TKO

TKO34: Sims vs Bosse

MONTREAL, CANADA – TKO Championship Fighting is excites to announce the line-up for TKO34: SIMS vs. BOSSE which is set for Saturday, June 7th, 2008 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The main event features notorious, three-time UFC veteran, Wes Sims against perennial fan favorite, Steve Bosse. This is a colossal showdown in TKO’s heavyweight division which is guaranteed to be surrounded by lots of excitement, talk and drama. The co-main event is a terrific fight between undefeated, Adrian Wooley against the up and coming, Danny Martinez in a battle for the new Bantamweight Championship! Also on the card will be a fan friendly matchup between devastating strikers, Yannick Galipeau and Stephane Dube.

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Martinez Stops Croes at “Battle in Paradise”

Danny Martinez used superior conditioning to outlast Aruba native and fellow featherweight prospect Johan Croes at TKO Championship Fighting’s “Battle in Paradise” last night in Oranjestad, Aruba.

Martinez pressured Croes on the feet early and eventually scored a takedown midway through the first round that had him control his opponent on the ground for the remainder of the round. The same sequence of events occurred in the second round as well, giving Martinez a big lead on the judge’s scorecards.

Croes, who visibly fatigued at the start of the third round, was unable to prevent Martinez from taking the fight to the mat once again. Martinez took advantage of a tired Croes and swung away with a number of unanswered punches and elbows until the referee moved in to stop the night’s main event.

Rising heavyweight Ben Gallant suffered his first professional loss at the hands of Guido Carlo, who stopped Gallant with strikes in the first round of their fight.

Complete event results:

Danny Martinez def. Johan Croez - TKO (Strikes)
Guido Carlo def. Ben Gallant - TKO (Strikes)
Martin Grandmont def. Hyram Rodriguez - Unanimous Decision
Samuel Guillet def. Ingar Bareno - Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Yves Lemelin def. Jonrick Flanegin - TKO (Corner Stoppage)
James Richardson def. Richard Williams - TKO (Strikes)
Gregory Milliar def. Scott Wright - TKO (Strikes)
Christopher Hulme def. Jamiel Werleman - TKO (Strikes)
Gregory Oehlers def. Ignar Bareno Nacho - TKO (Strikes)

TKO Set to Debut in Aruba Sun

TKO Championship Fighting will hold an event outside of Canada for the first time in over five years when the organization travels to Oranjestad, Aruba for TKO 33: Battle in Paradise tomorrow night.

The promotion last put on a show outside of Canada in Honolulu, Hawaii in September 2002 while they were known as the Universal Combat Challenge.

Aruba native and featherweight prospect Johan Croes will take on Danny Martinez in the main event. Croes stopped veteran Mark Fraser with strikes in his TKO debut in February. Martinez last lost a unanimous decision to Mark Hominick in December.

Samuel Guillet will try to extend his current two-fight winning streak when he takes on newcomer Ingar Bareno. Heavyweight prospect Ben Gallant will attempt to stay undefeated against Guido Carlo.

Gallant has been from a preliminary bout to the main card against Carlo after it was learned that popular hockey enforcer turned mixed martial artist Steve Bosse would be unable to compete until June due to a lingering hand injury. Bosse will now take on UFC veteran Wes Sims this summer.

A total of eight fights will take place tomorrow night. The complete card is as follows:

Johan Croes vs. Danny Martinez
James Richardson vs. Richard Williams
Ben Gallant vs. Guido Carlo
Gregory Milliard vs. Scott Wright
Ingar Bareno vs. Samuel Guillet
Martin Grandmont vs. Hyram Rodriguez
Yves Lemelin vs. Johnrick Flanagan
Christopher Hulme vs. Jamiel Werleman

TKO Inks Hominick to Long-Term Deal

TKO Championship Fighting announced over the weekend that they have signed former featherweight champion Mark Hominick to a long-term deal.

