Brandon Moreno Defeats Kai Kara-France to Claim UFC’s Interim 125-Pound Title

Posted on July 31, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Brandon Moreno is a UFC champion once again…

The 28-year-old Mexican professional mixed martial artist (20-6-2) claimed the interim 125-pound title in thrilling fashion on Saturday, as he finished Kai Kara-France in the third round with a nasty left body kick followed by ground and pound. The TKO came at 4 minutes, 34 seconds.

The title fight co-headlined UFC 277 from inside American Airlines Arena. Figueiredo, the defending unified champion and a longtime rival of Moreno’s, was in attendance cageside.

UFC originally wanted Figueiredo to defend his title against Moreno this summer, but Figueiredo was unavailable due to injury. The Brazilian champion entered the Octagon after Moreno’s win and asked to do it in Brazil.

“This guy right here, tonight is his night and he is the champion,” Figueiredo said through an interpreter. “I have a lot of respect for him. … I want to take this fight home to Brazil.”

Moreno, of Tijuana, quickly accepted the invitation. He also apologized to Figueiredo for any bad blood between them in the past. The two have had a heated rivalry, mostly from Figueiredo’s side, since 2020. Moreno challenged Figueiredo for the belt in December 2020 and fought him to a majority draw. He then beat Figueiredo by submission in an immediate rematch before losing a controversial decision in their third fight in January.

“I don’t hate you. I don’t feel nothing against you. I forgive you,” Moreno told Figueiredo. “Please forgive me if I did something bad against you. I want to fight in December.”

Saturday’s fight was Moreno’s first since he left his original training camp in Mexico and joined forces with veteran MMA coach James Krause in Missouri. It proved to be one of the most impressive performances of his career. He already held a prior decision win over Kara-France (24-10) from 2019, and the rematch was similar in that Moreno simply had more tools than the challenger from New Zealand.

He attacked Kara-France with leg kicks, jabs and right hands. He looked for the takedown when the opportunity came but didn’t force it.

However, Kara-France, 29, was certainly competitive until the finish. He relied mostly on leg kicks as his primary offense and had success with it. Moreno’s lead leg was very red from kicks early on. In the third round, Kara-France did his best work after he caught a Moreno kick and dumped him to the floor. He landed a hard elbow from top position that opened a cut under Moreno’s right eye.

Just when it appeared Kara-France had seized momentum, however, Moreno caught him with a spinning back fist and then the body kick that put him down. Kara-France immediately rolled over and covered up, which brought in a quick stoppage from referee Herb Dean, as Moreno swarmed on him with hammerfists.

Moreno, who was cut from UFC in 2018, now holds a 4-1-2 record since re-signing in 2019.

Jennifer Lopez to Perform at This Year’s iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopezis ready to fiesta-jar…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has been confirmed as a performer at the 2019 iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina.

Lopez joins an all-star roster that includes Daddy Yankee and Ozuna, with more artists to be announced in the coming weeks.

The concert will take place at American Airlines Arenain Miami on November 2.

This year, the annual event will celebrate its sixth consecutive show with a video stream on LiveXLive.com and will also broadcast live on iHeartMedia’s Latin stations nationwide.

The event will be hosted by Enrique Santos, chairman and chief creative officer for iHeartLatino.

“Every year we proudly host some of the most influential artists in Latin Music and this year will be no different,” Santos said in a press release announcing the event.

Tickets for the show go on sale to the general public on Friday at noon ET via Ticketmaster.com.

Bad Bunny to Be a Headling Act at This Year’s ¡Viva Latino! in Miami

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny will be viva-ing it up this summer…

The 25-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer will be one of the headlining acts at ¡Viva Latino! on August 30.

The concert event is being by the American Airlines Arena in Miami and Spotify.

Bad Bunny’s co-headliner at this year’s ¡Viva Latino! will be Nicky Jam.

More artists will be announced soon.

“When Spotify approached me to be part of the first ¡Viva Latino! Live last year I was truly honored,” says Bad Bunny on a press statement. “To once again be a part of this mega experience is truly incredible. This year we are going to be on a whole other level.”

The idea of the concert series was born originally from the third most followed playlist on the streaming music platform, ¡Viva Latino! Playlist.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 14.

Anitta to Perform at This Year’s Premio Lo Nuestro Awards Show

Posted on February 14, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Anittais readying for a high-profile performance…

The 25-year-old Brazilian singer, a four-time nominee in 2019, is set to perform at this year’s Premio Lo Nuestro awards show.

The “Veneno” singer and New Artist of the Yearcontender joins a roster of new additions that includes JBalvin, Yandel, Juanes, Maná, Pepe Aguilar, Joss Favela, Nacho, and Zion y Lennox.

Anitta previously took the stage alongside J Balvin at least year’s how, giving a sizzling performance of their hit collaboration “Downtown.”

