The following press release was sent to MMATorch by Brian Halquist Productions
Fodor Faces Undefeated Vanderford for Title at CageSport 47
Vacant CageSport Welterweight Championship Headlines Event at Emerald Queen Casino
TACOMA, Wash. – The vacant CageSport welterweight championship will be up for grabs when Ben “Phoenix Jones” Fodor faces undefeated Austin Vanderford in the main event of CageSport 47 on October 14 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash.
The 5-round title fight for the 170-pound crown will be one of nine bouts on the card.
Tickets are available through the EQC box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Preliminary bouts start at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Fodor, who is also known as real-life Seattle crime-fighting superhero Phoenix Jones, brings a record of 7-2 into the contest. He last fought in Tacoma on Feb. 21, 2015, defeating Jason Novelli by third-round submission for the CageSport welterweight championship.
Following the fight, ESPN aired an SC Featured story titled “Phoenix Rising” that highlights the background of Ben Fodor’s “Phoenix Jones” Superhero alias and his Mixed Martial Arts career. After the airing, Fodor became the center of attention in the MMA world and soon had promotional offers from almost every major MMA promotion in the United States. Fodor ended up signing with the World Series of Fighting.
“I’ve never lost on this promotion, and I will never lose on this promotion,” Fodor said about his return to CageSport MMA. “Normally I’m a savior. In this cage I am a conqueror.”
Vanderford will look to remain undefeated in his professional career as he makes his CageSport debut. After posting a 4-0 mark as an amateur, Vanderford has come up victorious in each of his first two contests as a pro. On top of his impressive MMA background, Vanderford also has an NAIA wrestling championship on his list of accomplishments.
“This is going to be an exciting title fight,” promoter Brian Halquist said. “Fodor brings that big-fight feel whenever he’s in the building, and Vanderford has yet to taste defeat in the cage as a pro or an amateur. We expect another incredible night of CageSport MMA.”
Highlighting the undercard will be a battle of 145 pounders as Eric Higaonna (8-1) squares off against Ryan Hollis, who is looking to notch career win No. 12 in the bout.
Additional undercard bouts include a pair of 156-pound bouts with Dex Montenegro (6-3) facing Nathan Thompson (5-5) and Chris Stone (2-1) taking on Wyatt Gonzales (1-2).
CageSport 47 is brought to you by Brian Halquist Productions and CageSport MMA. For more information, please visit the CageSport MMA Facebook page and www.halquistproductions.com
CageSport 47 – Saturday, Oct.14, 2017
Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma, Wash.
Co-Main Events – 5 Rounds
CageSport Welterweight Championship
Ben Fodor (7-2) vs. Austin Vanderford (2-0)
Undercard – 3 Round Bouts
145-pounds: Tyrone Henderson (3-3-1) vs. Steven Wing (1-1)
133-pounds: Eric Higaonna (8-1) vs. Ryan Hollis (11-11)
156-pounds: Dex Montenegro (6-3) vs. Nathan Thompson (5-5)
206-pounds: AJ Weber (2-4) vs. Nick Biron (1-2)
156-pounds: Wyatt Gonzales (1-2) vs. Chris Stone (2-1)
181-pounds: Steven Vasquez (0-1) vs. Dominique Smith (0-1)
206-pounds: Robert Burgess (1-3) vs. Brent Ockerman (2-1)
*One additional bout TBD
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 20 years and over 150 fights at the Emerald Queen Casino. BHP has also built the largest professional MMA series on the USA’s west coast with “Cage Sport MMA” nearing more than 50 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.
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