Battlecade Extreme Fighting
Industry | Mixed martial arts promotion |
---|---|
Founded | November 1995 |
Founder | Rick Blume |
Headquarters | New York City, New York , United States[1] |
Key people | Rick Blume, president and CEO Donald Zuckerman, executive producer John Perretti, matchmaker |
Battlecade: Extreme Fighting, sometimes referred to simply as Extreme Fighting, was a mixed martial arts promotion which hosted four events in the United States and Canada between 1995 and 1997. Although few events were held, a number of well known fighters competed for the promotion. Battlecade CEO Rick Blume is credited with coining the phrase mixed martial arts and the promotion was the first to implement weight classes in MMA.[2]
Despite the number of fighters which the promotion was able to attract, Battlecade struggled financially and had trouble with authorities over the sanctioning of MMA bouts. Following the fourth and final Extreme Fighting event, General Media International, Battlecade sponsor and publisher of Penthouse, withdrew their financial support of the promotion. Additionally, cable television providers Tele-Communications Inc. and Request TV refused to air further Extreme Fighting events.[3]
History
Extreme Fighting 1
The first Extreme Fighting event was planned to be held in
This event also featured a four-man middleweight tournament, showcasing
In addition to the two tournaments held that night, the event featured Ralph Gracie and a bout between Carlson Gracie Jr. and John Lewis which ended in a draw after twenty minutes.
Extreme Fighting 2
On April 26, 1996, a second Extreme Fighting event was held in
Ralph Gracie returned to action and was declared Extreme Fighting Lightweight Champion after defeating Steve Nelson via submission in the first round of their bout.
Despite arrangements made with the Kahnawake tribal council for the event to be held, Montreal authorities arrested a number of the evening's competitors, the referee, announcer, and Battlecade's matchmaker following the event.[6]
Extreme Fighting 3
Matt Hume and Erik Paulson, who both went on to become well known trainers after their fighting careers ended, battled until Paulson suffered a cut in the third round of their bout.
Igor Zinoviev retained his middleweight championship after fighting to a draw with John Lober. A bout between John Lewis and Vale Tudo fighter Johil de Oliveira also ended in a draw.
Ralph Gracie submitted Ali Mihoubi via
- defeated Abdelaziz Cherigui via armbar.Extreme Fighting 4
The final Extreme Fighting event was held in
Matt Hume proved victorious against Miletich Fighting Systems founder Pat Miletich, who suffered a fight-ending broken nose. Allan Goes defeated Todd Bjornethun via triangle choke, while Erik Paulson fought Paul Jones to a draw.
Finally, Maurice Smith defended his heavyweight title against Kazunari Murakami. Their bout ended decisively, as Smith knocked Murakami out in the first round.
Neither the middleweight or lightweight titles were defended on the final Extreme Fighting card, as champions Igor Zinoviev and Ralph Gracie did not appear. Zinoviev was unable to compete because of a separated shoulder. Gracie's scheduled opponent, Luta Livre fighter Eugenio Tadeu, was unable to attend the event and Battlecade could not find a replacement in time.[8]
Extreme Fighting Champions
Heavyweight Championship
- Weight limit: Unlimited
No. | Name | Date | Location | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marcus Silveira (def. Gary Myers) |
November 18, 1995 (Extreme Fighting 1) |
Wilmington, North Carolina, US |
|
2 | Maurice Smith
|
October 18, 1996 (Extreme Fighting 3) |
Tulsa, Oklahoma, US |
|
Middleweight Championship
- Weight limit: 200 lb (90.7 kg; 14.3 st)
No. | Name | Date | Location | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mario Sperry )
|
November 18, 1995 (Extreme Fighting 1) |
Wilmington, North Carolina, US |
|
Lightweight Championship
- Weight limit: 150 lb (68.0 kg; 10.7 st)
No. | Name | Date | Location | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ralph Gracie (def. Steve Nelson) |
April 26, 1996 (Extreme Fighting 2) |
Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
|
References
- ^ "Battlecade Inc. Trademark Information". Trademarkia.com. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
- ^ "MMA History VIII: From Russia with Leglocks". Kid Nate at BloodyElbow.com. 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2010-11-30.
- ^ Pitchforth Patton, John (1997). "Extreme Fighting Event Refuses to Quit". Black Belt. 35 (7): 96.
- ^ Goldsmith, Tami; Coleman, Jim (1996). "Extreme Fighting Event an Extreme Disappointment". Black Belt. 34 (3): 10–11, 24.
- ^ "No Holds Barred: John Perretti on Igor Zinoviev-Mario Sperry Fight from Extreme Fighting 1". Eddie Goldman at ADCombat.com. 2010-01-16. Archived from the original on 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
- ^ [1] Statement from Battlecade LLP., sponsors of "Extreme Fighting 2", Donald Zuckerman, executive producer., 1996-04-29
- ^ Pitchforth Patton, John (1997). "Olympic Gold Medalists Impressive at Extreme Fighting 4". Black Belt. 35 (7): 98.
- ^ Pitchforth Patton, John (1997). "Olympic Gold Medalists Impressive at Extreme Fighting 4". Black Belt. 35 (7): 98.