Bret Kohan (Ricardo Almeida BJJ) vs. Ricardo Romero (Advanced Martial Arts)

Chris Liguori (Ricardo Almeida BJJ) vs. Charles Oliveiro da Silva (Gold Team Fighters)

Two title fights were just signed at 3pm today, scheduled for Ring of Combat XXVI on September 11th.

Bret Kohan will be defending his Ring of Combat Heavyweight Championship against the newly re-crowned USKBA Light Heavyweight Champion Ricardo Romero at a catchweight of 210 lbs.

Also, local MMA legend and UFC Veteran Chris Liguori will be defending his Ring of Combat Lightweight Title against tough Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World champion Charles Oliveira da Silva who is undefeated in MMA.

Keep checking NJMMAToday.com and Ringofcombat.com for updates on these awesome matchups.

There are a handful of arenas, clubs, showrooms, convention centers and gyms that host Mixed Martial Arts events in New Jersey. Whether your going to see a pro or amateur show there are a few things you want to consider when buying tickets: ticket pricing, location, view, liquor license, and after-party. So I am going to count down the top 5 best venues in NJ to watch a fight, so next time you plan on going out to a night of fights, you know what to expect.

5.Flyers Skate Zone (Voorhees, NJ)

This is a regular spot for Asylum Fight League’s brand of Amateur Mixed Martial Arts. It’s set on an ice rink, with the cage in the center andchairs surrounding. There is a narrow platform that the fighters walk to get to the cage during their entrance.

For fighters the place is a little strange because a lot of times you end up doing your warm-ups and last minute drills right by your opponent. Their isn’t any stadium seating, all of the chairs are on one level so this means you might run into problems seeing the action at times. There is nothing really in the area to go to after the fights are over, but there are some restaurants in the area you can hit before the fights.

Overall, this is a decent venue to watch Amateur MMA.

4.Club Abyss (Sayreville, NJ)

Club Abyss is a relatively new venue for MMA, but it’s hosted the two biggest names in Amateur Mixed Martial Arts: Asylum Fight League and New Breed Fighters. The venue itself has a night club atmosphere with two small balconies to the right and left of the dance floor. The ring/cage is in the center of the dance floor. For New Breeds first show there they discovered that the ceiling was too low to fit a cage, so they had to use a ring instead. Since then, they have figured out a way to fit the cage.

It’s a night club so liquor is available, ticket prices vary depending on the show, but most are reasonable, the club is easily accessible right off of Highway 35, the only issue is that I have with this venue is the seating is all one level basically, which makes the action hard to see sometimes, especially when it hits the ground.

3. House of Blues (Atlantic City, NJ)

This Venue is constantly busy with concerts, comedy, and of course New Breed Fighters Amateur MMA. Casino goers often get free tickets as a comp, to come watch these shows, so the place is usually packed. Also, you’re in Atlantic City so once the fights are over you’re surrounded by clubs, bars, gambling, and flashy lights.Alcohol is easily attained, with an I.D. as there are four bars located inside the house of blues itself.

There are two floors from which to watch the fight: a ground level and a balcony level. I would suggest the balcony, only because an overhead view is better in case the fight goes to the ground. Overall, this is probably the best venue to watch some Amateur Mixed Martial Arts.

2. Prudential Center (Newark, NJ)

This is a brand new facility that hosted UFC 78, which was the last time the UFC came to New Jersey. There isn’t much to say about this venue that cannot be said about any major arena. Food, beer, tons of people, and the place is really nice inside. Outside, you realize you’re still in Newark so be on your guard.

The ticket prices become a little outrageous at this venue because it hosts the biggest MMA show in the world and there are plenty of seats. So if your willing to shell out the money, you can get really awesome seats and witness probably one of the best shows of your life.

However, if you find yourself sitting in the nose bleeds, the UFC will kindly show the fight via big screen, or you can just bring some binoculars. After the show there isn’t much to do but go home, and be careful because no one wants to be stuck in Newark at 1 am.

1. Tropicana Showroom (Atlantic City, NJ)

The Showroom at the Trop, is home to my personal favorite in Professional MMA: Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat. The Showroom itself is located to the far left of the Casino entrance and up an escalator. There is stadium seating, bleachers, and ringside seating.

