Nate Diaz Protégé Chris Avila to Fight Former UFC Champion Anthony Pettis in Boxing Match

Posted on April 13, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Chris Avila is preparing to battle a former UFC champion in the boxing ring…

The 31-year-old mixed martial artist and Nate Diaz protégé will battle Anthony Pettis, once a UFC lightweight titleholder, on the undercard of Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal later this summer.

The event will take place on June 1 at The Forum in Inglewood, California, per ESPN. The bout is contracted for six rounds at 175 pounds.

Pettis, 37, made his pro boxing debut in April 2023, a majority decision victory over boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. The Milwaukee native is coming off a unanimous decision win over fellow former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at Karate Combat in December 2023. Pettis, who last fought in MMA for PFL in 2022, held the UFC lightweight belt from 2013 to 2015.

Avila, 31, is 5-1 as a pro boxer and has had success in the influencer space of the genre. The Stockton, California, native owns boxing wins over MMA fighters Jeremy Stephens and Anthony Taylor, as well as influencers Paul Bamba and Mikhail “Dr. Mike” Varshavski. Avila is a longtime training partner of Diaz’s out of Nick Diaz Academy.

Diaz and Masvidal fought for the UFC’s symbolic BMF in 2019 at New York’s Madison Square Garden, with Masvidal winning via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) due to a Diaz cut. The two have harbored bad blood since before that bout.

Nate Diaz to Fight Jorge Masvidal in 10-Round Boxing Match This June

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Nate Diaz is sidestepping the Octagon for the boxing ring…

In a rematch of a marquee UFC headliner, the 38-year-old half Mexican American mixed martial artist and boxer will fight Jorge Masvidal again, this time in a boxing ring on June 1 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.

The two fought in MMA in the UFC 244 main event on November 2, 2019 at Madison Square Garden, for the mythical BMF title. Masvidal won that bout via TKO (doctor’s stoppage).

Diaz vs. Masvidal is contracted for 10 rounds at 175 pounds.

The event, distributed by Fanmio, will be dubbed “Last Man Standing.” A multicity promotional tour is being planned.

Diaz and Masvidal, two of the UFC’s biggest stars of this era, have since departed the promotion, Diaz as a free agent and Masvidal via retirement.

The UFC approved Masvidal to take this fight, as he is still under contract. Diaz and Masvidal have been involved in three of the top 10 UFC pay-per-view events of all time.

Diaz made his pro boxing debut last August in a decision loss to YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul. Diaz went into that bout with an arm injury.

This will be Masvidal’s return to competition after retiring in April 2023 following a UFC loss to Gilbert Burns.

Masvidal beat Diaz in the fourth round at UFC 244 when the ringside physician halted the bout because of a Diaz cut. That is an impetus for the rematch. There is unfinished business; Masvidal wants to remove all doubt, while Diaz is out for revenge.

“Nate’s a dead man walking,” Masvidal said in a statement. “I can’t wait to prove that last time was no fluke. He got saved by the referee. Now we are boxing, which he says is his forte, but he’s got no shot at beating me. I’m not going to give him an inch in that ring to even breathe. If he thought our MMA match was bad, this is going to be much worse. I’m going to drown him. I want to put away any talk that him and I are the same, or that the referee saved the day. All of that talk ends June 1. Violence and throwing hands are in both of our bloods but as I proved before, I’m a far superior athlete and I’m a meaner fighter. When June 1 comes I’ll put all unanswered questions to rest, live for the world to see.”

Fanmio has distributed big combat sports events before, including Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul in 2021.

“When we started our journey into boxing, we wanted to bring only the most entertaining fights together that would help transcend the world of combat sports,” Solomon Engel, Fanmio CEO, said in a statement. “Being able to put together the Diaz vs. Masvidal rematch in the boxing ring is in line with that vision. These guys are the original and true BMFs, have continuously sold out arenas and sold millions of pay-per-views. June 1 gives each the opportunity to write a new chapter in their storied history, settle their score and show the world who will be the last man standing.”

Jorge Masvidal Reportedly Training for Boxing Match, Planning MMA Return

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Jorge Masvidal is thisclose to coming out of retirement.

The 39-year-old Cuban & Peruvian American former mixed martial artist and boxer has told ESPN that he’s training for a boxing match later this year and plans to fight again in MMA.

