweight Muay Thai) Liam Nolan outperformed Ali Aliev in a welterweight Muay Thai battle, winning via a 3-round decision. Nolan's tactical approach and resilience were key factors in his victory. Ji Won Kang vs. Mikhail Jamal Abdul-Latif (Heavyweight MMA) Heavyweight MMA saw Ji Won Kang defeat Mikhail Jamal Abdul-Latif with a KO/TKO at 4:09 of the second round. Kang's power and agility were on full display, leading to an emphatic win. Beybulat Isaev vs. Yuri Farcas (Heavyweight Kickboxing) Beybulat Isaev overcame Yuri Farcas in a heavyweight kickboxing match, securing a victory through a 3-round decision. Isaev's technique and control were crucial in this closely contested fight. Ibrahim Dauev vs. Mark Abelardo (Featherweight MMA) In the final bout of the main card, Ibrahim Dauev triumphed over Mark Abelardo via a 3-round decision in a featherweight MMA contest. Dauev's strategic execution and stamina paved the way for his success. ONE Fight Night 18 on Amazon Prime Video was a spectacular event that highlighted the diverse and dynamic world of combat sports. From tactical decisions to explosive knockouts, the night was filled with memorable moments that will surely resonate with fans of martial arts. Each fighter displayed exceptional skill and determination, making the event a testament to the spirit and excitement of modern combat sports.

There are a lot of action flicks coming in 2024. It took a village to narrow it down, but it looks like we have found the 7 biggest action movies coming in 2024! 1. Ballerina - June 2024 Another John Wick universe production? It's a given that this will be kick-ass. Starring Keanu Reeves and Ana De Armas, Ballerina  is an upcoming revenge-driven journey introducing a fresh protagonist who treads the path forged by John Wick, delving deeper into the intricate mythology of the criminal underworld. The narrative holds the potential to shed light on John Wick's enigmatic past. Despite featuring a new storyline and characters, it has been verified that Ballerina  will bring back several well-known characters from the  John Wick universe. 2. Rebel Moon Part Two: The Scargiver - April 2024 For those who have yet to see the first part of the two part movie saga Rebel Moon Part One: A Child of Fire , we will save the spoilers. However, what we will say is that the second installment begins when a peaceful colony on the edge of the galaxy is threatened by the armies of a tyrannical regent named Balisarius and the people send a woman to find a warrior team from around the galaxy to take a stand!  While we await the trailer for Part Two, here’s Part One: 3. Deadpool 3 -  July 2024 Starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, Wolverine returns to unexpectedly help Deadpool defeat a common enemy, despite usually wanting to strangle Deadpool in the process. 4. Madame Web - February 2024 Starring Dakota Johnson and Syndey Sweeney, when Cassandra Webb (a paramedic in New York City played by Johnson) begins to develop psychic abilities, she must learn to navigate this new power and what it means for her life. As she grapples with newfound insights into her past, she finds herself compelled to shield three young women from an enigmatic adversary determined to end their lives. 5. The Beekeeper - January 2024 Jason Statham stars in this action/thriller that is described as “ One man's brutal campaign for vengeance” as he takes on massive stakes after it's revealed he's a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as Beekeepers. 6. Bad Boys 4 - 2024  While much is still uncertain about the 4th installment of the Bad Boys franchise, Martin Lawrence and Will Smith are confirmed to reprise their roles as Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey in the Bad Boys 4  cast. In addition, several other Bad Boys for Life cast   members are returning, including Vanessa Hudgens as Kelly, Alexander Ludwig as Dorn, and Paola Núñez as Captain Rita Secada. 7. Kung Fu Panda 4 - March 2024 For the fourth installment of the Jack Black-led film series, we follow Po on his exhilarating adventures in ancient China. Armed with his love of kung fu and food, he will, as always, enjoy and embrace any obstacles that come his way.

Apart from skill, discipline, and talent, the athletes who compete in mixed martial arts (MMA) rely on confidence to help lead them to success.   Fortunately for Saudi Arabian featherweight Abdullah “The Reaper” Al-Qahtani, confidence isn’t something that he lacks, and he’s got quite a good reason to be self-assured.   The 25-year old Al-Qahtani boasts a 7-1 professional record, but more importantly, he’s undefeated in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) with a 2-0 record. Now, Al-Qahtani is getting ready to step into the biggest moment of his young MMA career, as he becomes one of the fighters on deck for the highly-anticipated PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions card this coming February 24th, 2024.   Not only does Al-Qahtani have the chance to prove that he belongs in the PFL’s million-dollar Regular Season tournament, but he’ll also be competing in his home country. The PFL’s first offering for 2024 will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.   “I never thought that I would be fighting in my hometown, surrounded by my team and the people who loved watching me fight,” Al-Qahtani shared. “It is a huge honour for me” “Inshallah, I will deliver an exciting performance for all the fans, just like in every fight I've had,” he continued.   While Al-Qahtani was the first fighter from The Kingdom to compete in the PFL, he wasn’t the first one from the Middle East. Either way, he hopes to continue to represent the region, and hopes that global promotions like the PFL can continue to provide platforms for other Middle Eastern fighters.   “Honestly, MMA is a relatively new sport in the Middle East, but it doesn't mean that we lack exceptional fighters here,” he explained. “It’s just that compared to fighters from other regions like Brazil, USA, etc., we have limited opportunities to showcase our skill sets on a global platform.” “With a huge global promotion like PFL expanding into the region and providing us with opportunities, Inshallah, we hope to demonstrate to the world what we are truly capable of,” he added.   Al-Qahtani has done well in making the most of his opportunity on a global platform in the PFL, and plans to continue that trend in Riyadh, where he’ll be taking on India’s Edukondala “The Badger” Rao, who comes in with a 4-1 professional record.   Going back to that confidence we spoke of, Al-Qahtani says that in terms of MMA, there’s no fighter that he can pinpoint as an idol or hero. He’d rather work to become that idol or hero.   “I don't have an MMA idol or hero that I look up to. Instead, I aspire to be the best version of myself in the cage.” “In a way, you could say I aim to be the hero I look up to, myself,” he continued.   In the same vein, Al-Qahtani sees only one fighter as the number one on his list. “I believe that I am the best of all time.”