Fight Card for Journey Fight Series IX

The finale for the Journey Fight Series 160lb tournament is set for March 2nd in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Shane Campbell and Sean McKinnon will meet in the main event of Journey Fight Series IX in what is expected to be an exciting fight. Campbell defeated Nate Chambers and Troy Sheridan to punch his ticket to the finale, while McKinnon defeated Rhys Jones and Preston Baptiste to secure his spot. The winner of the bout will be the new WMC 160lb North American Muay Thai Champion.

In addition to the event several of Canada’s top amateurs will be in action on the night. Journey Fight Series IX is the 2nd annual fundraiser event for breast cancer hosted by Journey Fight Series. $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to a breast cancer foundation.

Fight Card:

Shane Campbell vs. Sean McKinnon (160lb tournament final)

Chris McMillan vs. Andrew Lewis

Melissa Reaume vs. Ashley Nichols

Niko Bersamina vs. Jake Peacock 

Janice MacAulay vs. Christina Peteraf

Ron Pearce vs. Justin Garant

Zach Darling vs. Kris Leal

Andrew Vandervalden vs. Jarrod Gault

Kelsey Andries vs. Nichole Glazik

Sterling Love vs. Owen Burroughs

Kara Freilich vs. Molli Barg

Journey Fight Series VIII Live Play by Play and Results

Journey Fight Series VIII is taking place tonight and will feature the semi-final bouts of their 160lb tournament. For those that can't watch the stream on GFL.tv you can keep up with all the action here.

The night's main event will feature a bout between Nate Smandych and Matt Embree. Smandych was originally set to fight Sean Kearney, but an injury forced him out of the fight and Embree stepped in on one weeks notice.

The tournament semi-final bouts will feature Sean McKinnon vs. Preston Baptiste and Shane Campbell vs. Troy Sheridan. 

Stay tuned  here for live updates of the event's pro fights.

Opening Pro Bout:
Matt Embree vs. Nate Smandych

Rd. 1
Push kick by Embree to start. Leg kick by Embree. Another leg kick by Embree. Smandych taking the center of the ring but not really landing anything. Both fighters looking to feel each other out. Inside leg kick by Smandych. Embree with a teep. Hook by Smandych. Leg kick by Embree and a cross by Smandych. Flying knee by Embree blocked by Smandych. Right by Smandych lands and Embree clinches but nothing happens in the clinch. 10-9 round for Embree.

Rd. 2
Smandych with a right hand. Body kick by Embree. Smandych checks a leg kick. Embree attacking the lead leg of Smandych. Leg kick by Smandych. Left hook by Smandych. Leg kick by Embree. Right by Embree followed by a leg kick. Clinch and Embree lands some knees to the body. Body kick by Embree. Leg kick by Embree connects followed by another. Embree really looking to work those leg kicks. 10-9 round for Embree.
 
Rd. 3
Smandych starts with a teep. Smandych lands a few punches and they clinch. Embree with round knees from the clinch. Low kicks by Embree. Both fighters land some punches. Clinch and some knees to the body are exchanged. Pace is starting to pick up know. Nice short elbow from Smandych in clinch and Embree working knees to the body. Right hand followed by a left elbow land for Embree. Clinch but not much happening. Push kick by Embree. Clinch and knees to the body from Embree. 10-9 round for Embree.

Rd. 4
Right hand by Embree, and then he catches a Smandych kick and sweeps him. Clinch and Smandych knees Embree’s legs. Embree letting his hands go, but good defense by Smandych. Leg kick by Embree, but Smandych connects with a cross. Teep by Embree and then they clinch as Smandych moves in with punches. Smandych is bleeding from the left side of his face. Clinch and Embree tosses Smandych down. The doctor is going to check the cut and the fight continues. It is a deep cut though. Left hook from Embree. They both land punches. Jab by Embree lands. Smandych pressing forward and lands a right hook. 10-9 round for Embree.

