AFO Fights for Haiti with “Last Man Standing”

 Announcement of February 26 Lineup!

 With the New Year and the immanent approach of regulation by the State Athletic Commission, AFO will be one of the last shows under the current self-regulation. After establishing a strong following at the Braintree Sheraton, AFO will also be changing venues after the Braintree facility announced that it has been sold and the current ballroom utilized by AFO for 9 shows has been shut down until the new management decides on its future use.

 After an extensive search, AFO is pleased to have reached an agreement to run it’s “Last Man Standing” pro-am show at Lombardo’s in Randolph, MA. Just minutes away from the Braintree Sheraton, off exit 5A, the lovely facility seats over 1500, and will have the same features including free parking, cash bar, restaurant and hotel on property.

 AFO looks forward to testing the waters at Lombardo’s and is hoping for the kind of impressive turnout that Braintree has given their shows for the last 15 months.

Headlining this very special card will be 170 pound title holder Paddy Thompson of South Shore Sportfighting defending his title against Wakefield, RI’s Tim O’Connell. A very gifted Jui Jitsu fighter , O’Connell could be Thompson’s toughest challenge to date. Coming off an exciting win over the well-regarded Franklin Isabel, O’Connell is confident that he will leave the cage the new welterweight champ, as a matter of fact he’s guaranteeing it. Thompson, on the other hand, has looked progressively better as he’s become an AFO favorite, winning the title with a second-round stoppage over the dangerous Maurice McNeil and successfully defending it twice, most recently on January 9 with an exciting first-round knockout over Jose Valentin.

 The co feature on the pro side of the card will pit another South Shore Sportfighting favorite, Jeff Moore, against undefeated Brian Marino. Moore, an outstanding wrestler as well as a wrestling coach comes in 3-2, being upset in his last bout against Franklin Isabel. Marino, 2-0, is coming off a hard-fought win in New Hampshire in October over DJ Grimes, in which Marino suffered a broken hand and fractured bones in his foot. With 4 months to recover, Marino is looking forward to stepping back in and facing his toughest challenge yet in a fight which most observers consider to be one of the best matchups of the year.

 Many area schools will be represented on the show, which will be the last to feature amateur fights in Massachusetts for the immediate future. The State Athletic Commission has ruled that until a national organization is formed and approved by the Association of Boxing Commissioners to regulate and keep records of amateur mma, they will no longer allow it in the state. Subsequently, AFO will give as many amateur fighters the chance to fight in front of their home audiences once more.

 Red Line MMA our of Cambridge will have several of their very talented fighters on the show, including Kin Moy, 2-0 facing Connor’s MMA’s Mike Campanella, 2-1, in a 135 pound contest which could be one of the best amateur fights in years. Both fighters are extremely talented, strong, smart, and determined. This fight alone is worth the price of admission.

 Also from Red Line will be Leo Ikiki, Jeremiah Diruzzo, and Tim Leary. Sityodtong, one of the best-known schools in the country will be represented by Jimmy Davidson, 5-0, facing Waikru’s talented Chris Coogan in a fight originally scheduled for November. Lewis Corapi, 2-0, will face South Shore Sportfighting’s John DeRusha, also 2-0

 Speaking of South Shore, head trainer Bill Mahoney will make a return to the inside of the cage. At 41, Bill, one of the most respected trainers in the business, wants to take another shot at competition. Heavyweight Paul Barry, 2-0, is also slated to appear, as well as amateurs Dave Lachapelle, Mike Polvere, Joe Lamareaux, and John Campbell. Waikru will not only feature Chris Coogan but female fighter Katie Merrill facing crowd favorite Koreena Goslin at 115 pounds.

 Female MMA action will continue pitting Neree Harrington of Providence, RI against Trea Rivera of Doomsday. Also from Doomsday will be Jim Armato facing Dillon “Angry Jesus” Jennings, Joe Cloutier facing South Shore’s Joe Lamoreaux, and 2-0 185 pounder Sean Cody facing Brendon LaPlante.

 LaPlante will be one of 4 fighters out of Brian Olsen’s New England MMA and Fitness. Also appearing will be Eric Lee, Boyce Kaman, and Devin Ortiz. This will be the first time AFO has featured Olsen’s fighters and we are looking forward to having them on the show.

 Mike Dexter MMA will be represented by rough 155 pounder Jeff Lyon as well as 170 amateur debut Joe Powers.  Independents Joey Clayton will face crowd favorite Tony Davey at 170, while Nick Ryder, who fought the most exciting fight on the January 9 card will return against Tim Leary. Dan Shields will fact Smithfield MMA’s Dave Bradley, Fred Mandracchia from Lon Wolf will appear at 135 pounds, and in a very interesting match up against Michael Aponte from Pawtucket RI, Tyson Chartier will stake his 4-0 record against 4-1 Mike Filiponi of American Fighting Arts in what may be another candidate of fight on the night on a show where every fight looks to be a war.

 The AFO has used their platform on several occasions to help other organizations such as the Greater Boston Food Bank, American Cancer Society,  Several different youth clubs in RI as well as Mass and this time they will helping the Red Cross in efforts to help raise much needed money for Haiti.  AFO will donate 40% of all ticket sales that are bought online from Friday, January 29^th through Saturday, Feb 6^th.  Please be sure to visit the new website www.afomma.com  for more info.