Tuff-N-Uff Announces Undercard Stacked with New York Fighters for Their First Ever Event in the Empire State
MMA is coming to Turning Stone Resort Casino and bringing with it a stacked card of local New York fighters. Tuff-N-Uff, in partnership with Combate Americas and Turning Stone Resort Casino, today announced five amateur undercard bouts for “Empire Rising,” Combate Americas’ & Tuff-N-Uff’s first ever event in New York. The five bouts will feature exciting matchups with nine fighters from the state of New York. In addition to the undercard bouts, the exhilarating event will also include eight professional MMA fights on Friday October 14 at the Event Center at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
Alex Potts (3-0), Syracuse-native and current Gladius Fights Bantamweight Champion, will face undefeated contender Mike Taylor (3-0) of Cortland, N.Y. Both undefeated, Potts and Taylor are touted as the best amateur bantamweights in New York. Potts’ began his career in wrestling and grew up training with wrestling legend Gene Mills. Taylor has an amateur boxing background with two submission wins to his credit.
Knockout artist and Gladius Champion JD Tyrell (3-0) of Cortland, N.Y. will showcase his devastating striking style to fans at Turning Stone when he takes on veteran Josh Kline (4-7) out of Newark, N.Y. Tyrell has proven his striking power again and again, disposing of all his opponents by knockout. Kline’s wealth of experience makes him a formidable opponent, and makes this light heavyweight fight a can’t-miss.
In a flyweight bout, undefeated prospect Grant Kabol (3-0) out of New York, N.Y. will face Kevin Soto (2-1) of Syracuse, N.Y. Kabol has finished all three of his opponents via submission and will be looking for a fourth against Soto. Soto’s intense training style and Muay-Thai prowess will pose a unique challenge for Kabol, however, and promises to be an electrifying match-up.
Also on the undercard are welterweights Jeremy Stewart (2-0) of Ithaca, N.Y. and Nolan Brant (1-3) of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Stewart is a former stand-out football player from SUNY Morrisville and has translated that explosiveness to the cage with two wins in a total of 24 seconds of fighting. This fight will be a step up in competition for Brant, who is coming off three consecutive losses.
In an exciting heavyweight bout, undefeated Anthony Panek (3-0) of Auburn, N.Y. will face Gladius & Art of Combat Champion Mike Diorio (5-0). Diorio, an experienced fighter out of Cortland, N.Y., exudes confidence in training and in match-ups. Panek, a less experienced, but equally formidable fighter, has trained hard, working with elite training partners like Matt Hamill.
Tuff-N-Uff stayed true to their roots and stacked their inaugural New York fight card with local rising talent. As the largest amateur MMA organization in the world, TUFF had fighter interest that flooded in from across the country. “When we announced this event at Turning Stone Resort in New York, we literally got hundreds of inquiries to fight on this card in less than 24 hours,” said Bryan Lindsey EVP & Chief Operating Officer of TUFF. “We could not be more pleased with the talent on this undercard and we are very excited to be able to support the local New York MMA athletes by filling this entire undercard with local talent.”
A nationally recognized venue for legendary, fight-of-the-year-level boxing events, Turning Stone Resort Casino will now become one of the very first venues in New York to host professional MMA fights. With a legacy of hosting some of the best events in the country, rivaling many venues in major cities such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City and New York City, Turning Stone has established Upstate New York as a premier destination for live sporting events. Turning Stone is an award-winning destination resort, offering world-class amenities including four hotels, more than 20 restaurants and dining options, two luxurious spas, a 125,000 square foot Las Vegas style gaming floor, a cabaret-style Showroom, a 5,000 seat arena, five pristine golf courses, several bars, cocktail lounges and nightlife venues.
Tickets for “Empire Rising” are on sale and can be purchased at the Turning Stone Box Office, by calling 877.833.SHOW, or online at Ticketmaster.com. Remaining tickets are priced $50 and $35, and may be subject to additional fees. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for the event, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m.
The last of the professional bouts will be announced soon. For more information, click here.
