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| (Image Source: Fightbook MMA/Professional Fighters League) |
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced the PFL Europe Bantamweight fighters and bracket with all four first round fights due to take place at PFL Europe Paris on May 24, 2025 at the Accor Arena. Paris will be the home of PFL Europe’s 2025 Bantamweight opening tournament fights, which will see the continent’s top athletes enter a bracket with one shot to win three bouts across the year to earn the coveted PFL Europe Championship and a cash prize of $100,000. The PFL Europe Bantamweight bracket is as follows:
• Mahio Campanella, France (7-1) vs. Matiss Zaharovs, Latvia (7-3)
Carcassonne’s Mahio Campanella earned his PFL contract at the 2024 PFL Europe Championship event in Lyon last December after scoring a first round submission over Ezzoubair Bouarsa in a Doumbé Decides match-up where Cédric Doumbé handed out contracts to deserving French fighters. He will look to continue his momentum in Paris where he faces Latvia’s Matiss Zaharovs, by way of Ireland. Training out of the famed SBG institute in Dublin, Zaharovs’ seven wins in MMA have all come via finish, with five by KO/TKO and two by submission, and will be looking to pick up momentum following his second round rear naked choke victory at PFL Europe Glasgow last September.
• Dean Garnett, England (12-3-1) vs. Alexander “Schlingel” Luster, Germany (9-2)
Liverpool’s Dean Garnett showed the world his grit in his Fight of the Year contender last September against Lewis McGrillen, and whilst he fell short, he showed no lack of heart to pick himself up from the canvas and drop his opponent multiple times in an awe-inspiring showcase of British MMA. He will return to the SmartCage against Bonn’s Alexander Luster, who burst on the PFL Europe scene last year with two first round rear naked choke submissions in four months, before losing in the 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship fight against the winner, Lewis McGrillen.
• Anas “The Rainmaker” Azizoun, France (5-1) vs. Gustavo “Heart” Oliveira, Portugal (10-2)
Saint-Étienne’s Anas Azizoun is known for his explosive and dynamic striking ability, blending Muay Thai, kickboxing and karate. With a string of exciting finishes, he is fast becoming a rising star in European MMA. He will face a fellow PFL debutant in Lisbon’s Gustavo Oliveira, a prolific finisher with nine out of 10 victories coming by way of KO/TKO or submission. With his signature flair, and habit of taunting his opponents, the Portuguese fighter always makes for an entertaining fight.
• Julien “Boyka” Lopez, France (7-4-1) vs. Jan Ciepłowski, Poland (8-0)
Toulon’s Julien Lopez entered the PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament in 2024 on two days’ notice and won his PFL debut via a first round guillotine choke, showcasing his raw MMA abilities. He is back in 2025 fully prepared to prove he can go all the way and take the title to France. In his way stands Łódź’s undefeated Jan Ciepłowski, at 8-0. Cieplowski’s adaptability makes him an exciting fighter to watch as he seamlessly switches between fight styles. Jan is one of the top Bantamweight prospects in the world and will be one to watch in this tournament.
In 2025, there will be two weight division tournaments represented in PFL Europe, Men’s Lightweight and Men’s Bantamweight, with the 155 lbs tournament due to take place at PFL Europe Belfast on May 10th. PFL Europe Paris will feature a huge Lightweight bout between Paris’ Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui (22-6) and the undefeated Archie “King” Colgan (11-0) in a fight where a standout performance could lead to Lightweight Championship contention. The deep card will also feature PFL debutant Taylor “Double Impact” Lapilus (21-4), fresh off his 6-2 record in the UFC, who will go up against 2024 PFL MENA Bantamweight Champion Ali Taleb (12-1). Also featuring will be Belgian sensation Patrick “The Belgian Bomber” Habirora (6-0) against compatriot Nicolas Di Franco (10-4-1). PFL Europe Paris will be exclusively broadcast in France, UK, and Ireland on DAZN, the home of MMA, boxing, European football, women’s football, and the NFL (excluding USA) which is building the ultimate sports entertainment platform based on premium sports rights, world-leading technology, and multi-platform distribution.
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PFL Announces Dates And Locations For 2025 World Tournament Finals
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| (Image Source: Professional Fighters League) |
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has officially announced the dates and locations for the Championship bouts of the 2025 PFL World Tournament. Following the Semifinals on June, the action culminates as the single-elimination tournament concludes with the PFL World Tournament Championship bouts on August with events in Atlantic City, New Jersey; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Hollywood, Florida.
