3 Reasons to Watch KTFO 15
3 Reasons to Watch KTFO 15
KTFO 15 brings a piece of MMA history to FloCombat’s event hub Friday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. CDT.
KTFO brings a piece of MMA history to FloCombat’s event hub Friday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. CDT with KTFO 15.
The 10-fight card from Westbury, New York, marks the first fully legal MMA event in New York state history, and KTFO stacked the deck to make sure it goes off with a bang.
If you aren’t in the Long Island area to attend, here are three reasons to tune in to KTFO 15, streaming live and only on FloCombat.
History Made in the Empire State
KTFO 15 marks the beginning of a new era in New York combat sports. For years, professional MMA in the state was banned, and amateur fights were forced to run without the aid of an athletic commision.
But on Saturday, all of that changes with KTFO 15. Approved by the New York State Athletic Commision, the USMTA will be the sanctioning body for this event.
Although KTFO has put on events in New York in the past, this Friday will be the first time the promotion has had the support from the state government.
In April, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law, making New York the final state in the country to legalize the sport.
The UFC won’t make its grand entrance into the state at Madison Square Garden until November, and it owes a lot to regional promotions like KTFO for keeping MMA’s pulse beating in a state that blacklisted the sport.
To see this monumental event, tune in to FloCombat Friday night.
Three Gold Straps on the Line
For its groundbreaking event, KTFO put together some top-notch matchups, featuring six of the city’s best fighters.
An amateur title often indicates that a fighter is ready to make the jump to the professional level, and KTFO 15 features three championship fights on the card.
In the main event, the 155-pound title is on the line. It’s a battle between east and west Long Island, as Paul Thimote (2-1) of LionSport takes on East West MMA’s Ryan Castro (4-3).
The co-main features pits two undefeated fighters against each other for the bantamweight belt. Brooklyn’s Irvin Averbukh (2-0) fights Mike Martinez (2-0), who’s dropping down to 135 pounds for the first time.
Finally in a super fight for the KTFO 170-pound belt, current champion Jude Paulemon (5-1) takes on CFFC amateur middleweight champion Matt Roman (4-1).
Never Go Against the Family
If you look through the fight card for KTFO 15, John Gotti’s name might seem familiar.
That’s because Gotti (3-1), who’s fighting Ruslan Volinchii (1-1) Friday night, shares his name with his famous grandfather, whose life and story is being portrayed by John Travolta in an upcoming film.
Now, however, it’s the “Teflon Don’s” grandson who is trying to make a name for himself and his family in the world of MMA.
Gotti began his MMA career in 2014, and his bout against Volinchii already has some heat, as their original date to dance was canceled back in June.
Will Gotti live up to his family name or will Volinchii spoil his quest for MMA greatness? Fire up your FloPRO accounts Friday night to find out.
By Evan Murach
The 10-fight card from Westbury, New York, marks the first fully legal MMA event in New York state history, and KTFO stacked the deck to make sure it goes off with a bang.
If you aren’t in the Long Island area to attend, here are three reasons to tune in to KTFO 15, streaming live and only on FloCombat.
History Made in the Empire State
KTFO 15 marks the beginning of a new era in New York combat sports. For years, professional MMA in the state was banned, and amateur fights were forced to run without the aid of an athletic commision.
But on Saturday, all of that changes with KTFO 15. Approved by the New York State Athletic Commision, the USMTA will be the sanctioning body for this event.
Although KTFO has put on events in New York in the past, this Friday will be the first time the promotion has had the support from the state government.
In April, Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law, making New York the final state in the country to legalize the sport.
The UFC won’t make its grand entrance into the state at Madison Square Garden until November, and it owes a lot to regional promotions like KTFO for keeping MMA’s pulse beating in a state that blacklisted the sport.
To see this monumental event, tune in to FloCombat Friday night.
Three Gold Straps on the Line
For its groundbreaking event, KTFO put together some top-notch matchups, featuring six of the city’s best fighters.
An amateur title often indicates that a fighter is ready to make the jump to the professional level, and KTFO 15 features three championship fights on the card.
In the main event, the 155-pound title is on the line. It’s a battle between east and west Long Island, as Paul Thimote (2-1) of LionSport takes on East West MMA’s Ryan Castro (4-3).
The co-main features pits two undefeated fighters against each other for the bantamweight belt. Brooklyn’s Irvin Averbukh (2-0) fights Mike Martinez (2-0), who’s dropping down to 135 pounds for the first time.
Finally in a super fight for the KTFO 170-pound belt, current champion Jude Paulemon (5-1) takes on CFFC amateur middleweight champion Matt Roman (4-1).
Never Go Against the Family
If you look through the fight card for KTFO 15, John Gotti’s name might seem familiar.
That’s because Gotti (3-1), who’s fighting Ruslan Volinchii (1-1) Friday night, shares his name with his famous grandfather, whose life and story is being portrayed by John Travolta in an upcoming film.
Now, however, it’s the “Teflon Don’s” grandson who is trying to make a name for himself and his family in the world of MMA.
Gotti began his MMA career in 2014, and his bout against Volinchii already has some heat, as their original date to dance was canceled back in June.
Will Gotti live up to his family name or will Volinchii spoil his quest for MMA greatness? Fire up your FloPRO accounts Friday night to find out.
By Evan Murach