KEARNEY, Nebraska — Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) announced this morning that it will televise RFA 3 – Stevenson vs. Cochrane LIVE via FIGHT NOW TV (www.fightnow.com), which is a 24-hour television channel partly owned by MMA legend and UFC Hall of Fame member Randy Couture. The event will also be available online through its Ustream channel at: www.ustream.tv/channel/fight-now-tv#events. The professional MMA event is set to take place on Saturday, June 30th, 2012 at the Viaero Event Center in Kearney, Nebraska.
Fresh off its successful debut event in December featuring Jens Pulver vs. Tim Elliott as the headliner and its sophomore show in March with Gilbert Yvel vs. Houston Alexander as the main event, RFA’s third effort features an action-packed, star filled lineup, which will be available via FIGHT NOW TV beginning at 8:30 p.m. CT / 6:30 p.m. PT on the evening of Saturday, June 30th.
"This deal with FIGHT NOW TV is significant in demonstrating the growth plans we have for RFA," said Wayne Harriman, President of Resurrection Fighting Alliance.
"FIGHT NOW TV’s team is dedicated to seeing regional promotions, such as RFA, be showcased across the country and around the world live and we are very excited to be working with them," he added.
RFA 3 – Stevenson vs. Cochrane will be headlined by an action-packed lightweight battle between one of MMA’s most experienced fighters and one of the sport’s fastest rising prospects. Former UFC #1 contender and The Ultimate Fighter 2 champion Joe "Daddy" Stevenson returns to the cage for the first time in 12 months to square off with hometown favorite and two-time RFA veteran Dakota Cochrane.
MMA pioneer and former UFC heavyweight champion Maurice "Mo" Smith at age 50 will return to the RFA and the light-heavyweight division fresh off of his highlight reel Head Kick KO win at RFA 2. He will battle a man nearly half his age in TUF 8 alum and Oklahoma native Ryan "The Hunter" Lopez.
In an explosive welterweight showdown, fans will get to see two strikers who are looking to start the 4th of July fireworks 4 days early this year. Chidi "Chidi Bang Bang" Njokuani will bring in the same feared striking ability of his older brother and UFC star Anthony Njokuani, while Bobby "Super Duper" Cooper will look to show off his well-rounded skills, toughness, and willingness to trade with anyone at 170-pounds.
In lightweight action, 2011 NCAA Division I wrestling national champion Bubba Jenkins will make his RFA debut against decorated amateur boxer turned MMA fighter Jesus Adame. At featherweight, promising Colorado native and Factory X Muay Thai product "Lightning" Nick Macias will be making his promotional debut. He will face a man fighting in his 50th professional MMA bout in local Nebraska favorite Sean "P-Town" Wilson.
Local hero and 2012 NCAA Division II wrestling national champion T.J. "Carnivore" Hepburn, who hails from the hometown University of Nebraska-Kearney, will make his long-awaited professional MMA debut in the lightweight division. He will meet Oklahoma native Jeremy Mier, who is also fighting professionally for the first time.
Also making his professional MMA debut at heavyweight will be Carl Postma. The Las Vegas, Nevada native is turning pro after defending his Tuff-N-Uff heavyweight title in 34 seconds and improving to 3-0 as an amateur in April. He will face Colorado native Anthony Alirez, who made his pro debut and fought a total of three times last year. Alirez won 2 of those 3 bouts with none of them lasting longer than 96 seconds.
The main card will also feature the return of three other RFA fan favorites. James Krause, who participated on TUF 15 in March, returns to the RFA to fight TUF 12 alum Amir Khillah in a 165-pound catchweight bout. RFA 1 standout Mark Dickman returns with his flawless 5-0 record to face TUF 15 alum Jordan Rinaldi in a 150-pound catchweight bout. Rinaldi also brings in an identical 5-0 record. Two-time RFA veteran Aaron Ely will also make his flyweight debut against the undefeated Wyoming native Matt Manzanares.
RFA 3 – Stevenson vs. Cochrane
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Viaero Event Center
Kearney, Nebraska, USA
Professional Card:
-Joe Stevenson (31-14, UFC vet, TUF 2 champ) vs. Dakota Cochrane (11-3, TUF 15 alum): Lightweight Bout
-Maurice Smith (14-13, UFC heavyweight champ) vs. Ryan Lopez (15-12, TUF 8 alum): Light-Heavyweight Bout
-Chidi Njokuani (7-3) vs. Bobby Cooper (6-2): Welterweight Bout
-Bubba Jenkins (2-0, NCAA D-1 wrestling champ) vs. Jesus Adame (4-1, decorated amateur boxer): Lightweight Bout
-James Krause (15-4, TUF 15 alum, WEC vet) vs. Amir Khillah (10-4, TUF 12 alum): 165-pound Catchweight Bout
-Mark Dickman (5-0, NAIA wrestling champ) vs. Jordan Rinaldi (5-0, TUF 15 alum): 150-pound Catchweight Bout
-Nick Macias (5-2) vs. Sean Wilson (32-17): Featherweight Bout
-Aaron Ely (3-1) vs. Matt Manzanares (5-0): Flyweight Bout
-T.J. Hepburn (0-0, NCAA D-2 wrestling champ) vs. Jeremy Mier (0-0): Lightweight Bout
-Carl Postma (0-0, Tuff-N-Uff amateur champ) vs. Anthony Alirez (2-1): Heavyweight Bout
Amateur Card:
-Julian Marquez (5-2) vs. Tony Rodriguez (4-0-1): 220-pound Catchweight Bout
-Duane Johnson (5-1) vs. Jesus Sandoval (2-1-1): 180-pound Catchweight Bout
-Erin Smith (1-0) vs. LaNita Jackson (0-2): Women’s Lightweight Bout
-James Donahue (1-0) vs. Brandon Neujahr-Gomez (0-0): Middleweight Bout
About RFA:
Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) was founded in 2011 and includes a number of prominent businessmen, fight promoters, matchmakers, and others with successful careers in hosting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) shows across the United States. To learn more or to inquire about ticket information, please visit the RFA website at www.RFAfighting.com. You can also like RFA on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RFAfighting) and follow RFA on Twitter (www.twitter.com/RFAfighting).
About FIGHT NOW TV:
America’s first 24-hour television channel dedicated to giving viewers a front row seat, seven days a week to experience the very best in boxing, wrestling/grappling, mixed martial arts, and other combatant styles along with top-notch "fight theme" movies, documentaries, and wrap around news coverage making Fight Now! TV™ the Undisputed TV destination for fight fans!
