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CFFC will Crown a New Heavyweight Champion & Jordan Stiner Battles Levan Makashvili This Saturday!

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Atlantic City, NJ – A battle of the unbeatens will take place when Renzo Gracie protégé, Jordan Stiner (6-0) takes on Levan Makashvili (6-0) this Saturday night at the Valley Forge Hotel and Casino in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Also scheduled, a new CFFC heavyweight champion will be crowned when heavy hitters Azunna Anyanwu and “Bazooka” Joe Stripling square off to end a bitter feud.

The CFFC heavyweight title became vacant after Johnny “the Tree Man” Curtis (9-2) defeated the former champion, Chris “Big Buck” Birchler (5-1), just 41 seconds into the first round. “For starters, I would like to thank CFFC for this incredible opportunity,” said Curtis after winning his eighth consecutive fight. “Winning the CFFC heavyweight title was truly a story-book ending and something I’ll always cherish. Everything about the experience was picture perfect. My goal since beginning MMA was to reach a high-level promotion and test myself against high-level opponents. The organization and opponent certainly provided both. I really don’t think the night could’ve gone better.”

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"Johnny's decision was the right decision,” stated CFFC CEO Rob Haydak Jr. “He's a true testament of an athlete who has achieved success through hard work and dedication. Going into his title shot back in October, I was well aware that he might call it quits whether he won or lost. Knowing Johnny as a fighter and person, there was no one more deserving of a title shot for his final curtain call. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and wish him all the best."

Although the CEO had an idea of the retirement, the rest of the mixed-martial-arts (MMA) community was wondering why?

“My game plan all along was to see what kind of strain training camp would put on me and my family,” stated Curtis. “Then, get through coaching wrestling this season and make a decision. At this point in my life, I know that fighting has to come second. Out of respect for CFFC and the growing heavyweight division, it’s doesn’t seem fair to wait that long. The exciting part of this for me, is to see how the heavyweight picture develops. There are several really tough guys in the division, all of which deserve a shot. I know the “Big Buck” will come back stronger and ready to make a statement. I know Bazooka was anxious for the winner, and Zu is coming off a hard fought victory. Looks like CFFC and their fans, have an incredible tournament in their future.”

Speaking of those two competitors, “Bazooka” Joe Stripling (8-5) and fight Azunna “Zu” Anyanwu (5-2) will fight for the vacant title this Saturday. "With the retirement of Johnny Curtis, it was an easy decision to have Zu and Joe fill the vacancy,” continued Haydak. “Joe and Zu will no doubt have the CFFC fans on their feet the entire fight. Both have fought at Valley Forge in the past and delivered memorable moments. I fully expect this weekend to provide much of the same."

Both competitors are confident and the experience factor may go to Stripling as he fought Birchler in June of 2013 for the CFFC heavyweight title and lost by a razor thin split decision. “It’s an honor to fight for the CFFC title again,” said Stripling. “Last time I fought for the title it was on short notice and I was coming off just having staph. So this time, I get a full training camp.”

In regard to his opponent, Stripling didn’t pull any punches. “My opponent is a good brawler with heavy hitting KO power. He is a former teammate and we trained together two to three times a week for his fights to get him ready, never my fights. So I am looking forward to putting on a good show against someone I respect but dislike. For this fight, I predict a third round beating with me coming out the victor with a third round TKO due to strikes.”

His adversary appears to share in the animosity between the former teammates. “He's a fake and a fraud, but I’m gonna fight him like he's the best fighter in the world,” stated Anyanwu. “(Fighting for the CFFC title is a) Great opportunity. Makes you want to step your training up to the next level. It’s just more motivation.” In regards to the fight, Anywanu kept it simple and simply stated, “I will have my first professional title”.

CFFC 32 will be headlined by a featherweight battle between Jordan Stiner, who was recently voted MMA fighter of the year by the fans for Go Fight Live’s First Annual Combat Sports Awards, and the undefeated Levan Makashvilli, who has stopped four of his six opponents by KO or TKO. "We're honored to have two of the top featherweight prospects in the country headline CFFC 32," stated Haydak. "Makashvili is regarded in the Northeast as an elite prospect in the featherweight division. I wish our organization had 100 Jordan Stiners. Jordan is a true professional in every sense. He's constantly looking for a challenge and asking us to find him the toughest and best opponents in the country. It's refreshing not to have a fighter and his management ask for a favorable match-up. With Jordan and his team, you simply have to find the toughest fighter out there and they'll accept. I'm confident Arias delivered an opponent regarded as one of the best."

Here is a look at this weekend’s card:

Main Event

Jordan Stiner (6-0) vs. Levan Makashvili (6-0)

Co-Main Event - Heavyweight Title Bout

Joe Stripling (8-5) vs Azunna Anyanwu (5-2)

Main Card

Jonathan DelBrugge(3-1) vs Stephen Singleton (2-3)

William Algeo (4-1) vs Joel Roberts (9-5)

Aaron Bicking (1-0) vs Chris Piriz (1-0)

Billy Dee Williams (0-3) vs Joseph Lowry (0-0, pro debut)

Amateur Card:

Anthony Dill (4-1) vs Dave Roberts (4-1)

Jonathan Forster (2-1) vs Jeremy Preston (0-2)

Jamie Driver (1-1) vs Bridget McEliece (1-0)

Woodmy Jean (0-0) vs Mickey Gall (0-0)

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. Since CFFC’s debut, past and current champions have competed at the highest level. Before they were in the UFC, Jim and Dan Miller were both CFFC champions. That legacy remains the same today. Three current CFFC champions, George Sullivan, Aljamain Sterling, and Charlie Brenneman are currently on the UFC roster. Current UFC fighters Zach Makovsky, Nick Catone, Nah-Shon Burrell, and John Howard have also competed in CFFC prior to their entry to the UFC. Also, CFFC helped jump start the career of internet fighting sensation Kimbo Slice, whose first foray into MMA came in the CFFC cage when he fought former boxing champion Ray “Merciless” Mercer. CFFC continues to thrive as the best regional promotion in the world while focusing on treating fighters with respect and giving the fans the ultimate MMA experience.
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