“All I could tell you is I’m getting ready for some type of combat and it’s gonna be in the boxing realm,” Masvidal said in an interview this week. “I don’t know this or that or who it’s going to be.”

Masvidal, who announced his retirement in April after a loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, has been teasing on social media a potential boxing match with fellow former UFC star Nate Diaz. The two fought for the inaugural, symbolic BMF title in 2019 with Masvidal winning via TKO due to a Diaz cut.

But Masvidal doesn’t plan on stopping there. He has also expressed interest in fighting Justin Gaethje, the current BMF titleholder, and Colby Covington, Masvidal’s former best friend and now hated rival. Covington defeated Masvidal via unanimous decision in 2022 at UFC 272.

“I think he’s a f—ing great fighter, but I also think I’d whup his motherf—ing ass,” Masvidal said of Gaethje. “I don’t know why. Something about his style. And I like his style because he comes to fight. He’s not coming to f—ing score points. He’s coming to fight and end a motherf—er.”

Masvidal didn’t have as many positive words for Covington — or any. The deeply personal beef between the two was not quashed after they fought. In fact, Masvidal allegedly attacked Covington and punched him outside a steakhouse in Miami Beach in the weeks after the fight. Masvidal was arrested for the offense and took a plea deal in November, pleading guilty to a misdemeanor and getting sentenced to time served.

“[I’d fight him] in the UFC or f—ing in the parking lot of KFC, I don’t f—ing know,” Masvidal said. “But it’s going to f—ing happen, brother. That’s all I know.”

Masvidal has been focusing on being a promoter during his short-lived retirement. His Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA promotion has an event Saturday in Orlando, Florida, headlined by a heavyweight title fight between former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos and former UFC veteran Alan Belcher.

Keyla Monterroso Mejia to Star in Mindy Kaling’s Untitled Comedy Series for Netflix

Posted on February 21, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Keyla Monterroso Mejia is answering the Kal(ing)…

The 25-year-old Guatemalan & Mexican American actress and Curb Your Enthusiasm scene-stealer will star in Mindy Kaling‘s Netflix comedy series, set in the world of pro basketball, lead by Kate Hudson.

Monterroso Mejia is among a roster of cast newcomers that includes Fabrizio Guido, Toby Sandeman, Chet Hanks and Roberto Sanchez, who previously starred in Queen of the South.

In addition to Hudson, they join previously announced cast members Brenda Song, Drew Tarver and.

In the as-yet untitled comedy series, when a scandal forces her brother to resign, Isla Gordon (Hudson) is appointed President of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most storied professional basketball franchises, and her family business. Ambitious and often overlooked, Isla will have to prove to her skeptical brothers, the board, and the larger sports community that she was the right choice for the job, especially in the unpredictable, male-dominated world of sports.

Guido plays Jackie Moreno, a popcorn vendor at the stadium where the Waves play, Jackie can’t believe it when he is suddenly thrust into the inner circle of his favorite team. Now he has the opportunity to work his way up the organization from the ground floor.

Monterroso Mejia plays Ana Moreno, Jackie’s cousin who is also a personal injury attorney. Ana is smart, ambitious and always looking for an angle.

Sanchez is Stephen Ramirez, the intimidating head of the board who’s been with the Waves through generations of Gordons. He’s old-fashioned, no-nonsense, and a constant reminder of the old guard, making Isla desperate to prove she’s more than just Jack Gordon’s little daughter.

The 10-part series is written and executive-produced by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen, who serves as showrunner.

Guido’s television credits include the role of Mikey Gutierrez on Mr. Iglesias, a major recurring role on Perry Mason, as well as Welcome To The Family, The Night Shift and Wisdom of the Crowd.

Monterroso Mejia is perhaps best known for her absurdly hilarious role as Maria Sofia on Curb Your Enthusiasm. Her other credits include the major recurring role of Ashley on Abbott Elementary, as well as On My Block spinoff Freeridge and is in post on Amazon Studios’ Will Ferrell & Reese Witherspoon wedding comedy You’re Cordially Invited.

Sanchez will next be seen in a major recurring role on Starz’s BMF and in Apple TV+’s upcoming Palm Royale. His previous credits include Queen of the South and 2 Fast 2 Furious.