Hominick last fought for the promotion in December, winning a unanimous decision over Danny Martinez. He was granted his release from World Extreme Cagefighting following a submission loss to Josh Grispi in February.

“I’m so thrilled to be back fighting for the TKO organization and in front of the Montreal crowd,” Hominick said in a press release sent out to the media. I’ve always felt like Montreal and TKO was like my home. More than anything else, I want to be the TKO champion once again and I’m willing to fight whoever they put in front of me to get my title back.”

According to TKO President Stephane Patry, Hominick’s new deal makes him one of the highest-paid fighters in the Quebec-based organization.

“I’ve always been the world’s biggest fan of Mark Hominick and he’s always been a top priority for me and the whole TKO organization,” Patry said. “We sat down with his new management group and we reached a very good deal with Mark that makes him one of the highest paid fighters in the organization and he deserved it.”

Hominick is also currently slated to likely be part of Affliction Clothing’s inaugural show in July. The event will reportedly be headlined by a heavyweight clash between top ranked Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia.

Bosse-Sims Announced for TKO’s Return to Montreal

TKO Championship Fighting has announced three bouts for the promotion’s return to their usual home of Montreal, Quebec, Canada on June 7th.

The organization revealed the current fight card for the event on their official website over the weekend.

Popular hockey enforcer turned mixed martial artist Steve Bosse will return to action at the show, taking on Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Wes Sims in the main event.

Bosse was recently forced to pull out of the organization’s upcoming April 18th “Battle in Paradise” event in Oranjestad, Aruba due to a lingering hand injury and duties with the St. Jean Chiefs of the LNAH that will leave him unable to participate on the card.

The 26-year-old suffered the first loss of his career in December when he was stopped by former TKO heavyweight champion Icho Larenas in controversial fashion.

Sims, who is currently being featured on BET’s “Iron Ring” reality show, has not fought since losing a unanimous decision to journeyman Travis Fulton at a Fightfest event in September of last year. The loss was Sims’ third in his last four fights.

Additional bouts announced TKO 34: Bosse vs Sims also included a welterweight affair between Stephane Dube and Yannick Galipeau as well as a lightweight clash between Martin Grandmont and Samuel Guillet. Dube, Grandmont, and Guillet are also all being advertised as fighting on April 18th in Aruba against separate opponents.

“Battle in Paradise” Moves Forward Bosse-less

TKO Championship Fighting will hold an event outside of Canada for the first time in over five years when the organization travels to Oranjestad, Aruba for TKO 33: Battle in Paradise on April 11th. The promotion last put on a show in Honolulu, Hawaii in September 2002 while they were known as the Universal Combat Challenge.

However fans of Stephane Patry’s project might be a little disappointed to find that despite still being advertised as fighting at the event, popular hockey enforcer turned mixed martial artist Steve Bosse will not be competing against scheduled opponent Guido Carlo.

MMA on Tap has learned that Bosse is still recovering from a lingering hand injury and that duties with the St. Jean Chiefs of the LNAH will leave him unable to participate on the card. Bosse will be replaced by Ben Gallant, who has been moved from a preliminary bout to the main card.

Aruba native and featherweight prospect Johan Croes will take on Danny Martinez in the main event. Croes stopped veteran Mark Fraser with strikes in his TKO debut in February. Martinez last lost a unanimous decision to Mark Hominick in December.

The current card for the event is as follows:

Johan Croes vs. Danny Martinez
Derek Gauthier vs. Richard Williams
Ben Gallant vs. Guido Carlo
Gregory Milliard vs. Scott Wright
Ingar Bareno vs. Samuel Guillet
Martin Grandmont vs. Hyram Rodriguez
Stephane Dube vs. Johnrick Flanagan
Christopher Hulme vs. Jamiel Werleman
Evan Nedd vs. TBA

TKO Preparing for April’s “Battle in Paradise”

TKO Championship Fighting will hold an event outside of Canada for the first time in over five years when the organization travels to Oranjestad, Aruba for TKO 33: Battle in Paradise on April 11th. The promotion last put on a show in Honolulu, Hawaii in September 2002 while they were known as the Universal Combat Challenge.