The Finals will kick off on August 1, 2025 at the iconic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, hosting the Welterweight and Featherweight World Tournament Championship bouts. On August 15th, PFL makes its debut in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Bojangles Coliseum for the Women’s Flyweight and Men’s Bantamweight World Tournament Championship bouts. The 2025 PFL World Tournament Finals will then conclude on August 21st at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Hollywood, Florida. This massive event features World Tournament Championship matchups across the Lightweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, and Heavyweight divisions. The 2025 PFL World Tournament airs live on ESPN platforms in the U.S., Canada and across Europe. On the other hand, fans can catch the action live on DAZN while the tournament will be streamed globally in 190 countries through 20 premium media partners including Setanta Sports in the Philippines.
The action kicked off last April 3rd with the First Round taking place at Universal Studios Florida and will continue on April 11, April 18, and May 1. The annual single-elimination tournament will feature brackets at Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight, and Women’s Flyweight. The PFL World Tournament spans an action packed five months. 64 of the best fighters from around the world will compete to win MMA’s toughest test - win three straight times in five months to become PFL Tournament Champion. The First Round fights and the Semifinal fights will be three, five-minute rounds while the Finals are five, five-minute rounds. All events and all fights now allow the use of elbows. The PFL World Tournament will payout over $20M (20 million dollars) in total prize money including a $500,000 bonus for every winner.
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Off The Hook Boxing Series Launches Under Visionary Leadership Of Dean Toole
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| (Image Source: Fightbook MMA/Island Fights) |
A new era in professional boxing begins with the launch of Off The Hook Boxing Series under the leadership of combat sports executive Dean Toole who is currently the CEO of Gamebred Bare Knuckle MMA and Gamebred Boxing and the founder of Island Fights. The inaugural event is slated to be held on May 3, 2025 at the Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Mississippi, USA, signaling the start of an ambitious venture to reshape professional boxing.
Island Fights, a powerhouse in the combat sports world since 2010, has delivered 88 events known for their hybrid MMA and boxing cards. With the organization's rapid growth, Toole recognized the need to separate the two sports at the professional level to maximize opportunities for fighters. He explained, “We have so many talented boxers and MMA competitors. If we have 12 pro fights and split the card down the middle, we'd only get 6 MMA and 6 boxing matches which limits opportunities for more athletes to compete. This move ensures more MMA fights for Island Fights and more boxing matches for Off The Hook, opening doors for more fighters.” Island Fights’ amateur events will continue to feature a mix of all disciplines. Off The Hook Boxing Series will focus exclusively on professional boxing, delivering consistent and active events nationwide. Toole’s vision is to build fighters from the ground up into world champions, addressing a critical gap in the sport. “Even at the highest level, there just isn't a consistent event providing real opportunities for fighters early in their careers. Too often, these athletes lack an outlet to compete and stay active. We're here to change that. We believe some of the greatest fighters on earth don't exist because they never had the chance. Off The Hook will give them that shot,” said Toole.
The promotion has big plans, targeting 4-5 events by the end of 2025 and aiming to scale up to 12-24 events annually. Toole and his team are already in talks with several casinos and venues across various cities and states about bringing this vision to life. Toole added, “We want to build an amazing roster and create opportunities for boxers that haven't been there before.” Toole added. More information on Off The Cook's debut event can be seen on www.offthehookbx.com. As the promotion kicks off its ambitious journey, fans can expect an electrifying night of boxing.
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BRAVE CF Makes Historic Debut In Switzerland With BRAVE CF 94
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| (Image Source: Fightbook MMA/BRAVE Combat Federation) |
BRAVE Combat Federation continues its conquest of redefining the landscape of global MMA (mixed martial arts) with its upcoming event, BRAVE CF 94 in association with WNC, set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland on May 17, 2025. This historic night will not only feature a Heavyweight Championship clash in the main event but also a thrilling Featherweight co-main event, further solidifying BRAVE CF’s reputation as the premier global MMA promotion.
The BRAVE CF Heavyweight division will be on the line as Pavel Dailidko (9-2-0) of Lithuania faces the undefeated Odie Delaney (5-0-0) from the United States. Dailidko, a powerhouse with an iron chin and devastating knockout power, has been a dominant force in the division, stopping some of the best heavyweights in Europe. On the other hand, Delaney, a former NCAA wrestling standout, brings a relentless grappling pedigree combined with ever-improving striking. This fight is set to be a true clash of styles featuring Dailidko’s striking prowess against Delaney’s world-class grappling. The winner will etch his name into BRAVE CF history as the undisputed Heavyweight Champion. Adding to the excitement of BRAVE CF 94, Damien Lapilus (18-17-2) of France will battle Victor Hugo (25-5-0) of Brazil in a highly anticipated Featherweight bout. Lapilus, a veteran of European MMA, has consistently showcased elite-level striking and resilience, making him a fan favorite. His opponent, Victor Hugo, represents the new wave of Brazilian MMA, boasting a lethal ground game with an ability to finish fights in the blink of an eye.