The best seats in the house are most definitely the bleachers which run about $60, but they are first come first serve, and they offer an excellent view of the cage. Alcohol is available at all times during the show, but you usually have to leave to get it. Also, bring your dress shoes, because the event hosts an after party at Club Providence directly after the show, or you can treat yourself to other awesome bars and clubs in the Trop.

In my opinion, seeing Ring of Combat at the Tropicana is one of the best experiences you can have watching MMA in New Jersey.

Keep checking in for more information on upcoming events at these awesome venues.

Ring of Combat XXV happened tonight in the Showroom of the Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City. 15 fights went down, with one cancelled. There was a few brutal KOs, some sick ground work, and some decisions. Overall it was an excellent show that we’ve come to expect from one of the best MMA Events on the East Coast.

Bout 1 – Catchweight 200 lbs.

Carlos Brooks (Tiger Schulman’s MMA) vs. David Shapiro (L.V.I.R.K)

• Brooks by TKO (Strikes) Round 2
• Brooks get’s on top early and reigns strikes down for most of the 1st round. Both fight for the clinch in the beginning of the 2nd Shapiro pulls guard from double underhooks, and Brooks let’s down an unrelenting reign of strikes that cause Ref Donny Carolei to step in.

Bout 2 – Middleweight 185 lbs.

Jose Viera Jr. (KTFO) vs. Howard Longus (Wilkies Warriors)

• Viera by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Round 1
• Viera get’s a take down early, and takes the back. Viera locks in an easy choke victory early in the 1st.

Bout 3 – Bantamweight 135 lbs.

Jose Villanueva (Tiger Schulman’s MMA) vs. Sean Santella (AMA Fight Club)

• Majority Draw (19-19, 20-18, 19-19)
• First round was deemed mostly in favor of Santella who scored a few take downs early, Villanueva made good use of the butterfly guard using it to get the fight up to the feet near the end of the first, and he capitalized on the little striking that took place in the fight. The 2nd started off the same way, with Santella getting an early takedown, but Villanueva sweeps him and ends up on top, switching to the back mount. Santella defends until the bell.

Bout 4 – Lightweight 155 lbs.

Jay Isip (Team Pellegrino) vs. Mike Prokop (Rhino Fight Team NY)

• Jay Isip by Unanimous Decision (20-17, 20-18, 20-18)
• Two start off striking Prokop lands a nice right, but is stunned and hurt by an Isip right hand seconds later. Prokop goes for a take down but is reversed. Isip lands strikes and transitions to the side mount to win the 1st round. The 2nd round starts off similar with Prokop landing a good right hand but Isip takes him down. Isip lands strikes from the guard, until Referee Carolei stands them up. Prokop stuffs an initial shot, but Isip follows up with another shot gets the takedown and lands in side mount, winning round 2 as well.

Bout 5 – Catchweight 128 lbs.

Louis Gaudinot (Tiger Schulman’s MMA) vs. Nick Cottone (Daddis FC)

• Cottone by Unanimous Decision
• Both fight in the clinch, Cottone has the advantage keeping Gaudinot up against the cage, but Gaudinot lands some strikes from the clinch. Eventually Cottone picks a leg and gets the takedown. Gaudinot works a few mission control rubber guard positions, but neither one can get anything going. 2nd round is more of the same with cottone smothering Gaudinot.

Bout 6 – Lightweight 155 lbs.

David Church (Team Pellegrino) vs. John Salgado (Team Inner G Systems)

• Bout cancelled

Bout 7 – Lightweight 155 lbs.

Jim Bova (Anthracite Combat Club) vs. Nabih Barakat (Team Serra/Longo)

• Barakat by Split Decision

Bout 8 – Welterweight 170 lbs.

Ryan LaFlare (Bellmore Kickboxing) vs. Robert Cunane (L.A. Boxing)

• LaFlare by KO (Right Hook) Round 1
• LaFlare lands a suplex early, and then catches Cunane with a right hook during a sloppy combination.

Bout 9 – Welterweight 170 lbs.

Anthony Abatelli (Team Serra/Longo) vs. Kevin Horowitz (Rhino Fight Team NY)

• Horowitz by Unanimous Decision

Bout 10 – Middleweight 185 lbs.