The organization revealed the current fight card for the event on their official website over the weekend.

Aruba native and featherweight prospect Johan Croes will headline the card in the main event against an opponent yet to be announced. Croes stopped veteran Mark Fraser with strikes in his TKO debut in February. TKO Xtreme suggests that Danny Martinez will likely be Croes’ counterpart in the fight.

Popular hockey enforcer turned mixed martial artist Steve Bosse has recovered from a lingering hand injury and will return to action at the event against Carlo Guido, who will be making his professional debut.

Bosse suffered the first loss of his career in December when he was stopped by former TKO heavyweight champion Icho Larenas in controversial fashion.

Undefeated welterweight Derek Gauthier will go up against newcomer Richard Williams. Yannick Galipeau and Jonrick Flanigan will also clash in a welterweight affair as well.

Additional undercard bouts include Ben Gallant attempting to stay undefeated against Greghoulos Oehlers, Christopher Hulme challenging Jamiel Werleman, and Adrian Wooley going up against an opponent yet to be determined.

CKA: Mar 7, 2008

Highlights of Kim Couture’s Muay-Thai match at an Xtreme Couture smoker last weekend courtesy of RawVegas above.

Who’s Your Favorite UFC Ring Girl?

Each week AskMen.com holds their ‘Beauty Pageant Of The Week’. Last week was the girls on this season of American Idol, this week is the girls of the UFC.

Go ahead and vote for who you think is the hottest of the trio. Rachelle Leah, Arianny Celeste, and Edith Larente are all ready to receive your vote. I went with Arianny but that’s just me. Make sure you hurry up and get your picks in. It is the end of the week you know.

Jordan Replaces Richards in YAMMA Tournament

UFC veteran Kevin Jordan has replaced Rex Richards in YAMMA Pit Fighting’s upcoming eight-man heavyweight tournament next month according to the latest fight card on the organization’s official website.

Jordan was submitted by Paul Buentello and knocked out by Gabriel Gonzaga before being released from the UFC. Since then Jordan has gone 2-1. His last fight was a submission win over Carlos Morena at a Battle Cage Xtreme show last October.

AFL: Erupption Filled With UFC Veterans

The American Fight League will hold an event titled “Erupption” tonight at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky that will feature four veterans of the Ultimate Fighting Championship competing on the card. Junior Assuncao, Rory Singer and Dan Christison will all be in action in separate fights.

Diego Saraiva will go up against Joe Ammerman for the AFL lightweight title in the night’s main event.

Vigneault to Travel to Aruba for TKO 33

TKO Championship Fighting veteran Stephane Vigneault will be fighting on the organization’s next card in Aruba according to a report from our friends at TKO Xtreme.

After a near two-year hiatus from active competition, Vigneault made his return at TKO 31: Young Guns in December but ended up being submitted by lightweight prospect Ben Greer. Vigneault bounced back with a TKO win over Daniel Ferguson last weekend.

Radio Schedule

Fightlinker: The Low Blow Episode 40: March Mailbag, live!
Jarry Park: Krzysztof Soszynski Helps Kick Off The Weekend

12-1 PM EST - TAGG Radio
1-3 PM EST - The Savage Dog Show
3-5 PM EST - The Beatdown
3-4 PM EST - The Fight Network Radio
9-10 PM EST - MMAWeekly’s Sound Off
11 PM EST - Knockout Radio

Landi-Jons Injury Gives Gassaway Win at TKO 32

Jose Landi-Jons suffered a brutal leg injury in the second round of his main event fight against fellow journeyman Brian Gassaway last night, handing Gassaway his third straight win under disappointing circumstances at last night’s TKO 32: Ultimatum.