Rd. 5
Jab by Embree. Smandych moving forward knowing he is behind. Teep by Embree to the face of Smandych. Body kick by Smandych then Embree with a low kick. Right hand by Embree. Left hook by Embree. Right hook by Smandych. Clinch and knees to the body by Embree. Push Kick by Embree. Smandych ties for a and elbow but it looks like this one is out of reach. 10-9 Embree.

Results: Matt Embree def. Nate Smandych via Unanimous Decision

Tournament Semi-Final Bout:
Shane Campbell vs. Troy Sheridan

Rd. 1
Sheridan comes out aggressive. Campbell connects with a punch and Sheridan is caught of balance. They clinch but not much action. Leg kicks by Campbell. Sheridan looking for the clinch. They exchange knees. Uppercut by Sheridan and the clinch. Sweep by Shane Campbell. Body shot by Campbell. Sheridan gets tossed by Campbell again. Leg kick by Sheridan. Hook followed by a body kick from Campbell. Uppercut sneaks in by Campbell. Hook and body kick by Sheridan. Elbow by Cambpell. Left by Sheridan and uppercut by Campbell. 10-9 round for Campbell.

Rd. 2
Campbell has a small cut above his eyebrow. Teep by Campbell. Leg kick by Campbell. Clinch and knees from Campbell. Right hand by Campbell and a leg kick follows. Campbell is pairing up his punches and leg kicks well. Left hook by Sheridan and then a hook to the body by Campbell. Leg kick by Campbell. Left hook by Sheridan. Jab by Sheridan and then they clinch and knees to the body from Sheridan. Leg sweep by Campbell. Leg kick by Campbell. Sheridan pressing forward and Campbell counter fighting well. Leg kicks from both fighters. Sheridan with a left hook then Campbell with two teeps. 10-9 Campbell.

Rd. 3
Campbell comes out pressing the action and Sheridan meets him in the middle. Leg kick by Sheridan and then a leg kick by Campbell. Sheridan stalking and lets his hands go. They clinch and a few knees from Sheridan. Campbell attempts a spinning heel kick but Sheridan blocks. Leg kick from Campbell. Left hook from Sheridan. Clinch but not much action. Sheridan starting to let his hands go and then Campbell works the body with punches and follows with a leg kick. Left hook followed by leg kick for Sheridan. Campbell attacking the front leg and they clinch and round ends. Close round. 10-9 Campbell.

Rd. 4
Sheridan with a punch combo and then Campbell answers with a teep to the face. Sheridan with a leg kick. Body kick by Sheridan. Uppercut by Campbell. Leg kick by Sheridan. Body shot by Campbell then a knee to Sheridan’s body. Nice hand combo by Sheridan. They clinch and short knees from Campbell. Campbell pushes Sheridan down after landing a knee. Campbell starting to connect with strong shots and Sheridan seems to be slowing down. 10-9 round for Campbell.

Rd. 5
Sheridan needs to finish the fight in this round if he wants to win. Campbell comes out firing punches and leg kicks. Elbow by Sheridan. Right and then left hook for Sheridan. Double body kick by Campbell. Sheridan looking tired and has slowed down this round. Knee to the face by Campbell from the clinch. Final minute and Sheridan needs to land something that ends the fight or this fight is Campbell’s. Campbell with a knee from the clinch. Left hook by Sheridan and then teep followed by a leg kick for Campbell. 10-9 round for Campbell.

Result: Shane Campbell def. Troy Sheridan via Unanimous Decision

Tournament Semi-Final Bout:

Sean McKinnon vs. Preston Baptiste

Rd. 1
Both fighters feeling each other out early. No one committing to anything. Low kick by Baptiste. They both exchange kicks. Body kick by Baptiste. Low kick by McKinnon. Low kick by Baptiste. Jab by McKinnon and then leg kick and body kick by McKinnon. Close round, but 10-9 to McKinnon.

