Premier FC 7
From Old School
Premier FC Promoter Karyn Wesch is bringing the promotion back to the Mullins Center at U-Mass, Amherst this Saturday Night, December 3rd for their seventh event. Premier is definitely raising the MMA bar in Western New England as Karyn and her match maker Jason Franklin have assembled one of the finest fight cards of the year. “We have two fights that could headline almost any fight card in the region,” said Jason as he explained the difficulty in choosing the Main Event; Dan Lauzon v Anthony Kaponis and Ryan Quinn v Ricardo Funch are two fights that could anchor any event.
Lightweight Dan Lauzon (15-4) is a UFC veteran who would like nothing more than a trip back to the big show. Since being cut loose from the UFC he has finished all three opponents he has faced. “Dan is motivated,” said Jason. “We needed to fill in a late replacement (for Matt Bessette) and Dan said to get him the toughest opponent that we could find.” Enter Anthony Kaponis (4-4).
“Kaponis has always fought tough opponents,” said Jason. This can be a gift as well as a curse. He has several wins at Welterweight, but is much better suited to the Lightweight division. His Losses have come to Chuck O’Neil, Nick Newell, Matt Bessette, and Ryan Sanders; fighters that are highly ranked and / or undefeated, with a combined record of 23-7. Anthony is allergic to easy fights. He is game and dangerous. He showed Knock Out power in his wins at Welterweight against Adam McQuaid and Steve Dunn. Lauzon is the heavy favorite, but Kaponis is a dangerous guy with nothing to lose. “A lot depends on which Anthony Kaponis shows up,” said Jason.
Another Main Event quality fight that has the attention of gym rats and MMA junkies is the Ryan Quinn v Ricardo Funch Welterweight match. This is the classic ground fighter v striker. “Each fighter’s strength is the other’s weakness.
Ricardo Funch (7-2) has fought in the UFC and his only two losses are in the UFC. He is a homegrown talent in Western Mass and was a top regionally ranked Welterweight before being called up to the big show. He has, however, been generally inactive on the MMA scene over the past year and a half. “Ricardo’s kick boxing is second to none,” said Jason Franklin. He will have his hands full when he returns to the New England scene this Saturday. “The Winner of this fight will be the one who imposes his will,” said Jason. Yeah, you always want to play in your own sandbox…
Looking to keep the fight in his own sandbox will be Ryan Quinn. Quinn (7-2-1) is a product of American Top Team, splitting his time between ATT Connecticut and ATT Florida. He rose to the top of the MMA Welterweight pile by defeating then # 1 ranked Brett Oteri via submission back in august. Much like several of his Welterweight buddies here in the NorthEast, Ryan is one critical win away from a trip to the big show.
Sityodtong Lightweight Tyson Chartier (1-1) has had several recent fights evaporate, so when yet another opponent came up injured he just told Jason Franklin to get him a tough guy. Welterweight Ralph Johnson (5-4) stepped up and Tyson agreed without hesitation to the Welterweight match-up. Tyson is a 5’8” 155 lb ground fighter with Sityodtong stand-up while Ralphy is a 6’6” 170 lb albatross with a Bones Jones wing span. Ralphy is a freakish Welterweight with Knock Out power. Can Tyson get this fight to the ground without taking too much damage beforehand? What level of conditioning will Big Ralph bring to the table?
Also on the card will be the Pro debuts of Rob Font and Matt Tuthill, two very successful Amateurs meeting as Pro Lightweights. We will be seeing the return of Rich Moskowitz as he takes on Abner Lloveras; both of these warriors have been fighting since fighting wasn’t even cool.
So, for all the mat rats and gym junkies here in New England clamoring for top fighters fighting top fighters, come and get it!
The Mullins Center is one of the “Big Arena” venues here in New England. The last show that they had here had the feel of the big shows, with all the bells and whistles, but without any attitude. “We know the fans and fighters want the feel of the big show; big venue, big crowd, big entrance, and Tiered seating,” said Jason. And that’s just what they deliver. For information and tickets, visit www.thepremierfc.com.
Here is the line up (in no particular order) for the Pro card for Premier FC 7:
1. Rob Font (Sityodtong) 0-0 vs. Matt Tuthill (Renegade Kumite) 0-0 155lbs.
2. Fred Mandracchia (Independent) 1-1 vs. Mike Flores (AFT/Gladiator BJJ) 3-0-1 125bs.
3. Tyson Chartier (Sityodtong) 1-1 vs. Ralph Johnson 5-4 170lbs.
4. Lowell Zangri (Moreau) 0-0 vs. Josh Mellen (Bancroft Boxing & MMA) 2-4 190lbs.
5. Rich Moskowitz (Sityodtong) 10-6 vs. Abner “Skullman” Lloveras (Link) 13-6 155lbs.
6. Ryan Quinn (American Top Team) 7-2-1 vs. Ricardo Funch (Link) 7-2 170lbs.
7. Dan Lauzon 15-4 vs. Anthony Kaponis (AFT) 4-4 165lbs.
Really good lookin card
dan lauzon is gonna get beat up once he leaves the arena
Bonnell,
Your ears and keyboard must have been burning. Give me a call when you’ve got a minute. Yeah, Dan, this card is one of the best of the year.