The pleasant crowd inside the Bell Centre in Montreal, the same arena where the Ultimate Fighting Championship will travel to in April, saw Landi-Jons score early and often with a barrage of leg kicks in the first round. Gassaway responded with a straight left that momentarily stunned the former Chute Boxe co-founder but Landi-Jons will able to keep his composure and eventually take Gassaway down to the canvas.

Landi-Jons quickly transitioned to side control, where he was able to hold Gassaway down for the majority of the round. After an effective ground and pound attack slowed down to nothing, referee Yves Lavigne opted to stand the two up where they exchanged a mix of kicks and punches until the horn sounded.

The two went right back into exchanging at the start of the second round. However a checked leg kick ended up snapping Landi-Jons ankle, sending him crumpling to the canvas. Gassaway pounced on his opponent and landed a couple of unanswered rights before he noticed that Landi-Jons was injured. Lavigne moved in to stop the fight while Gassaway waved ringside doctors into the cage.

Landi-Jons was taken away on a stretcher but gave a thumbs-up while being wheeled out of the arena that the crowd enjoyed.

Jesse Bongfeldt retained his TKO welterweight title with a late submission of top contender T.J. Grant. The two engaged in an entertaining war that saw each fighter land hard punches standing and pull off aesthetically-pleasing grappling moves and holds throughout the course of the fight.

After coming out guns blazing to start the third round, the champion swung away with wild punches, allowing Grant to score an easy takedown. After landing a pair of right hands on his opponent, Grant ended up getting caught in an armbar and was forced to tap out in the middle of the final round.

Complete event results are below:

Brian Gassaway def. Jose Landi-Jons - TKO (Injury)
Jesse Bongfeldt def. T.J. Grant - Submission (Armbar)
Derek Gauthier def. Yannick Galipeau - Submission (Choke)
Samuel Guillet def. Jordan Mein - Submission (Kimura)
Stéphane Vigneault def. Daniel Ferguson - TKO (Strikes)
Guillaume Lamarche def. Justin Tavernini - Split Decision
Adrian Wooley def. Syd Barnier - TKO (Strikes)
Johan Croes def. Mark Fraser - TKO (Strikes)
Jeff Harrison def. Tyler Jackson - Submission (Guillotine)
Ben Gallant def. Scott Wright - TKO (Strikes)
Tim Wadsworth def. Brad Duguay - TKO (Strikes)
Christopher Hulme def. Vladmir Victor - TKO (Strikes)

Gassaway Ready for Veteran Test in Landi-Jons

Similar to his long-time training partner Shonie Carter, Brian Gassaway has fought and won in various mixed martial arts promotions all around the world.

The experience he has gained can’t be measured in terms of it’s importance, it’s obvious that it adds an entirely different dimension to his game compared to those who only have a dozen fights or so in the sport. However his experience will likely be put to the test later tonight, as he will take on fellow veteran Jose Landi-Jons in the main event of TKO 32: Ultimatum.

Despite riding a constant wave of disappointment - Landi-Jons has lost nine out of his thirteen bouts since knocking out Matt Hughes in 2004 - Gassaway still acknowledges the former co-founder of Chute Boxe as one of the greatest fighters out there.

“I have to say that it’s an honor to fight someone as good as “Pele"," Gassaway said during a recent interview session. “I have to be honest, I’m going into the twilight of my career. Who knows how much longer I’m going to be fighting. At this stage, I just want to be able to fight the best guys that I can and Landi-Jons is definitely one of them.”

Gassaway is coming off of two unsuccessful stints inside the confines of the Zuffa-owned Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting promotions. Despite not looking very good in his either of his fights, the Chicago native hopes that he can win enough fights in order to receive one more shot.

“The biggest thing I regret in my fights against Sanchez and Alessio is that I wasn’t aggressive enough,” Gassaway said. “I don’t know what it was, maybe the bright lights and everything, but I definitely should have opened up and thrown my hands more. I’m not going to make that mistake in this fight though, that’s for sure.”

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