Marc Anthony, Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha, Anuel AA and Ozuna, Thalia, Lele Pons, Fuego, Prince Royce, Farruko, Piso 21, Intocable, De La Ghetto, Pedro Capó, Reik, Christian Nodal, Lali and Silvestre Dangondare also confirmed to perform at the annual ceremony.

The awards will be hosted by Maite Perroni, Alejandra Espinoza and salsa singer, Victor Manuelle.

The 31st edition of Premio Lo Nuestro will air on Univisionon Thursday, February 21, live from American Airlines Arenain Miami starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Bad Bunny Returning to the U.S. for 14 City Tour

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is hitting the American road again…

The 24-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has announced his 2019 tour dates, with a return to the Unites States on the docket.

Kicking off at Santander Arena in Reading, Pennsylvania, on March 14, Bad Bunny will perform in 14 shows, including such legendary arenas as Madison Square Garden in New York and the Tacoma Dome in Washington State.

The tour is being promoted by Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN).

Ticket sales will start on Friday, December 21.

This year, Bad Bunny visited the U.S. with his La Nueva Religión tour with most dates selling out, including his stops at the American Airlines Arena in Miami and The Forum in Los Angeles.

Maluma Bringing His F.A.M.E. Tour to the U.S. Early Next Year

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Maluma is bringing his FAME to American audiences…

The 23-year-old Colombian singer is going on the road again.

Maluma announced a set of new live dates on Tuesday afternoon (November 14) for his U.S. tour, called F.A.M.E.

The tour kicks off on March 23rd in Washington, D.C., and will make stops in more than 21 cities throughout the country, including the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Madison Square Garden in New York and The Forum in Los Angeles.

“I couldn’t be more excited to announce my return to the United States on tour, exactly one year after announcing my first-ever US tour — and so much has happened since!,” said Maluma. “The best part for US fans is that I will be coming with an entirely brand new show.”

Maluma also announced his forthcoming album F.A.M.E., to be released in early 2018.

Maluma is one of the top nominees for the 2017 Latin Grammy awards, including for record of the year and song of the year.

Maluma’s F.A.M.E. tour tickets will go on sale on Friday, November 17 on Ticketmaster.

The U.S. leg of the tour is being produced by Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN).

Ricky Martin to Perform at This Year’s iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina: Celebrating Our Heroes Concert

Posted on October 26, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Ricky Martin is honoring our unsung heroes… and, being honored in return…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican superstar has joined the lineup for the 2017 iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina: Celebrating Our Heroes, hosted by Enrique Santos and Telemundo’s Jessica Carillo, taking place on Saturday, November 4.

Martin joins a roster that includes Luis Fonsi and Diplo, Nacho, Gente De Zona, Don Omar, CNCO, Reik, Jesse y Joy, Camila Cabello and Pepe Aguilar.

Telemundo will air this year’s event live from the American Airlines Arena, as a four-hour television special, which will include special tributes to first responders and communities impacted by the natural disasters in Texas, Florida, Mexico, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean nations like Barbuda and Dominica.

The event will also provide information on how attendees and viewers can support the local communities directly impacted by those events.

The iHeartRadio family will also present Ricky Martin with the second annual iHeartRadio Premio Corazon Latino award, which honors an individual for “their selfless work in enhancing the lives, heritage and future of the Latin community.” Martin is being feted for his efforts in providing relief and support to his native Puerto Rico, following hurricanes Irma and Maria, through the Ricky Martin Foundation.

Fans can watch the festivities live at 8:00 pm.EST across iHeartRadio’s Spanish-Pop,Tropical, regional Mexican and Spanish Adult Hit radio stations, or livestream it on iHeartRadio’s Official YouTube channel.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit here.

Olga Tañon to Receive Legacy Award at the Premios Tu Mundo Awards

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Olga Tañon’s legacy is being celebrated…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican singer will be honored with the Jenni Rivera Legacy Award at the sixth edition of the Premios Tu Mundo, according to Telemundo.

Tañon, a multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, is being recognized for her more than 25 years in music, as well as her philanthropic achievements.

Tañon has used her voice to seek change, serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and lending her talent for charitable causes including benefit songs, “Somos El Mundo,” “El Ultimo Ádios” and “Nuestro Himno.”

On the Billboard charts, Tañon holds the record for most top 10 hits (27 to be exact) for a female artist on the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart.

But Tañon won’t be the night’s only honoree…

The legendary Panamanian-born Spanish singer Miguel Bosé will receive the El Poder en Ti award to honor his “unlimited fame power” that helps thousands of people through different non profit organizations worldwide, such as Fundacion Patrimonio Indigena MX (of which he is president), his Gala SIDA fundraising event in Spain and the Latin Grammy Cultural Foundation to fund a full $200,000 scholarship to a Berklee College of Music student pursuing a career in Latin music.