Rd. 2
McKinnon pressing the action and a leg kick by Baptiste. High kick blocked by Baptiste. A lot of defense by both fighters. Left cross land for Baptiste. Leg sweep by Baptiste. Super man punch by McKinnon lands. Clinch and both exchange knees to the body. High kick by McKinnon and Baptiste slips. Baptiste throws a kick and McKinnon catches it and sweeps him. 10-9 round for McKinnon.

Rd. 3
Leg kicks back to back land for McKinnon. Jab by McKinnon. Right hand by McKinnon followed by a low kick. Elbow by McKinnon. Baptiste checks a leg kick then push kick to the body sends Baptiste to the canvas. Baptiste moving a lot but not throwing many strikes. Right hand from Baptiste. Right hand by Baptiste again and then a leg kick. Left hook by McKinnon. Body kick by McKinnon and round ends. 10-9 McKinnon.

Rd. 4

Two teeps by McKinnon. Leg kick by McKinnon. Baptiste pressing forward and McKinnon with a right hook. Left hook by Baptiste and they clinch and McKinnon works some knees. Jab by McKinnon. Jab by McKinnon. Baptiste with a right hand. Clinch and Baptiste working knees. Push kick by McKinnon. Low kick by Baptiste and then low kick by McKinnon. Low kick by McKinnon. Jab by McKinnon. Baptiste pressing forward but not firing anything. Kick caught by McKinnon and he sweeps Baptiste. 10-9 round for McKinnon.

Rd. 5
Baptiste with  a leg kick. Baptiste pressing and they clinch and Baptiste with a powerful dump. Right hand by Baptiste and then a right hand by McKinnon. Clinch and not much happens. Low kick by McKinnon and then a head kick by McKinnon lands and Baptiste looks hurt. Right hand by McKinnon and he is trying to finish and another right lands followed by another and Baptiste takes a knee. Baptiste gets an eight count. Jumping elbow by McKinnon and then Baptiste just misses with a spinning elbow. Clinch and they break immediately. Right hand by McKinnon and then a left hand. McKinnon putting on the pressure and the round ends. 10-8 McKinnon.

Result: Sean McKinnon def. Preston Baptiste via Unanimous Decision

Shane Campbell talks upcoming fight agianst Troy Sheridan in the semi-finals of the Journey Fight Series tournament

Shane Campbell (@ShaolinStyleMMA) will be taking on Troy Sheridan (@SheridanMMA) on November 3, 2012 at Journey Fight Series VIII as part of the semi-finals of the 160lb tournament. Campbell punched his ticket into the semi-finals with a knockout of Nate Chambers; he now takes on Sheridan who is currently on a five fight win streak. Shane took some time from his busy schedule to answer a few questions for Muay Thai Authority about the upcoming bout.

MTA: Shane you are fighting Troy Sheridan in the Journey Fight Series 160lb tourney semi-finals. How familiar are you with Troy?

Shane: Yes I am. I have known Troy for many years. I have known his coach and team since I first started as an amateur.

Sean McKinnon talks upcoming Journey Fight Series tourney bout against Preston Baptiste

Sean McKinnon will be looking to advance to the finals of the Journey Fight Series 160lb tournament when he takes on Preston Baptiste (@OronoJr) on November 3, 2012 in Calgary. McKinnon was kind enough to take time off from his busy schedule to answer a few questions about his upcoming fight against Baptiste.

MTA: You are fighting Preston Baptiste in the Journey 160lb semi-finals. How do you feel about the match up?

Sean: I’m feeling good about the match up. I’ve been training hard and think I will fight well.

MTA: How familiar are you with Preston as a fighter, you fought as amateurs correct?

Sean: I’m not super familiar, we fought in 2009…. So we’ve both had plenty of time to grow as fighters. I’m not expecting him to fight the same way he did previously. I don’t watch videos of my opponents, I prefer to prepare by training, and just doing my own thing when I get in the ring. This way I’m not confused if my opponent fights differently than what I expected.

