AFO will kick off 2010 with its second “New Year’s Redemption” MMA show at the Braintree Sheraton. The 9th show promoted by AFO will feature the first title defense by the popular Paddy Thompson of Pembroke, MA in the main event. Thompson, 7-2, who represents of South Shore Sportfighting of Rockland, MA will face the tough and dangerous Jose Valentin of Holyoke, MA. At 5-4, Valentin steps into the cage with the same professional experience as Thompson, and against some tough competition. “I feel that I have learned from every fight, and improved as a fighter even with my losses.” The well-spoken, humble Valentin, who trains under Jason Franklin at American Fight Team in E. Longmeadow equals Thompson as one of the nicest guys in local MMA. It looks to play out as a well-matched, exciting fight between two fighters who are both easy to cheer for and hard to rout against. Valentin is a deserving contender to the qualified, solid champ Thompson.
In the co-feature, South Shore’s Billy Flynn will face ICE champ Kenny Hazzard. The tank-like Hazzard is making his second AFO appearance, and is coming off a big upset win for the ICE title.
Chris Monsini, 1-0, of nearby Dedham, MA will face veteran Dennis DeBaggis of Providence, RI. DeBaggis has shown excellent skills and determination against very tough competition, and is moving down to what he considers his natural weight against the talented Monsini.
Bishop’s Boxing and Fitness of W. Bridgewater will be represented by Don Shanis facing independent Tony Davy, while Anthony Zarella will step in against Sityodtong’s Jason Reinhold. Both Reinhold and Zarella will be making their first appearances as MMA fighter in the 170-pound amateur bout.
Connor’s MMA of Dedham will feature 205 pound prospect Jesse McElligott against the intimidating Joshua Robertson, who brings a reputation in the underground circuit in Miami. Robertson will be making his first foray into the octagon with rules against the 18-year old McElligott.
Also from Connor’s will be the talented 135-pounder Mike Campanella facing the tough Joe McDonald from Providence. Campanella impressed in his last outing in November, easily overpowering previously undefeated Norman Thibeault.
One of the most intriguing fights of the night will pit South Shore Sportfighting’s Joe Lamoureaux, a corrections officer at Walpole State Penitentiary, against Team Ravenous’ “Sick” Nick Vaughn at a catch-weight of 190 pounds. The superbly conditioned Lamoureaux will trade conditioning for experience against the 1-0 Vaughn, in a fight which will open the second half of the show.
Two more of the top area gyms will be pitting a pair of their top undefeated amateur prospects against one another. South Shore’s John DeRusha will face Sityodtong’s Lewis Corapi at 155 pounds. Each fighter brings a perfect 2-0 record to the table. Both athletes are making their second AFO appearance, and this one looks like a fight to remember.
Miguel Rivera’s Doomsday MMA, AFO regulars, will feature Jim Armato, 1-0 against Smithfield MMA’s George Katsars at 155 pounds while Doomsday’s Joe Cloutier will be looking for his first amateur victory against heavyweight Matthew Snee.
Mike Littlefield of Boneyard MMA will once again bring the exciting Graeme Prue to AFO, facing talented Rhode Islander Jessey Penny. Prue fought a memorable fight with Anthony “Squirrel” Carmenatti in August, and hopes to face the winner of Mike Campenella-Joe McDonald in February.
InnerCircle’s Nick Ryder will make his mma debut against Mike Schneider MMA’s Zack Lydon and Woonsocket’s Andrew Harnois, who made a successful debut in November will face Rick Leonard, an AFO veteran returning after several months of intense training. Tickets are on sale now through the all new web site www.afomma.com or by calling 401-300-6321.
BMUR
on Dec 22nd, 2009
@ 11:58 PM:
Keep an eye on Jesse McElligott, at just 18 this kid is the real deal!! He’s gonna be trouble for a lot of guys if he makes the move to 185!
Reep
on Dec 23rd, 2009
@ 6:23 AM:
Really looking forward to this show! Should be a bunch of great fights!! Best of luck to all fighters and teams involved, Especially Sik Nick Vaughan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DiLorenzo
on Dec 24th, 2009
@ 12:20 PM:
Merry Christmas !! This should be a great show – I’m glad to have Kenny back with us and I’m really excited to see South Shore’s John DeRusha will face Sityodtong’s Lewis Corapi at 155 pounds as well as both guys from Conners!!! All very talented fighters on this card. We have a new look for the website, let me know what you think of it. We will be selling many different clothing lines on through it as well as tickets and Ryan White from sssf has a blog on it as well with both local and national news. An interview with Frank Mir will be up later this week!! So here is my push for the show!!! GET YOUR TICKETS, ALL THE COOL PEOLPE WILL BE THERE! DONT MISS OUT! 1st SHOW OF THE YEAR
DiLorenzo
on Jan 7th, 2010
@ 6:03 PM:
Any Dany Lauzon Fans??? Of Course There are!!! All Over New England and the Country!! Come see him in the AFO cage Sat Night at New Years Redemption as he gives one of his 1st interviews since his UFC fight!!!!
JohnSepulvedaAFO
on Jan 7th, 2010
@ 6:18 PM:
I will be standing in the AFO Cage interviewing Danny Lauzon this Saturday night!!! how could you miss it? See what the UFC star has to say about his fight just 7 days after competiting on Spike TV at UFC 108. Tickets still available at AFOMMA.com. If you have a great question you would like me to ask email JohnSepulvedaAFO@yahoo.com
DiLorenzo
on Jan 8th, 2010
@ 9:46 AM:
Got your tickets yet to the 1st show of the year?? Go get ‘em.. afomma.com
KinKong
on Jan 9th, 2010
@ 8:13 PM:
I wish I could be there. I’ll be waiting impatiently for the review.
Kevin the Ref
on Jan 10th, 2010
@ 11:12 AM:
Great night of fights last night. Thanks to all the fighters and fans who came out. Here are the results:
135lb Am. Graeme Prue def Jesse Penny @1:37 R1 via Guillotine
155lb Am. George Katsars def Jim Armato @2:51 R1 via RNC
175lb Am. Zack Lydon def. Nick Ryder @1:37 R2 via TKO RSC
205lb Am. Jesse McElligott def Graham Butler @:50 R1 via TKO RSC
170lb Am. Thai Nguyen def Daniel Shields via UD 29/27
145lb Am. Chris Monsini def Dennis DeBaggis @2:31 R1 via Guillotine
175lb Am. Don Shanis def Tony Davey @2:31 R2 via RNC
Hwt Am. Joe Lamoureaux def Matthew Snee @1:23 R3 via TKO RSC
170lb PRO Title Paddy Thompson def Jose Valentin @1:02 R1 via KO
I really have to give the AFO team credit. Between fighters dropping out last minute, no showing, and just about everything else that could go wrong, AFO still was able to put together a heck of a show.
DiLorenzo
on Jan 10th, 2010
@ 12:02 PM:
Also there was Barrington Douce vs Mike Campinalla (I’m sure I messed up the spelling there) in the grappling match. Barrington won that 10-4. We had one Fighter that pulled a no show – I WILL post his name and school so other promoters know to use caution with him – maybe something happened, but once I find out I’ll the truth I’ll post. If was definitely a weird night for us right down to keys being lock in the car with our ring announcer and then our DJ’s speaker line was out. . . . . .
BUT – The fans got to see some exciting fights ! at the end, along with the fighters getting to fight it was a success … Thank you everyone that came out
DiLorenzo
on Jan 10th, 2010
@ 12:04 PM:
Also thank you Dany for giving the fans an interview