Old School
Great card , cant wait to b there with my SYT brothers….. i hope all the fights go down and no one pulls out !!
I think Ryan Quinn’s hands are underrated. He landed a bunch of shots on Matt Lee, who has great hands. I’m picking Quinn/Funch as fight of the night.
If anyone tries to touch Dany they are retarded. People talk shit everyday and to fight in the streets is juvenile. Not to mention if any BS takes place it just gives not only the sport however also MMA within NE a bad name. That being said this is going to be an awesome card and I look forward to being there. Good job Karyn
What’s with the threats on Lauzon? The violence should stay in the cage! I’m always trying to defend the sport to my friends, telling them it’s not violent, but it sounds like almost every event this year has had an incident. You keyboard warriors and drunk guys yelling “Knock him out!” should be ashamed. Nearly every MMA practitioner I’ve met has been impossibly nice, so it must be the fans or the wannabes.
All that aside, I like the sound of this card. I saw Quinn beat Oteri so you gotta know he’s ready to rock. Tyson got what he asked for, a tough fight; I love a fight where serious strategy is required. Lauzon is scary but Kaponis is a tough dude with good cardio. Not too many fights, and each one is good!
Great card.
Great write up Old School!! See you there!
Write on, my Western Mass amigo!
Lauzon has 11 more wins than Kaponis
Dan would gladly kick your butt in the ring lefty. I bet your a big brock lesner fan aren’t you? Good luck fighters and dont let your fate rest in the hands of the judges. Go for broke and stick to your gameplan until it doesnt work then in the last round take chances. Seize the dayand leave it all in the cage so i can tell my wife all the fun shes gonna miss
I’ll see you all there! drinks after?
wow threats on lauzon? prob not a good idea i am betting he is not a punk on the street either lol. Why would u threaten him when u can just fight him in the cage? i think lauzon wins by ko1 and tyson by sub1.. This card is awesome. Love the Quinn vs Funch fight, really pulling for funch as he has been very helpful to our team sparring…he is a TOUGH fighter, very skilled, i just really hope he is ready cuz quinn is a GREAT fighter too…lets go LINK!
WOW ,haters gonna hate, lol lefty…….. not gonna happen !!!
Lefty/Friend of (Name of Known Local Fighter) — As much as I want to see this whole (Name of Known Local Fighter) vs Dan Lauzon 2…it shouldn’t be in the streets…don’t do anything that will retard your fighting careers
The only thing I really hate about the new layout of the site is how anyone can post again without registering, which leads to people like lefty posting under an alias. Thing is we all know it either Damian or one of his buddys posting that so why the hell are you hiding behind some fake name.
What are you talking about, Greg? I feel the honor system is working just fine!
Im finah fight my way to da UFC! Dana respects my street cred yo! Clod stizzzeeeel mind yo bizz pimp before I go all yellow power ranger on u!
Damien I think you’re sexy and I’d sleep with you because who can resist a man who owns every MLB team’s fitted hat. I don’t even care that you spent your whole life savings doing it
this website is a joke! hhahahahhahaahhahaha funny the people on here talking shit dont have the balls to say it to me in my face! And lefty is not me so its whatever! ive done interviews saying how i feel about lauzon i dont need to hide behind a name! whats also funny is that the people on here running there mouths are people who smile in my face when they see me hahhahahahha so fake and GrossTummy bear or whatever ur name is are u mad cuz i fu**** your wife or girl what one!? lol Hi Haters hahahahahaah im laughing at least i have the balls to fight anyone
and I will street fight my way to the UFC. Thats me. Streets made me haters
I’ve already learned my lesson on signing street fighters…. The last one we signed didn’t know how to defend chokes either.
Damien does make a point , if you got something to say at least use ur name, my name is Mike Gresh and if i got something to say i will bring it up in a respectable way and after that…. LETS FIGHT !!
The hate is strong in this thread. Even though he lost, Trites was gunning for Lauzon in their fight and came out with both pistols smoking. You HAVE to respect him for that.
Its easy to hate on someone that puts themselves out there the way fighters do. Whether or not you like a guys personality, you have to respect their willingness to put in on the line, especially when its against a former UFC fighter. Danny Lauzon is still younger than most of the guys in the top 10 at 155. The kid is still LEARNING and growing as a fighter and Trites went after him. If you cant respect that then maybe you should find another sport. My detroit Lions are always looking for new fans.
P.S. Congrats to Matt Bessette for getting promoted to brown belt yesterday! Its the first time I’ve ever promoted someone to brown belt……I kid, I kid.