News
Amear Bani, top-ranked Canadian amateur featherweight prospect signs with Dodge Sports
The top-ranked amateur featherweight prospect in all of Canada, Amear Bani (7-1), has signed with Dodge Sports for full-service representation as he begins the next chapter of his MMA career.
Bani, 24, joins teammates CFFC middleweight champion Aaron Jeffery (10-2), CFFC strawweight title challenger Jasmine Jasudavicius (5-1), and BFL lightweight Zackery Powell (4-1) as the fourth current Dodge Sports client to train out of Niagara Top Team in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
“Given that I have not fought in two years, I would still say that I strive to have at least two fights by the end of this year,” Bani said. “It’s just a matter of catching an opportunity, [which I believe signing with Dodge Sports will help me to do].”
As an amateur, Bani captured the War of Gods amateur lightweight title, Montreal Fight League amateur featherweight title, and the Cage Wars amateur featherweight title.
He boasts an eye-popping 100% finishing rate, scoring six submissions and one TKO in his amateur career.
“The only way I would describe my fighting style,” said Bani, “would be that I am a combat artist that takes the route of least resistance.”
Amear Bani will look to close out 2021 with his highly-anticipated professional debut. When it comes to what he thinks fans should expect, Bani was succinct in his answer:
“I believe once I get an opportunity to fight next, a lot of jaws are dropping.”
Dodge Sports CEO Matt Dodge stated, “We’re excited that Amear and his team have trusted us in guiding and developing his professional career. As soon as we saw the tape on him, we knew he was a guy that could do big things.”
Keep it with VMTV for all your latest news & updates from around the world!
News
Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out
Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170.
An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest.
The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health.
CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega.
The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners.
The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest.
The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name.
“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career.
Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors.
‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round.
Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature.
Interviews
“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21
Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines.
The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.
Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.
Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday.
“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said.
“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”
When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action.
He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set.
Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.
“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said.
“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”
News
UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas
Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.
Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.
***
Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)
Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout
Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout
Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout
Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout
Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout
Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout
Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)
Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout
Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout
Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout
Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout
Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout
Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout
Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout
***
For more UFC content, stay tuned to Violent Money TV.
-
News3 years ago
King of Lethwei Dave Leduc BANNED from Myanmar and competing in the sport
-
News2 years ago
Sam Kapoi, half-brother of Max Holloway, sentenced for meth possession
-
News3 years ago
Nathias Frederick vs Matthew Bonner revealed for Cage Warriors 123
-
News3 years ago
UAE Warriors 19 & 20 fight cards
-
News3 years ago
Paige VanZant is seeking a KO victory over Rachael Ostovich
-
News3 years ago
The Latinas of Combate Global set for world domination
-
News2 years ago
Fans disgusted at inter-gender MMA fight in Poland
-
Interviews2 years ago
VMTV Vaults | EP.38 – Deniz Ilbay