Mitch Whitesel (Wreck Room Athletics) vs. Andrew Riddles (Ricardo Almeida BJJ)

• Riddles by Unanimous Decision(29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Riddles scores two takedowns in the 2nd and stays on top giving him the round decisively. Round 3 Riddles pushes Whitesel up against the cage immediately, gets a double leg takdown. passes to half guard, Whitesel locks Riddles’ leg down and keeps him in half guard for the duration of the round where Riddles lands some shots to seal the deal.

Bout 11 – Catchweight 150 lbs.

Eddie Fyvie (Spa City BJJ) vs. Jeff Lentz (Rhino Fight Team NJ)

• Lentz by KO (Flying Knee) Round 1
• Fyvie goes for a couple failed take downs, Lentz wanted no part of the ground game. Lentz gets the better of the strikes. Lentz catches Fyvie with a flying knee when Fyvie shoots for the takedown. Lentz throws a couple punches for good measure, but Fyvie is out.

Bout 12 – Lightweight 155 lbs.

Al Iaquinta (Team Serra/Longo) vs. Tim Sylvester (Maxercise/Daddis FC)

• Iaquinta by KO (Right Hook) 0:13 Round 1
• Iaquinta comes out throwing heavy hands, Sylvester blocks the first but get’s caught on the jaw with the second. Iaquinta follows up with right hand on the ground, but it is unecessary. Sylvester tries to take down the ref.

Bout 13 – Welterweight 170 lbs.

Marc Berrocal (Bill Scott BJJ) vs. Radji Bryson-Barrett (Tiger Schulman’s MMA)

• Berrocal by KO (Right Haymaker) 0:13 Round 1
• If you read my preview of the event you saw where I mentioned Berrocal’s one punch KO power. That pretty much explains it. Bryson-Barrett lay motionless for a while, but eventually he got up and seemed none the worse for wear.

Bout 14 – Heavyweight 245 lbs.

Gian Villante (Bellmore Kickboxing) vs. Joe Abouata (Wilkies Warriors)

• Villante by TKO Ref Stoppage (Strikes) Round 1
• Villante and Abouata come out striking. Abouata lands a right hand with no effect, Villante throws one back and drops Abouata up against the cage. Villante follows down to side mount, and holds position. Abouata rolls giving up his back. Villante catches Abouata with an uppercut as Abouata tries to stand, this drops him right back down, and hurts him enough to allow Villante to get on top and strike til Referee Mulhall calls a stop.

Bout 15 – USKBA MMA U.S. Light Heavyweight Championship Title 205 lbs.

Ricardo Romero (Advanced Martial Arts) vs. Karen Grigoryan (Team Link)

• Romero by TKO Referee Stoppage (Strikes) Round 2
• Grigoryan throws a lot of wild left hooks not many score. Romero gets a takedown but doesnt do anything with it. Both just circle each other throwing some punches not much scoring. round 2 Romero shoots immediately, and passes to mount. Karen gets back to his feet, more looping left hooks. Romero lands a heavy right hand that staggers Grigoryan and leads Romero to clinch him up and throw some knees. Grigoryan eats a knee or two, before Romero takes him down and starts the ground ‘n’ pound. Grigoryan gives up his back, takes a couple shots, then rolls back to mount and takes a couple more punches until Referee Kevin Mulhall saves him. Romero is Light Heavyweight Champ for a second time.

Bout 16 – Ring of Combat Middleweight Championship 185 lbs.

Rafael “Sapo” Natal vs. Victor O’Donnell (Team Vision/Walker MMA)

• O’Donnell by TKO Dr. Stoppage Round 1
• Fireworks in this fight. Some back and forth striking, Sapo hurt O’Donnell early. However, O’Donnell regrouped and came back swinging and kept Sapo dazed with strikes the rest of the round. Sapo showed a lot of resilience never giving up and making it through the round. Unfortunately the doctor inspected Sapo and deemed him unfit to continue into the 2nd round. Both O’Donnell and Sapo expressed their discontent with the decision and the two may be scheduled for a rematch soon. But until then O’Donnell is the new Ring of Combat Middleweight Champ.