Alex Pereira to Defend His UFC Light Heavyweight Title Against Jamahal Hill at UFC 300

Posted on February 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Alex Pereira is going on the defensive…

The 36-year-old Brazilian mixed martial artist and former kickboxer will defend his UFC light heavyweight title against former champion Jamahal Hill in the UFC 300 headliner on April 13 in Las Vegas, UFC CEO Dana White has announced.

ESPN has Pereira ranked No. 7 on its pound-for-pound list.

Pereira (9-2) is the former UFC middleweight champion, and he was the quickest to win two divisional titles in UFC history (seven fights).

The Brazilian knockout artist stopped Jiri Prochazka via TKO to win the 205-pound belt at UFC 295 in November. Pereira knocked out Israel Adesanya in November 2022 to win the middleweight title before dropping the belt back to Adesanya in April.

Hill (12-1, 1 NC) has been out due to a torn Achilles tendon. He never lost the light heavyweight title but relinquished the belt last summer due to the injury. Hill, a 32-year-old Chicago native, has won four straight, and he beat Glover Teixeira to win the title in January 2023.

Pereira vs. Hill is the third title fight added to the card. Justin Gaethje will put his BMF belt on the line against Max Holloway, and Zhang Weili will defend the UFC women’s strawweight title against Yan Xiaonan.

La La Anthony Upped to Series Regular on Starz’s Drama Series “BMF”

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

There’s much more BMF in La La Anthony’s future…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican television personality, author, businesswoman, producer and actress, who recurred in the first season of Starz’s drama series BMF, has been upped to series regular status for Season 2.

The series hails from executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and writer/executive producer and Detroit native Randy Huggins.

Anthony will reprise her role as Markisha Taylor, who will have an expanded storyline in the second season. Markisha is the smart, sophisticated and street savvy wife of a powerful Detroit dealer. Despite the risk, Terry begins to pursue her relentlessly and they develop a friendship.

Anthony joins returning cast including Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., the son of Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory; Da’Vinchi, Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White, Myles Truitt and Steve Harris. Snoop Dogg, Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight, Wood Harris and Serayah recur in the series.

BMF is inspired by the true story of two brothers who rose from the decaying streets of southwest Detroit in the late 1980’s and gave birth to one of the most influential crime families in this country.

The series is executive produced by Jackson, alongside Huggins. Heather Zuhlke joins as an executive producer on Season 2 with Anthony Wilson and Anne Clements who are both set to return to executive produce.

BMF is produced through Jackson’s G-Unit Film and Television in association with Lionsgate Television for Starz.

Rafael dos Anjos’ Fight Against Rafael Fiziev Moved to UFC 272 in March

Posted on February 12, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rafael dos Anjos’ return is being postponed slightly…

The 37-year-old Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and former UFC lightweight champion will now face off against Rafael Fiziev in the lightweight co-main event of UFC 272 on March 5 in Las Vegas, according to ESPN.

dos Anjos was initially scheduled to take on Fiziev for the UFC Fight Night headliner on February 19 in Las Vegas.

Fiziev reportedly had a visa delay, leading to the change. dos Anjos vs. Fiziev will remain a five-round fight, per sources.

The new UFC Fight Night main event on February 19 will be a five-round light heavyweight bout between Johnny Walker and Jamahal Hill, sources said.

Walker vs. Hill was initially scheduled as the UFC Fight Night co-main event.

dos Anjos (30-13) has not fought since a split-decision win over Paul Felder in November 2020.

The Brazilian-born fighter, who lives in California, moved back to lightweight for that bout after three years at welterweight. dos Anjos had dropped four of five fights against top 170-pound fighters before moving back down to 155, where he was the UFC champ in 2015 and 2016.

Fiziev (11-1) has won five in a row after dropping his UFC debut in 2019. The Kazakhstan-born fighter of Kyrgyzstani descent has won two of his last three fights via knockout, the most recent a third-round spinning wheel kick finish of Brad Riddell in December. Fiziev, 28, is considered one of the top young strikers in MMA.

UFC 272 will be headlined by a welterweight grudge match between former interim welterweight champion Colby Covington and Jorge Masvidal, owner of the mythical BMF title.

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