We’re in what is typically known as “the dog days of summer,” which a lot of times can mean less MMA action. But that’s certainly not the case this weekend, as there is a wealth of solid events across the Ohio Valley. There are also multiple veterans and top prospects in action, so it’s a good opportunity to get out and see some top talent and future stars alike.
This week’s schedule features six MMA events in the Ohio Valley, as well as two bonus events: one boxing event, and an all-pro MMA event in Michigan. What’s even more exciting is that those six events take place in four different states, so no matter whether you’re in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, or Tennessee, there is sure to be action near you.
Here’s the schedule for this weekend:
Aug 15 – RISE Fighting 1 (Toledo, OH)
Obviously we don’t typically cover boxing here at BluegrassMMA, but this event is an exception. Not only because it’s put on by a group that also promotes MMA, but because there are at least a few notable MMA talents who will be competing. First up, Kyle “Kyote” Rozewski (0-0 boxing, 4-4 MMA) will make his pro debut against Wesley Tucker (2-0, 2 KO). Rozewski, who co-hosts The Kyote Ugly Show, is also preparing to make a trip to China next month to train. Also on the card, Northwest Ohio veterans Matt Montalvo (0-0 boxing, 6-11 MMA) and Steve Smith (0-0 boxing, 5-8 MMA) will square off. It all goes down tonight in Toledo at the Grand Plaza Hotel.
Aug 15 – Valor Fights 14 (Pigeon Forge, TN)
If you like your MMA mixed with a little bit of kickboxing and you’re anywhere near Tennessee, then this event is for you. Part of a two-night mega-event for Valor Fights, the first half goes down on Friday with amateur kickboxing and MMA. Main eventer Nick Gehrts joined BluegrassMMA LIve earlier this week to talk about his fight at this event.
Aug 15 – WXC: Evolution (Soutgate, MI)
Again, Michigan is a little out of our coverage area, but this event is just outside of Detroit and features an all-pro card. Notable fighters include XFC veteran DeQuan Townsend (7-2), Dominick Sindone (3-1), unbeaten prospect Cody Stamann (6-0), Bellator veteran Eric Moon (14-12-1) and TUF 15 veteran Chris Tickle (8-7). Talented amateur Bobby Nash (0-0, 7-0 am) will also make his pro debut.
Aug 16 – Turf Wars 20 (Florence, KY)
Turf Wars returns to Northern Kentucky on Saturday night with yet another solid card, featuring big show veterans and top prospects alike. In the main event, XFC veteran Eric Moell (5-2) looks for his third win in a row as he takes on Illinois’ Manny Vazquez (3-0). Popular fighter Billy “Mojo” Horne (11-4) will also be on the card, as he takes on unbeaten rising star Donta Wade (3-0).
But perhaps the biggest story at Turfway Park will be the return of Cody Gabelman (1-0), who has finished serving a suspension and will take on Joe Szczublewski (1-3). After setting a torrid pace in 2013 that saw him go 12-0 as an amateur, Gabelman was successful in his pro debut in January. But then he failed a pre-fight screening in March and was suspended. Now, he’ll be in action for just the second time this year against Szczublewski, who competes for the second time in two weeks after securing his first win as a pro with a stoppage over Eugene Barrett last week at Primetime MMA in Toledo.
Moell and Wade both joined BluegrassMMA Live to talk about their fights this week, as did promoter Rod Housely.
Aug 16 – Bluegrass Brawl 13: Night of Champions (Lexington, KY)
Bluegrass Brawl returns to Lexington, and if you like seeing championship action, then this event is for you. Six titles will be on the line, including a professional main event that will feature Willis Sergent (2-0) taking on Michael Seals (3-2). TUF 19 veteran Josh Clark (7-2) also returns home to the Bluegrass State, as he takes on Marcus Finch (8-7) in the co-feature. Also, amateurs Cody Smith (4-1) and Chris Teague (3-1) will battle for the lightweight title. If you need any more reasons to check out this event, then read Gary Thomas’ ‘5 reasons to not miss Bluegrass Brawl 13’ here. AFS Academy’s Brandon Campbell talked about his flyweight title bout on BluegrassMMA Live earlier this week.
Aug 16 – EFP: Caged Madness 31 (Akron, OH)
This is the lone event in the Buckeye State this week, and Caged Madness 31 features yet another solid offering from one of Ohio’s most consistent organizations. A really intriguing battle will take place in the main event, as Bellator MMA veteran Rob White (3-1) takes on Ohio MMA mainstay Reggie Parks (3-1-1). White is coming off of the first lost of his career in the Bellator cage last November, as he steps in for the first time this year. He’ll face the 39-year-old Parks, who is 1-1-1 in his last three outings. Most recently, we saw him pick up a split decison over Eric Attard at IT Fight Series 26 in June.
Other pro bouts on the card feature veteran Dustin Kempf (6-7) vs. Matthew Egner (2-5) and Mike Williams (1-1) vs. Mike Cardona (0-0, 10-6 am). The card also features 13 amateur bouts, including notables Steve Saldana (3-1) vs. Brandon Odom (8-9), Dru Schottenheimer (6-5-1) vs. Aaron Neighbors (8-6), and the unbeaten Adli Edwards (3-0). Check out the full card here. Ryan Cavanaugh, who will call the action on Saturday, joined The Kyote Ugly Show earlier this week to break down the event.
Aug 16 – Midwest Fight Series: MFS X (Indianapolis, IN)
This event goes down in Indianapolis, as multiple notable fighters will be in action in the organization that is co-owned by Chris Lytle. In the main event, unbeaten Lloyd Thornton (2-0) will take on TUF veteran Orville Smith (17-3). Three other pro bouts are also on tap, including unbeaten fighters David Bernas (3-0) and Andrew Holbrook (6-0) in action. In the amateur main event, somebody’s “0” will have to go, as unbeaten lightweights Tyler Fennessee (5-0) and Timothy Brown (3-0) square off for the lightweight title. Check out the full card here.
Aug 16 – Valor Fights 15 (Pigeon Forge, TN)
Tennessee is lucky this weekend, with two full nights of combat sports action. And this Saturday event especially stands out, as fan favorite Adam Townsend (8-3) will take on Augusta Tindall (3-5). The records may make this bout seem a little one-sided, but Tindall is known for taking the toughest fights against the toughest guys, which in part has led to his sub-.500 record. Townsend always puts on a show, and he looks for his third win in a row here. In the night’s other pro bout, Fit Factory’s Josh Carter (2-0) looks to stay perfect, as he takes on Four Seasons product James Douglas (1-2).
Local fighters, big stage
Gray Maynard (11-3-1) – who wrestled in high school at Northeast Ohio powerhouse Lakewood St. Edward and won the 1998 state champioship – will take on Ross Pearson (15-7) in the co-main event at UFC Fight Night 47 in Bangor, Maine on Saturday night. Maynard looks to snap out of a streak where he has lost three of his last four, including two straight. The TUF 5 vet will go after his first win since earning a split decision over Clay Guida at UFC on FX in June 2012 when he ventures to the Octagon on Fox Sports 1.
Also, Tennessee native Ovince St. Preux (16-5) looks to start his UFC career 5-0 when he takes on Ryan Bader (17-4) in the UFC Fight Night 47 main event.
Be sure to check return to BluegrassMMA.com early next week for full results from all of this weekend’s action.