There’s no offseason for mixed martial arts, although the last month or so in the Ohio Valley has given us at least a little bit of a respite from the whirlwind number of events that we’re used to seeing. That all ends this weekend though, as fans will be treated to events in both Ohio and Kentucky over the weekend, as well as an event in Atlantic City for our friends who are lookng for a bit of a road trip.
In Ohio it’s the debut of Rob Hanna’s Elite Fighting Series, while Hardrock MMA continues its successful run in the Bluegrass State. That mixed in with Ring of Combat 49 on Friday night in New Jersey, which you can still stream even if you can’t make the trip to the Tropicana.
Check out this weekend’s MMA lineup in the Ohio Valley:
Elite Fighting Series I (Dayton, OH)
Aside from amassing a 4-0 pro MMA record, current fighter Rob Hanna will take on the task of promoting fights as well, as he throws his hat into the Ohio MMA ring with this weekend’s debut Elite Fighting Series I in his hometown of Dayton. Hanna has said that he eventually wants to promote bigger and better events including pro fights when he joined Bluegrass MMA Live earlier this week, but he’s not putting the cart before the horse as this event features a wealth of untested and raw talent with an all-amateur event.
A pair of experienced lightweights will square off in an intriguing bout, as James Pfeiffer (8-1) faces Robert Ingram (6-5) at 155 pounds. Pfeiffer teased going pro after his knockout win over Brian Haubiel, but that was already a year ago and this will be his first bout since then. Ingram, meanwhile, will be competing for the first time since March 2013, when he dropped a bout to Brittany Skelton via TKO.
Exciting fighter Jesus Pacheco (2-0), also known as The Famous Pacheco, will make his return to action for the first time since November when he takes on Brennon Witcher (3-4). Rob Hanna’s twin brother Steve Hanna (1-0) will also be competing at the event. Witcher and Hussein Hmood (5-7) also joined Gary Thomas and Juan Valle on Bluegrass MMA Live earlier this week to talk about their fights at this event. Check out the full 11-fight card for this event here.
Hardrock MMA 68 (Somerset, KY)
Hardrock MMA returns to Somerset, as the organization hosts its second event in two weeks. It’s also yet another pro/am, featuring a trio of pro bouts to go along with an amateur featherweight title bout. Evva Johnson (0-0, 8-1 am) makes her pro debut after an impressive amateur career, as she takes on Priscilla Brownfield (0-1), who competes for the first time since 2010, in the main event. Other pro bouts feature Derik Byrd (2-4) vs. Lee Suprgeon (1-1) and Kendale Young (0-0, 7-2 am) vs. Nicholas Rodriguez (0-2).
In amateur action, BluegrassMMA’s own Gina Begley (4-3) will compete in her home state for the first time in nearly two years, as she takes on Ashley Rickard (4-3) in her return bout. Cornett and Begley joined Bluegrass MMA Live earlier this week to talk about their fights.
Ring of Combat 49 (Atlantic City, NJ)
Ring of Combat continues to be a pipeline to the UFC, as Lou Neglia has now sent more than 85 fighters to the world’s largest organization, including Chris Weidman, Frankie Edgar, Matt Serra, and many more. ROC 49 could be the final step for featherweight champ Andre Harrison (6-0) before he is signed to compete in the Octagon, but he’ll have a stiff test to pass first in the form of UFC veteran Jeff Lentz (9-4-1).
The ROC flyweight title will also be on the line, as Matthew Rizzo (6-2) gets another shot at Jimmy Grant (5-1) after losing via KO in their first bout back in May. Ohio MMA fighter Jake Grigson (5-3) will also be in action, as he challenges Julio Arce (5-0) for the bantamweight title. Also be on the lookout for Gregor Gillespie (2-0), a former NCAA champ and four-time All-American wrestler who takes on Justin Harrington (6-1) at the event. Neglia and Harrison joined The Kyote Ugly Show earlier this month to talk about the event. The event will air via iPPV on GFL.tv.