
The University of Mixed Martial Arts (aka “The U”) is a Los Angeles-based fight promotion specializing in exciting, high-octane, upscale amateur MMA events around the Southern California region. Its mandate is to provide a stage for young, aspiring fighters to hone their MMA skills and develop themselves as marketable personalities and respectable ambassadors of the sport.
With just less than a month to go, the University of MMA has organized a 14-match fight card for the third Fight Night event, which takes place on Sunday, August 25 at Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE.
Tickets are now on sale at www.UofMMA.com and www.axs.com.
‘University of MMA: Fight Night 3’ will be headlined by two title matches, at lightweight and welterweight, respectively. AJ Lavarias (Systems Training Center) will face Julian Johnson (Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA Gym) for the University of MMA lightweight championship. Lavarias earned his chance at championship gold at ‘Fight Night 2’ in May, winning a closely-contested fight over, ironically, one of Johnson’s teammates. Given this, Johnson’s motivation is powered not just by the chance to wrest kingship in the 155 lb. division, but also in the name of team redemption.
At welterweight, recently-crowned champion Jarett ‘Real Talk’ Conner (Upland MMA) returns to defend his belt against fast-rising upstart Roman ‘The Gladiator’ Todorovich (Elite Training Center). Conner made an unforgettable debut at ‘Fight Night 2’ in May, claiming the then-vacant University of MMA welterweight championship in a three-round wrestling clinic that showcased numerous highlight reel suplexes. Todorovich himself boasts a perfect 2-0 record at the U, with one submission and TKO finish each against notable competition.
Fan favorite Yumi Matsumoto (Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA Gym) will be returning to the U against Jessica Pryor (UFC Gym Rosemead). Matsumoto made an auspicious debut in March at the first U of MMA ‘Fight Night,’ blitzing her opponent for three rounds with striking flurries and clinchwork. For both their efforts, the bout won Fight of the Night honors on the U of MMA’s Dean’s List.
Ryan Lilley (Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA Gym) and Dhelzett Boites (Systems Training Center) are already tapped by some in the know as a strong Fight of the Night candidate. Both men have a celebrated reputation for bringing explosive action to any event, such that their collision course on August 25th is expected to be a high water mark not just for the U of MMA, but for each fighter’s amateur career as well.
Other scheduled undercard matches (in no specific order) include:
185 lbs. – Behrang Bejoo (Total MMA) vs. Kenneth Glover (IMAC)
155 lbs. – Jacobe Powell (Bas Rutten’s Elite MMA) vs. Rich LeRoy (Sityodtong LA)
205 lbs. – Joshua Neal (Bowman’s Dojo) vs. Bruno Casillas (Valhalla ETC)
135 lbs. – Demar George (UFC Gym Torrance) vs. Vince Cachero (Systems Training Center)
155 lbs. – Tommy Edwards (Elite Training Center) vs. Dellwuan Macon (NZT Pankration)
155 lbs. – Derion Chapman (House of Champions) vs. Mike Martinez (Robot
Fight & Fitness)
155 lbs. – Pious Enilolobo (Big John McCarthy’s Ultimate Training Academy) vs. Ricardo Robles (NZT Pankration)
170 lbs. – Shohei Yamamoto (CSW) vs. Danny Pena (Gracie Barra Baldwin Park)
265 lbs. – Alejandro Gudino (Bowman’s Dojo) vs. Mike Quintero (Sityodtong LA)
The University of MMA: Fight Night 3 takes place at 4:00pm on Sunday, August 25th, 2013, at Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE, 800 West Olympic Boulevard. Doors open at 3:00pm. Tickets are now available and can be purchased through www.UofMMA.com and www.AXS.com, charge by phone at 888-9AXS-TIX or 888-929-7849, and from 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, Mon-Fri at the STAPLES Center Box Office located at 1111 S. Figueroa St. Applicable fees may apply. The Club Nokia box office will open at 2:00pm the day of the event.