Vombaur Wins Championship Gold – Knopp and Heath Battle to a No Contest
CageSport XXIV to be Available in 100 Million Homes
Two titles were on the line at CageSport as it was the first televised event for the promotion since CageSport XXI late last year.
The 2000 seat showroom was alive as ever as the card was loaded with Northwest MMA fighters that brought in huge fan bases.
As announced last week, the United Fight Alliance (UFA) was in attendance as they plan on televising CageSport XXIV making it available to over 100 million homes.
Sitting cage side commentating the event was UFA’s Emmy winning, Jordan “Jay” Adams, and former UFC fighter, Jeff Houghland.
Rettinghouse was fighting on short notice as current bantamweight champion, Brandon Hempleman pulled out of the fight for unknown reasons.
In the pre-fight interview with Jay Adams, Vombaur stated that he was going to be aggressive in the fight and dominate whoever steps into the cage with him and he stayed true to his words.
Vombaur was able to out wrestle Rettinghouse and control the entire fight with superior ground game. Rettinghouse was in danger of getting caught with a rear naked choke multiple times throughout the fight, but did a good job through four rounds of never letting up and keeping the fight going.
In the fifth and final round of the fight, Vombaur was able to wear Rettinghouse down and finally secure the rear naked choke 3:38 into the round. Vombaur becomes the new CageSport Interim Bantamweight Title holder.
Hempleman will be forced to fight Vombaur when he becomes eligible to fight again. IF he is unable to, Vombaur becomes the unified
The doctor allowed the fight to continue after the first time, but ruled Heath unable to continue the second time around. Due to the fight not lasting at least three rounds of a five round title match, the fight was ruled a no contest.
The undercard was full of high paced action highlighted by Scott McDonald’s dominate pro debut victory along with comeback fight of the year nominee when Alfonso Gonzales defeated Darrio Mobley. After Dex Montenegro’s victory he proposed to his girlfriend in the middle of the cage, in which she happily said yes. Below are the full undercard results of CageSport XXIV.
Austin Springer def. Aaron Martin RD1 TKO(punches)
Julian Erosa def. Jason Gybels RD2 Triangle Choke
Zach Skinner def. Arjay Murphy RD1 TKO(punches)
Kasey White def. Gustavo Lopez UD (30-27) (29-28) (30-27)
Dex Montenegro def. Christian Ortiz UD (29-28)(29-28)(29-28)
Scott McDonald def. Paul Njoku RD2 Rear Naked Choke
Emanuell Russell def. Trevor Sojot UD (30-27)(30-27)(30-27)
Many current UFC fighters such as: Bryan Caraway, Miesha Tate, Michael Chiesa, John Albert, and Sam Sicilia have fought on previous CageSport cards, showcasing their talents and earning respect fighting on the most reputable MMA promotion in the region.
Tickets are now available for upcoming CageSport XXV set for July 6th, 2013. For more information on CageSport XXIV and all other Halquist Production events, please visit www.halquistproductions.com and visit the official Facebook and Twitter Pages of Halquist Productions, CageSport, and Battle at the Boat.
For interview requests, please contact:
Publicist, Anthony Woods
253.389.5238
AW.Publicist@Halquistproductions.com
Event Coordinator, Marin McCauley
253.486.2141
MM.EventCoord@Halquistproductions.com
CageSport XXIV Set to be Televised - Joins the United Fight Alliance.
Sitting cage side and commentating the action will be award winning host and MMA personality Jordan “Jay” Adams who has over 25 years of experience as a television personality and has received two Emmy Nominations and an Emmy win. Adams currently hosts two popular combat sports television shows, United Fight Alliance (UFA) and “Jay’s Brawl Call.”
CageSport has joined the United Fight Alliance (UFA) Network and will be airing on UFA’s television network distribution channels which reach over 100 million homes.
“Jay Adams and I have been working for months to put our deal together. The fit of our companies is perfect and we look for great things to happen being under the UFA banner,” said promoter, Brian Halquist.
Headlining the action in the co-main event will be the top bantamweight contenders in the Northwest, Cory Vombaur (5-2) and Josh Rettinghouse (7-1), battling it out for the interim CageSport bantamweight championship. Brandon Hempleman (9-1), the current CageSport bantamweight champion, was originally scheduled fight Vombaur, but pulled out due to unknown reasons and will not be able to defend his title at CageSport XXIV. Fight fans will also be treated to Brent Knopp (4-0) defending his middleweight title for the first time against John Heath (6-6).
Limited tickets are still available for CageSport XXIV. Tickets can be purchased at the Emerald Queen Casino box office or through Ticketmaster. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets as soon as possible as the 2000 seat showroom is close to a sellout.
With Hempleman’s title status in question, Halquist Productions decided to go with an interim title match between Vancouver’s Cory Vombaur and Spokane’s Josh Rettinghouse. If Hempleman becomes eligible to return to CageSport and wants to keep the bantamweight title, he will have to fight the winner of the bout between Vombaur and Rettinghouse, otherwise the April 27th victor will be named the CageSport bantamweight champion.
Brent “Mankill” Knopp has made his name known throughout the Northwest, training out Matt Hume’s AMC Pankration in Kirkland and starting off his pro career with a perfect 4-0 record. Knopp was considered a top prospect coming out of the amateurs with a 24-2 record and has already solidified himself as the top middleweight in the region by becoming the CageSport champion of the weight class after defeating Darrio Mobley for the second time at CageSport XXIII.
