(PRESS RELEASE) -- TACOMA, Wash. – Two of the Northwest’s top female fighters will take center stage at CageSport presents Super Fight League 45 when Amy Montenegro and Glena Avila square off for the vacant SFL America strawweight championship on Dec. 12 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.
“It has been an incredible 2015 and what better way for us to end it than to have two of the best female MMA fighters battling it out for the SFL championship?” said promoter Brian Halquist. “On top of that we also have one of the area’s most popular fighters returning after a two-year hiatus.”
Montenegro, a resident of Issaquah, Wash., is 6-2 and is no stranger to competing at the Emerald Queen Casino, having fought three times in Tacoma. The venue is certainly a special place for Montenegro as it was at the EQC where her husband Dex Montenegro proposed to her following his victory on an April 23, 2013 CageSport card.
“I can’t think of too many times someone captured an MMA championship at the very spot where their husband proposed to them,” Halquist added. “Amy is a very gifted fighter and has developed a strong following locally. She’s earned this title opportunity through sheer hard work. We’re excited to have her back on the card.”
Avila, the subject of the acclaimed 2014 documentary “Glena,” which follows the fighter as she makes her MMA professional debut, went undefeated as an amateur before entering the pro ranks four years ago. She brings a record of 5-3 into the title bout and is coming off a unanimous decision over Cheryl Chan on June 27.
“If you have seen the documentary on her, you can tell just how passionate she is about this sport,” Halquist said. “Her ring moniker is somewhat inaccurate because it seems like she’s all heart.”
Knopp, of Kirkland, Wash., climbs back into the cage for the first time since Dec. 7, 2013 and will look to pick up right where he left off. The current CageSport middleweight champion, Knopp (5-0-1) will be tested by Spokane veteran Jordan Currie (6-4) in a battle of light heavyweights.
Knopp, who was sidelined due to injuries for the past 24 months, has fought exclusively at the Emerald Queen Casino during his professional career, and has not disappointed the local fight fans, scoring all five of his victories by TKO. He defeated former StrikeForce fighter Cory Devela for the middleweight crown in his last bout two years ago.
“Mankill is back and the fans are ecstatic,” Halquist said. “We haven’t had too many fighters here match his popularity, and that’s because he comes to fight every time and leaves everything in the ring. We’ve been fortunate enough to have him fight on six of our events. We’re expecting more of the same excitement from Mankill in his return.”
Currie (7-4) brings a two-bout winning streak into the 3-round affair, making quick work of Chris Folsom in his last fight on Sept. 5 when he scored a first-round KO.
Tickets are available through the EQC box office and all Ticket Master outlets. Doors open at 6 p.m. with preliminary bouts starting at 7 p.m.
Brian Halquist Productions will begin its 20th year of combative sports at Tacoma’s Emerald Queen Casino in 2016. Halquist and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians announced 10 dates for 2016 – beginning on Jan. 15 with the 104th installment of the Battle at the Boat professional boxing series.
Super Fight League 45 is brought to you by Brian Halquist Productions and CageSport MMA. For more information, please visit www.halquistproductions.com and the CageSport MMA Facebook page.
ABOUT BRIAN HALQUIST
Brian Halquist Productions is the Northwest premiere fight promotion company creator of the famed "Battle at the Boat" boxing series promoting more than 17 years and 100 fights at the Emerald Queen Casino. BHP has also built the largest professional MMA series on the USA’s west coast with “CageSport MMA” promoting over 30 fights. Brian Halquist Productions has promoted events for ESPN, ShowTime and HBO and featured on Showtime's historic boxing event in St Lucia, West Indies. Brian Halquist Productions has been promoting fights and concerts for over 30 years in the Pacific Northwest.