(PRESS RELEASE) -- MMA Big Show, one of the fastest-growing fight promotions in the United States, will present “ONSLAUGHT” this Saturday, November 28th, live from the Belterra Casino in Belterra, Indiana. The event will feature a main event of former UFC and TUF competitor Junie Browning (3-1) clashing with local up-and-comer Scott Cornwell (1-0). The co-main event will showcase ex-training partner of Rich Franklin and former MMA Big Show Middleweight Champion Mojo Horne (6-2) in a battle with Kevin Barkdull (3-1). “ONSLAUGHT” will be shown live on GoFightLive.com. Tickets are priced at $25, $40, $45, and $75, and are available through Ticketmaster, as well as http://www.mmabigshow.com/. 21 and over only, please.
Junie Browning trains with TapouT Training Center extraordinaire Shawn Tompkins, and was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter reality show. In his elimination bout, he defeated Jose Aguilar by TKO, as Aguilar was not able to answer the bell for the 2nd round. Browning was then made the first pick of the lightweights for Team Mir. He was successful in his quarterfinal match-up with Rolando Delgado, winning by decision after 3 rounds, dropping and nearly finishing Delgado in the 2nd round. On December 13, 2008, Browning took on fellow Team Mir cast-mate Dave Kaplan on the main card of The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 Finale, winning by armbar. Browning and Kaplan both won $25,000 Fight of the Night honors. A lot has been made of Junie’s recent legal troubles, and MMA Big Show President Jason Appleton is fully aware of his situation. “Booking Junie was a good decision and I stand by it,” explained Appleton. “I believe he is going to show everyone that he has worked hard for this fight and deserves the opportunity. Scott Cornwell and Junie are going to make a memorable battle regardless of the outcome.”
This will be Browning’s first post-UFC fight, and he will be looking to show he wants to improve both as a fighter in the cage, and a person out of it. Regardless, he’s excited to be fighting in MMA Big Show. “I love it. I’ve been to MMA Big Show before,” said Browning. “It's an awesome, awesome show. I'm really excited about it, especially because it's close to home and I haven't had the opportunity to allow my friends and family to come watch me fight, so I'm pretty psyched about that.” In regards to his legal issues, Browning had this to say: “I have a lot to learn. It's not like already have twenty or something fights and I've been doing this forever. I'm still trying to learn how to be more professional and stuff. I have no excuses as to why I made a mistake. I'm not perfect. What's important is I'm trying to improve myself.” And Browning is confident about Saturday’s bout with Cornwell. Regarding his opponent, Browning stated, “He seems like a tough guy. He's got skill, but he's just not on the same level. He'll be able to hang in there...I'll even give him a round because he's sorta tough. But he hasn't trained or fought the level of guys I'm used to.”
But Browning’s first challenge in MMA Big Show will be no pushover, as he will face fearsome fighter Scott Cornwell at Saturday’s “ONSLAUGHT.” The Cincinnati native started Tae Kwon Do at the age of three under Master David Huffstutler. As a teenager, Cornwell quickly progressed through the ranks, and currently holds a 3rd degree black belt, winning several local and national tournaments. He also had a very impressive high school wrestling career, where he competed for multiple national teams in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. His amateur mixed martial arts career began in 2007 while training under 4th degree black belt and renowned MMA instructor Rob Gerhardt, and he won his first five amateur fights, amassing an impressive record of 7-2. In preparation for his pro debut, Scott began additional training with Rod Housley at Team Vision while continuing to train and teach at Hamilton-Fairfield Tae Kwon Do. In short, Scott is an excellent striker and wrestler, and is well-versed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He is ready or the challenge that Browning will bring to the cage.
The full fight card for “ONSLAUGHT” includes the following bouts:
- Lightweights: Corey Farell (6-7) vs. Dustin Center (7-3)
- Lightweights: Ryan Stamper (0-0) vs. Josh Pratt (0-0)
- Catchweight (160 lbs.): Josh Lobenstien (0-0) vs. Nathan Campbell (0-0)
- Heavyweight: Duprie Moon (0-1) vs. Quinton Simpson (1-2)
- Catchweight (130 lbs.): Jake Bello (1-0) vs. Dustin Howell (1-1)
- Bantamweights: Leando Banks (1-2) vs. Mike Littleton (2-1)
- Bantamweights: Joe Pegg (2-3) vs. Roger Hahn (1-1)
- Middleweights: Joe Cox (2-2) vs. Chris Potee (1-1)
- Welterweights: Brian Francisco (2-0) vs. Michael Dabe (2-2)
- Light heavyweights: Danny Surface (5-3) vs. Derek Gibson (10-3)
- Lightweights: MMA Big Show Amateur Lightweight Champion Chris Bennett (15-1) vs. Brian Karmoliski (12-4)
- Middleweights: Mojo Horne (6-2) vs. Kevin Barkdull (3-1)
- Lightweights: Junie Browning (3-1) vs. Scott Cornwell (1-0)