Eight other bouts featuring all northwest fighters will take place throughout the night. Below is the full fight card for CageSport XXIV
Brent Knopp (4-0) vs. John Heath (6-6) – CageSport Middleweight Championship
Josh Rettinghouse (7-1) vs. Cory Vombaur (5-2) – CageSport Interim Bantamweight Championship
Alfonso Gonzales (1-0) vs. Darrio Mobley (1-3)
Zach Skinner (7-6) vs. Arjay Murphy (1-1-1)
Julian Erosa (9-1) vs. Jason Gybels (4-3)
Kasey White (0-1) vs. Gustavo Lopez (1-0)
Scott McDonald (Pro Debut) vs. Paul Njoku (2-0)
Aaron Martin (1-0) vs. Austin Springer (2-0)
Trevor Sojot (4-7) vs. Emanuel Russell (1-0)
Dex Montenegro (1-1) vs. Christian Ortiz (1-4)
About CageSport and Halquist Productions:
Halquist Productions’ CageSport MMA series has quickly grown into the premier MMA promotion in the Northwest featuring the only card consisting of all professional fights. Many fighters such as: Miesha Tate, Bryan Caraway, Sam Sicilia, John Albert, and Michael Chiesa have all fought on previous CageSport promotions to showcase their talents and are currently signed on with the UFC.
Halquist Productions has built a world class promotion featuring live boxing and MMA action at the Emerald Queen Casino that have been seen on ESPN, ESPN 2, HBO, and Showtime. For more information about CageSport XXIV and all other Halquist Production events, please visit the official Facebook and Twitter Pages along with the official website www.halquistproductions.com
About Jay Adams:
Adams has over 25 years of hosting and production experience and currently hosts two popular combat sports television shows, United Fight Alliance and “Jay’s Brawl Call.” He is a passionate television pro who has received two Emmy Nominations and an Emmy win. Throughout his career Adam’s has worked with some of the top companies in the world, including FOX Sports Network, ABC-Miami, Disney, and CNBC. Jay Adams can also be seen commentating for leading MMA promotions worldwide. Click here for highlights.
About United Fight Alliance:
United Fight Alliance (UFA), a one hour MMA television program, airing to over 100 million homes is an affiliation of MMA promotions working together to bring you the best MMA from around the world and to build awareness for the sport. Watch as some of the biggest names in MMA fight toe to toe in the cage and you’ll see exclusive footage, interviews and fighter profiles. United Fight Alliance features top ranked fighters, women’s fights, intense action and more. Learn more about UFA at www.UnitedFightAlliance.com.
UFA shows are broadcast to over 100 million homes and sports establishments - airing nationally on DIRECTV, Dish Network, and ATT U-Verse, and locally on ROOT SPORTS, TUFF TV, Punch TV and Comcast Sports Net - Chicago. Check with your provider for local listings. For more information on Jay Adams or United Fight Alliance, please visit UnitedFightAlliance or inquire via email at info@brawlcall.com.
KIRKLAND’S AMC PANKRATION BRINGING TWO TO CAGESPORT XXIV
Knopp Looks to Defend Middleweight Title for the Second Time.
Kirkland and AMC Pankration are once again headlining Tacoma’s CageSport MMA at the Emerald Queen Casino, scheduled for April 27th. Halquist Production’s 24th installment of the fast growing MMA series will feature AMC’s Brent “Mankill” Knopp (4-0, 4 KO’s) defending his middleweight title for the second time against John Heath (6-6) in the main event. Other AMC member, Scott McDonald will be making his professional debut when he takes on Paul Njoku (2-0).
Tickets for CageSport XXIV are still available and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Emerald Queen Casino box office. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets early as the last event was sold out a week in advance, causing the release of 200 standing room only tickets for the 2000 seat showroom.
Knopp has become the clear premier middleweight in the region, taking out everybody who crosses his path and doing it with relative ease. All four of Knopp’s professional victories have come via knockout and he will look at add another one to his resume come April 27th.
In February, Knopp defended his middleweight title for the first time in a rematch with Darrio Mobley. The second meeting between the two was eerily similar to the first time they squared off when Mobley won the first round before gassing out and losing via ground n’ pound TKO in the second round.
This last faceoff started off in the same fashion. Mobley had the advantage over Knopp with an early takedown and a rear naked choke that had the entire showroom holding their breath as it appeared the current champ was done for. In “Mankill’s” typical fashion, he powered his way out of the choke, stood up, chased Mobley around the ring, took him to the canvas, and laid out another brutal session of ground n’ pound that caused the referee to stop the fight four minutes into the first round.
It’s been a challenge to find middleweight fighters in the area that are of Knopp’s caliber. His upcoming fight at CageSport XXIV was in danger when a couple of weeks ago his opponent, CJ Marsh, was forced to pull out due to injury. Knopp showed his true colors when asked about the situation. “It's good to decide to use your (Marsh) face for your true calling in modeling, instead of as a punching bag." Fortunately, Vancouver’s, John Heath, stepped up to take the challenge and keep the fight on.
AMC Pankration, located off of 6th street in Kirkland, has become one of the top MMA gyms in the world. The gym is headed by renowned MMA expert, Matt Hume, who trains numerous UFC fighters including flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson. Scott McDonald, who is coming off a stellar amateur career also trains out of AMC Pankration and will be making his professional debut on April 27th when he takes on Paul Njoku (2-0).
