(PRESS RELEASE) -- Atlantic City, NJ – Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) raises the bar again with a spectacular line up for the first event of 2013 to take place on Saturday, February 2nd, live at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa with three title fights. Undefeated Renzo Gracie protégé, Artur Rofi and Kurt Pellegrino MMA (KPMMA) student Lester Caslow will battle for the vacant CFFC featherweight title and AMA Fight Club’s Sean Santella will attempt his third title defense against Strikeforce veteran Anthony Figueroa. Finally in the main event, another KPMMA athlete, George Sullivan will “bang” against undefeated Julian Lane who appeared on the UFC’s previous season of the Ultimate Fighter.
After knocking out Soto, Sullivan went the distance with Dixon and although he earned the victory, he didn’t get the finish he wanted. “I’m going to knock him out,” continued the champion. “I’m more focused for this fight than my last. I have something to prove again.”
He is not the only one with something to prove. After starting his career 4-0, Julian Lane signed on with CFFC to fight Ozzy Dugulubgov for a chance to earn a shot at Sullivan’s title. Unfortunately, the UFC called and CFFC released him from his contract to compete in the 16th season of the Ultimate Fighter. After defeating Diego Bautista (7-1) to get into the house, Lane hand-picked the Team Carwin’s second pick, Bristol Marunde, after CFFC veteran, Joey Rivera, eliminated their first pick in Sam Alvey. Lane fell short in a competitive two-round decision. From there, Lane is more remembered for his antics outside of the cage than inside. If Lane can beat Sullivan and capture the CFFC crown, it catapults his career to a higher level.
Since losing to current CFFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling (7-0), Sean Santella (11-3-1) dropped back to his natural flyweight division and has won three straight fights. Being named one of the 13 Fighters (UFC) Debuts to Hope for in ’13 by Sherdog.com, Santella has been having trouble finding opponents. Trained by NJ MMA Hall of Fame trainer, Mike Constantino, Santella has the luxury of training daily with UFC level fighters. A win here against Figueroa could catapult him into the UFC and for this fight, he is all business. “I don’t know much about my opponent,” said Santella. “But I’m going to do what I do best. I’m going to push the pace and finish the fight.”
All the way from San Jose, California, Anthony Figueroa (6-6-1) is coming off a two fight win streak and has already had the opportunity to fight the top competition in Strikeforce where he compiled a 3-3 record. Figueroa knows that Santella is tough and is excited for the opportunity in front of him. “Sean seems like a respectful martial artist and I’m honored to fight him for his title,” said the challenger. “I’m excited for the challenge and looking forward to fighting in the CFFC.”
After his departure to the UFC, current CFFC featherweight champion, Joey Gambino left a huge whole to fill for someone to claim the now vacant title. However, Artur Rofi (5-0) believes that he can fit the bill and stake claim to the title. Rofi has finished all of his five professional bouts and has alternated his last four fights with armbars and triangle choke submissions. If things follow this pattern, Rofi could wind up with an armbar victory and more importantly, his first title.
Standing in Rofi’s way is KPMMA’s Lester Caslow (8-6) who has faced the toughest competition in the region. Caslow has been a part of Kurt Pellegrino’s fight team since 2008 and is a BJJ purple belt. He will no doubt be Rofi’s biggest challenge to date and looks to be the first person to defeat him. The New Jersey native is coming off a submission victory against Brian van Hoven and has the skill set to handle the fight no matter where it goes.
The rest of the card is stacked from top to bottom. In the main card, New Jersey’s own Brandon Becker (5-0) will look to make it a perfect six when he battles Virginia’s Brian Nielson (3-2). Becker has also finished all of his five opponents and all of Nielson’s victories have come via stoppages. Don’t look for the judges to be involved in this one.
Also on the main card will feature the battle of the unbeaten featherweights when Jordan Stiner (2-0) of Renzo Gracie PA takes on New York’s Kenny Rivera (1-0). Mike Wilcox (2-1) returns to CFFC action to take on Florida’s Dervin Lopez (1-0) in a light-heavyweight showdown. Another battle of unbeaten will occur when Robert Fabrizi (2-0) battles Jared Gordon (1-0) in a lightweight battle. To finish up the main card, Maryland’s Jonathan DelBrugge (1-0) will look to remain undefeated when he takes on Maykon Santos (1-1).
The undercard will also feature a wealth of local talent including TUF alum Andy Main, Daniel Holmes, Julio Rosario, Brian Collins, and the long awaited pro debut of Jamie Lowe, the wife of UFC veteran, Waylon Lowe. A limited amount of tickets are still available at www.theborgata.com. See you there to Feel the Fury!
About Cage Fury Fighting Championships Cage Fury Fighting Championships (www.cffc.tv) is a pioneer in bringing prominent and elite MMA talent to the east coast. With a successful return in 2011 headed by President Rob Haydak Jr. and Vice President Joe Stant, the organization has continued to help launch the careers of several MMA stars including current UFC standouts, current CFFC lightweight champion John Cholish, and CFFC featherweight Champion Joey Gambino. CFFC Champions include George Sullivan (welterweight), current #2 prospect in the world, Aljamain Sterling (bantamweight), CFFC Flyweight Champion, Sean Santella, who is currently ranked as the # 8 fighter in the world in the flyweight division, and UFC veteran Dustin Jacoby, who currently holds the CFFC middleweight title.