Telemundo will honor TV host Maria Celeste Arraras with the Estrella de Tu Mundo Award in celebration of her 15 years hosting the news show Al Rojo Vivo.

This year, boy band CNCO leads the nominations for the Premios Tu Mundo awards, that will be broadcast live on August 24, 2017 at 8:00 pm.ET from the American Airlines Arena in Miami.

Dangond to Perform at SBS’ LaMúsica’s First-Ever Aplauso Concert Series

Posted on October 22, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Silvestre Dangond is ready for a big applause…

The 36-year-old Colombian Vallenato singer is set to headline SBS‘ LaMúsica‘s first edition of their concert series, titled Aplauso.

Dangond joins an all-star lineup that includes Reik, Juanes, Marco Antonio Solís, Ricardo Montaner and Jencarlos.

The event will take place at Miami’s iconic American Airlines Arena on December 9, and will be presented by LaMúsica, Zeta 92.3 and Felix Cabrera Productions.

“For SBS Miami, it is an honor to present ‘Aplauso 2016’ with your favorite artists of our time,” Jesús Salas, EVP of Programming and Multi Platform Coordinator at SBS Radio, said in a statement. “SBS Miami is very clear in its objective, we always provide the most innovative entertainment for the enjoyment of our Latino community. Our exquisiteness always accompanies us at our top events, always relevant in South Florida. It is our way to thank our listeners for the infinite support they have given us during 2016.”

News of the launch comes a week after LaMúsica and Mega 97.9 announced the star-studded lineup for their upcoming Mega Bash concert taking place in New Jersey on Dec. 2.

Juanes, Dangond and Jencarlos will also be performing at the Mega Bash, along with Latin stars like Ricky Martin, Wisin and Enrique Iglesias.

Tickets for Aplauso are already available for purchase.

Daddy Yankee Takes Home Three Awards at Telemundo’s 2016 Premios Tu Mundo

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Tom Castaneda

Daddy Yankee is celebrating Mundo madness…

The 39-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, actor and record producer proved to be the big winner at Telemundo‘s 2016 Premios Tu Mundo, which kicked off with a high energy performance by the “Gasolina” singer.

The fifth edition of the annual awards show broadcast live from the American Airlines Arena in Miami, where the fan-voted awards recognized pop culture stars, mainly focusing on television, music and social media.

Daddy Yankee took home three trophies, including Favorite Urban Artist and Favorite Party-Starter Song for his collaboration with Chino & Nacho, “Andas en mi Cabeza.”

Rafael Amaya, meantime, was the big winner in the acting categories. The 39-year-old Mexican actor took home the awards for Favorite Male Protagonist in a Super Series, Favorite Protagonist with Bad Luck and Perfect Couple in a Super Series alongside his El Señor de los Cielos costar Fernanda Castillo.

Other winners include Gloria Trevi, Gaby Espino and Adamari Lopez.

Norteño band Intocable took home the special award of the night “El poder en ti (The Power In You)” for their charitable work.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Favorite Super Series: El Señor de los Cielos IV
Favorite Novela or Series: Bajo El Mismo Cielo
Favorite Female Protagonist in a Super Series: Fernanda Castillo
Favorite Actress in a Super Series: Sabrina Seara
Favorite Actress in a Novela or Series: Carolina Gaitan
Favorite Female Protagonist in a Novela: Danna Paola
Favorite Male Protagonist in a Super Series: Rafael Amaya
Favorite Male Protagonist in a Novela: Gabriel Porras
Favorite Protagonist with Bad Luck: Rafael Amaya
Favorite Daily Show: Caso Cerrado
Favorite Weekend Show: ¡Que Noche! With Angelica and Raul
Favorite Specials or Realities Host: Gaby Espino
Favorite Entertainment Host: Adamari Lopez
Favorite Regional Mexican Artist: Calibre 50
Favorite Pop Artist: Gloria Trevi
Favorite Tropical Artist: Chino & Nacho
Favorite Urban Artist: Daddy Yankee
Favorite Party-Starter Song: “Andas en mi Cabeza” by Chino & Nacho feat. Daddy Yankee
Sexiest Female Villian in a Super Series: Maricela Gonzalez
Sexiest Female Villian in a Novela or Series: Erika de la Rosa
Sexiest Male Villian in a Super Series: Rodrigo Guirao
Sexiest Male Villian in a Novela or Series: Luis Ernesto Franco
Favorite Actor in a Super Series: Lincoln Palomeque
Favorite Actor in a Novela or Series: Alejandro Speitzer
Perfect Couple in a Novela or Series: Danna Paola and Eugenio Siller
Perfect Couple in a Super Series: Fernanda Castillo and Rafael Amaya
Revelation of the Year: Gala Montes
Fan Club of the Year: #DYArmy
Favorite Influencer: Caeli
“I’m Sexy and I Know It”: Gaby Espino

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