Journey Fight Series VIII fight card set

The Journey Fight Series 160lb tournament semi-finals are set to take place November 3 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The nights’ tournament will feature Shane Campbell (@ShaolinStyleMMA) vs. Troy Sheridan (@SheridanMMA) and Preston Baptiste (@OronoJr) vs. Sean McKinnon. The winner of each fight will meet at the tournament final which is right now expected to take place in January.

Headlining the event will be a fight featuring two Canadian young guns in Nate Smandych (@TeamSmandych) and Sean Kearny. The bout will be a re-match from Journey Fight Series VII; Kearney defeated Smandych by split decision. With the first fight having been so close it will be interesting to see if either fighter can take full control of this bout or if we are in for another close fight.

The remainder of the card will feature amateur bouts with some of Canada’s best prospects.

Shane Campbell replaces Pascal Jean-Michael in Journey Fight Series 160lb tournament

Journey Fight Series VI is set for June 9th in Calgary, Canada. The event will mark the opening round of the eight man 160lb tournament, and although it seemed the eight man field was set a few weeks ago there has been a change. Pascal Jean-Michael has been forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury. Stepping in to replace him is Canada’s Shane Campbell.

Campbell has been active in MMA in the last year and a half after making the transition over from Muay Thai. Long regarded as one of Canada’s top fighters, his return to action in a tournament as such will add to what is already to expected to be an exciting tournament.

Sean McKinnon, Marcus Fisher and Pascal Jean-Michael official for Journey Fight Series 160lb tournament

Sean McKinnon, Marcus Fisher and Pascal Jean-Michael are officially part of the Journey Fight Series 160lb tournament. Of the eight fighters that have verbally agreed, promoter Trevor Smandych has verified with Muay Thai Authority that McKinnon, Fisher and Jean-Michael have signed their contracts.

The remaining fighters expected to participate in the Journey Fight Series 160lb tournament are Troy Sheridan, Daniel Kim, Nate Chambers, Ken Tran and Preston Baptiste. The tournament is set to kick off June 9th in Calgary.

Keep checking back here Muay Thai Authority for the latest Journey Fight Series 160lb tournament news as well as all other Muay Thai news. You can also like our official facebook page or follow us on twitter @MuayThaiAuth to keep up with all the news.

Nate Chambers and Troy Sheridan fill final two slots in Journey Fight Series 160lb eight man tournament

The final two slots for the Journey Fight Series 160lb eight man tournament have been filled. Nate Chambers and Troy Sheridan have both verbally agreed to fill the two remaining spots in the tournament. When the first round of invitations were sent out in mid March six of the eight fighters originally contacted verbally agreed to participate in the tournament.

The tournament field now includes four American fighters and four Canadian fighters. The four Americans are Nate Chambers, Marcus Fisher, Daniel Kim and Pascal Jean-Michel. The four Canadians slated for the tournament are Tory Sheridan, Ken Tran, Sean McKinnon and Preston Baptiste.

Six fighters verbally agree to compete in the Journey Fight Series 160lb 8-man tournament

Eight invitations were sent out to fighters for the Journey Fight Series 160lb tournament. Of the eight fighters that received an invitation for the June 9th event in Calgary, six have verbally agreed. The six fighters are Sean McKinnon, Ken Tran, Preston Baptiste, Daniel Kim, Marcus Fisher and Pascal Jean-Michael.

The 160lb tournament is the second eight man tournament that will be hosted by Journey Fight Series. Last year they held a 140lb tournament which featured the likes of Coke Chunhawat, Matt Embree and Josh Palmer.

We will keep you up to date here at Muay Thai Authority as the fighters officially sign to participate in the tournament. You can also like our official facebook page or follow us on twitter @MuayThaiAuth to keep up with all the news.