BRAVE CF 94 is more than just a fight card, it is a milestone in BRAVE Combat Federation’s global expansion strategy. By making its Swiss debut, BRAVE CF will become the first-ever global MMA promotion to host an event in 36 different nations, further strengthening its legacy as the world’s most global MMA organization. Switzerland now joins the likes of Northern Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, and Slovenia as part of BRAVE CF’s European footprint. This marks a significant achievement in the organization’s quest to make MMA a truly global sport with Europe playing a pivotal role due to its deep talent pool, passionate fanbase, and rich combat sports culture. This event is a crucial part of BRAVE CF’s “Year of the BRAVE” campaign, a global initiative aimed at showcasing top-tier MMA talent across multiple continents. With Geneva as the backdrop, BRAVE CF 94 will bring together Swiss talent and international superstars, ensuring a blend of local representation and world-class competition.
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IMMAF Officially Recognized IBCA As New Indonesian MMA Federation
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| (Image Source: International Mixed Martial Arts Federation) |
The International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) is pleased to announce the successful application of a new Indonesian MMA federation, marking a significant step forward in the development of amateur MMA in the country. Since 2019, the Indonesia Committee for Martial Art Sports, known as Komite Olahraga Beladiri Indonesia (KOBI), has been the official IMMAF member in Indonesia. KOBI has played a key role in establishing and promoting the sport of MMA in the country, ensuring adherence to international standards of sports governance. However, with the rapid expansion of MMA in Indonesia, a need emerged for a dedicated organization to focus solely on amateur athlete development.
Recognizing this necessity, KOBI has agreed to collaborate with Indonesia Beladiri Campuran Amatir (IBCA), also known as Indonesia Mixed Martial Arts Amateur Indonesia. This agreement, formalized on November 30, 2023, allows IBCA to take on the responsibility of developing amateur MMA talent while KOBI continues to operate as a private promoter within the professional MMA space. This strategic partnership is designed to cultivate a new generation of skilled and professional amateur MMA athletes in Indonesia, preparing them for success at both national and international levels. By establishing a clear pathway for amateur fighters, IBCA aims to strengthen Indonesia’s presence in the global MMA community and elevate the standard of competition within the country.
IBCA General Secretary Maraden Lumbantoruan had the following to say: “On behalf of Mr. Made Susila Adnyana, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to President Mr. Kerrith Brown of IMMAF for welcoming IBCA as a member of IMMAF. We promise to do our best in developing IMMAF in Indonesia and to comply with all IMMAF organizational regulations in our country.” IMMAF welcomes this collaborative effort and remains committed to supporting the growth of amateur MMA in Indonesia. With IBCA now leading the charge in athlete development, Indonesia is well-positioned to become a major force in the world of amateur MMA.
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Exclusive Two-Day Tournament Set For Grand Opening Of Vineyard Golf Club In Tanauan City, Batangas
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Vineyard Golf Club) |
A new era of luxury golf is set to unfold with the grand opening of Vineyard Golf Club, an 18-hole, fully lit golf course designed for an unparalleled golfing experience — both day and night. Nestled within the prestigious Luxury Vineyard at Tanauan Resort, the course boasts breathtaking views of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano, providing a scenic and challenging setting for golfers of all levels. Vineyard Golf Club is a par-3 course unlike any other, featuring hilly terrains, sloping fairways, and signature island greens that demand precision and strategy. With holes ranging in distance, the longest stretching 195 yards, players can expect a test of skill and accuracy on every swing.
To commemorate its highly anticipated launch, Vineyard Golf Club is hosting a two-day grand opening event:
• April 26, 2025 – Celebrity Invitational Game: A star-studded gathering where invited celebrities and VIPs will tee off for a friendly competition, experiencing the course’s stunning sunset views and immersive night golf under the lights.
• April 27, 2025 – Exclusive Member & Guest Tournament: An elegant affair for members and their guests, offering a first-hand look at the club’s world-class amenities, followed by an evening of night golf, fine dining, and entertainment.
Vineyard Golf Club redefines the golfing experience by combining the beauty of nature, luxury, and modern course design. As one of the few fully lit courses in the country, it offers the flexibility of twilight and night golf, allowing golfers to play beyond daylight hours in an enchanting setting.
