IT Fight Series returns to Lima on Saturday with 16 bouts, including UFC vet
IT Fight Series 31
IT Fight Series returns to Lima on Saturday night with its 31st event, at IT Fight Series 31 features a trio of pro bouts to go along with a 13-bout amateur card.
In the headliner, veterans Sean Barnett (4-8) and Matt Montalvo (6-11) will meet at a catchweight of 150 pounds. Other pro bouts feature UFC and “TUF China” veteran Albert Cheng (3-3) vs. Matthew Egner (4-5) at lightweight, and featherweights Curtis Doner (1-1) vs. Tray Taylor (0-3).
Both Barnett and Montalvo come in looking to snap losing streaks, as Barnett has dropped three straight while Montalvo has lost his last five. Both fighters have competed at lower weight classes in the past, but they meet at 150 pounds here.
Cheng, who hails from Canada and is of Chinese descent, looks for his second win under the IT Fight Series banner after picking up a win over Matt Brown last November. Cheng was coached by IT Fight Series owner Scott Sheeley during his time on TUF China, but he came up short in his official UFC debut, losing to Wang Anying at the show’s finale. Egner looks to extend his winning streak to three after picking up back-to-back wins over Dustin Kempf and Matt Anderson in his last two outings.
The 21-year-old Doner looks to move his professional record back above the .500 mark, as he has split his first two fights since making the leap to the pro ranks last year. Taylor is still looking for his first win as a pro in his fourth outing.
On the amateur side, the first IT Fight Series women’s champion will be crowned as Chelsea Faulder (3-1) takes on Anna Abrams (5-1). Faulder put on an impressive performance with an upset of Jayde Sheeley in her last outing at IT Fight Series 30 in January. The 20-year-old Abrams looks to claim her first MMA title before she can even buy a beer.
IT Fight Series 31 goes down on Saturday night at UAW Hall in Lima, Ohio.
The Official Lineup For IT Fight Series 31
Amateur Fights
Tommy Turbeville (0-0) vs. Tyler Long (0-0) – Middleweight
Ceaser Bonilla (0-0) vs. Donn Costello (2-0) – Middleweight
Cory Lininger (0-0) vs. Robert Potts (1-2) – Featherweight
Selo Ramjattan (0-0) vs. Ron Brown (0-0) – Lightweight
Alex Vera (0-0) vs. Alex Bowen (0-1) – Super Heavyweight
Alex Shultz (0-0) vs. Scott McClain (1-0) – Light Heavyweight
Tim Halfacre (1-0) vs. Brent Bacon (0-0) – Welterweight
Tim Eley (1-2) vs. Zac Utterbeck (0-3) – Featherweight
Dan Nowakowski (1-0) vs. Justin Richwine (2-1) – Heavyweight
Sarim Rahim (1-0) vs. Nicholas Pauff (0-0) – Lightweight
Quinn Staugler (0-0-) vs. Hayden Ring (0-0) – Lightweight
Bret Martin (0-0) vs. Cody Herbert (3-5) – Welterweight
Chelsea Faulder (3-1) vs. Anna Abrams (5-1) – Strawweight Title Fight (Female)
Professional Fights
Curtis Doner (1-1) vs. Tray Taylor (0-3) – Featherweight
Albert Cheng (3-3) vs. Matthew Egner (4-5) – Lightweight
Sean Barnett (4-8) vs. Matthew Montalvo (6-11) – Catchweight (150lbs)
(subject to change)
