My fellow fight fans, this weekend grab the popcorn and a brew for this weekend was made just for you.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23rd 2015
Bellator 144: Halsey vs. Carvalho
Brandon Bull Halsey (9-0) will compete for the second time in 2015 when he meets Rafael Carvalho (11-1) for the Bellator MMA middleweight title in the co-main event tonight
The main event of Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2 features a bantamweight title fight between Marcos Galvao (17-6-1) and Eduardo Dantas, (17-4). In addition, Irish Brennan Ward (11-3) will be in action, as will Michael Venom Page (8-0). The pair of welterweights opponents, as well as additional bouts will be announced shortly.
Undefeated to open his professional mixed martial arts career, Halsey looks to take back the middleweight title that he never lost. Bull was stripped of the title after a training camp injury hindered his ability to make weight prior to Bellator 137: Halsey vs. Grove, a fight that the 28-year-old went on to win in emphatic fashion. Its worth noting that Halsey recently re-signed with Bellator MMA to an exclusive, multi-fight contract.
Carvalho entered his Bellator debut with Joe Stitch Em Up Schilling at Bellator 136: Brooks vs. Jansen as the underdog, but after a tightly contested bout, earned a split decision victory. The 29-year-old Rio de Janeiro resident has not tasted defeat since the opening contest of his 12-fight career and has only seen two of his wins go as far as the judges scorecards.
The contest will serve as the co-main event of “Bellator 144: Galvao vs. Dantas 2,” which airs live on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24th 2015
UFC Fight Night 76: Holohan vs. Smolka
A once extremely exciting match between Dustin Poirier and Joseph Duffy was scrapped due to a concussion that forced Joseph Duffy out of Saturdays UFC Fight Night 76 headliner.
So sad to announce that I wont be fighting on Saturday, Duffy wrote on his official Instagram account. After a strike to the head in training I had precautionary medical tests which resulted in me being deemed not fit to fight. Obviously Im absolutely gutted, I really wanted that fight and felt sharp in training.
Instead, Flyweights Paddy Holohan (12-1-1) faces Louis Smolka (9-1) to salvage the overseas event. The UFC has always had considerable traction on the emerald isle and with the attention brought by Ireland’s most famous martial artist, Connor McGregor, i’m sure it will still do well.
Watch the main card live on UFC Fight Pass tomorrow afternoon at 4pm
Terence “Bud” Crawford vs. Dierry Jean
Undefeated two-division world champion, Shadow League Leadership Award recipient and the reigning Fighter of the Year, Terence “Bud” Crawford (26-0, 18 KOs), Omaha’s favorite son, is one day away from his homecoming defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight title against one-time world title challenger and current No. 6 world-rated contender, Dierry “Dougy Style” Jean (29-1, 20 KOs), a native of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, who now fights out of Montral, Qubec, Canada.
The two warriors boast a near-perfect combined record of 55-1 (38 KOs) — a winning ratio of 98% with nearly 70% of those victories coming by way of knockout.
Dierry Jean is a good fighter. I am not overlooking him,” said Crawford. “There is a lot at stake for both of us. One of the secrets to my success has been to never look past an opponent or train less than 110% for a fight. Its all about focus and keeping the blinders on. If you dont respect the talents of the man in the opposite corner then youre asking for trouble.”
Crawford has been known as the career stealer after his brutal KO over former Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson protege, Yuriyokis Gamboa in June 2014.
It was a great honor being the [2014] Fighter of the Year. It was so big. A lot of great fighters never won it and for me to win it at such an early age is quite humbling. This will be MY show on Saturday night. Jean will not dictate the fight to me. Who cares if Jean sparred with Manny Pacquiao? Thats sparring. Body wise, I feel comfortable and much stronger at 140 than I did at 135.”
I feel great being home in Omaha. I cant think of a better place to make the first defense of my junior welterweight world title. Its going to be a great fight and a great event. I am so Omaha. I wear it on my trunkson my sleeveand in my heart.”
Crawford vs. Jean takes place This Saturday! October 24, at CenturyLink Center Omaha. The championship event will be televised live on HBO World Championship Boxing, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT.
