MATRIX FIGHTS IV - Card Updates
Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2011 9:25 pm
One of the biggest local fights in Philadelphia combat sports history is now set to go down on Friday, April 22 when welterweights Chris "Redline" Wing (2-0) and Jesus Martinez (5-0) headline Matrix Fights IV (http://www.MatrixFights.com) at the Sheet Metal Worker's Union Hall in South Philadelphia.
"The MMA community in Philadelphia was already buzzing about this fight before the contracts had even been signed," said Matrix Fights promoter Jimmy Binns Jr. "Since MMA was sanctioned in Pennsylvania, the area has seen some great fights featuring local fighters taking on someone from outside the area. But as far as a matchup between two area fighters going head-to-head, there hasn't been a bigger fight than the one we're going to put on April 22 featuring Chris and Jesus."
Both Wing and Martinez are viewed by many area pundits as the two fastest rising prospects from the Tri-State area in their respective weight class. The outcome of their fight will go a long way towards catapulting one of the fighters closer towards landing a multi-fight contract with a major national promotion.
"Two years from now, Jesus Martinez vs. Chris Wing is a fight you could easily end up seeing on a UFC, Strikeforce, or Bellator event," said Matrix Fights President Phil Migliarese. "However, in typical Philly fighter fashion, neither Jesus or Chris are backing down from a tough fight despite it coming so early in their respective careers. Philadelphia-area fight fans won't have to wait for the future to see these two guys fight because on April 22, the future becomes the present."
Wing has generated a great deal of buzz on the Internet, thanks in large part to a series of successful YouTube videos designed to highlight his electric brand of fighting. After compiling an impressive 8-2 record against the top amateur competition in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania regions, Wing turned pro this past June and knocked out Judo black belt Giedrius Karavackas at 2:14 of round 2. Several months later, Karavackas would go on to win the Bellator Fighting Championships regional tryouts held at Daddis Fight Camps in Philadelphia.
In his second pro fight, Wing required just 1:20 of round 1 to knock out Yusef Yoldas in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
"Chris is a real good opponent but inexperienced," said Martinez. "He's 2-0 but he hasn't really anybody yet. I'll be a strong test for him on April 22."
Martinez is correct in his assertion that when Wing steps into the cage on April 22, he will be facing his toughest competition to date. A former Combat in the Cage middleweight champion, the multi-skilled Martinez went 4-1 while competing under advanced amateur rules in the state of Delaware.
One of the area's most popular fighters, Martinez has built his record to 5-0 and has also competed for the nationally recognized King of the Cage promotion. Matched up with Cape Cod Fighting Alliance product Chip Pollard, Martinez improved his national profile at "King of the Cage: No Mercy" in Connecticut on Sept. 17 when he recorded a dominant decision victory en route to recording scores of 30-26, 30-25, and 30-24 on all three judges scorecards.
"People are saying that this is the biggest test for me yet. Wrong. I'm biggest test Martinez has ever had," stated Wing. "He's never fought anyone like me. Check my record on MixedMartialArts.com. There are NO 'T's' in front of my KO's. When I hit you I don't hurt you -- I cripple you."
Also signed for Matrix Fights IV is a heavyweight showdown between fast-rising heavyweight prospect Azunna "Zu" Anyanwu (2-0) and Bellator Fighting Championships veteran Greg Maynard (3-2). Anyanwu trains out of Daddis Fight Camps in Philadelphia and just recently won his second pro fight at a Locked in the Cage event this past Friday, needing just 1:04 of round 1 to knock out Corey Mullis. Anyanwu, who spent part of his training camp in Dallas, TX getting ready for the fight by training with former NCAA heavyweight standout Jared "Big Show" Rosholt and other members of Team Takedown, will face his toughest test to date against Maynard. In addition to competing for Bellator, Maynard most recently challenged another rising heavyweight prospect, Stipe Miocic, for the NAAFS heavyweight title. He also holds a notable victory over long-time MMA veteran Jonathan Ivey.
Additional matchups for the event will be announced in the coming days. For additional information pertaining to Matrix Fights IV, please visit http://www.MatrixFights.com or become a fan of Matrix Fights on Facebook (search: Matrix Fights). Tickets for the event are expected to go on-sale soon.
"The MMA community in Philadelphia was already buzzing about this fight before the contracts had even been signed," said Matrix Fights promoter Jimmy Binns Jr. "Since MMA was sanctioned in Pennsylvania, the area has seen some great fights featuring local fighters taking on someone from outside the area. But as far as a matchup between two area fighters going head-to-head, there hasn't been a bigger fight than the one we're going to put on April 22 featuring Chris and Jesus."
Both Wing and Martinez are viewed by many area pundits as the two fastest rising prospects from the Tri-State area in their respective weight class. The outcome of their fight will go a long way towards catapulting one of the fighters closer towards landing a multi-fight contract with a major national promotion.
"Two years from now, Jesus Martinez vs. Chris Wing is a fight you could easily end up seeing on a UFC, Strikeforce, or Bellator event," said Matrix Fights President Phil Migliarese. "However, in typical Philly fighter fashion, neither Jesus or Chris are backing down from a tough fight despite it coming so early in their respective careers. Philadelphia-area fight fans won't have to wait for the future to see these two guys fight because on April 22, the future becomes the present."
Wing has generated a great deal of buzz on the Internet, thanks in large part to a series of successful YouTube videos designed to highlight his electric brand of fighting. After compiling an impressive 8-2 record against the top amateur competition in the New Jersey and Pennsylvania regions, Wing turned pro this past June and knocked out Judo black belt Giedrius Karavackas at 2:14 of round 2. Several months later, Karavackas would go on to win the Bellator Fighting Championships regional tryouts held at Daddis Fight Camps in Philadelphia.
In his second pro fight, Wing required just 1:20 of round 1 to knock out Yusef Yoldas in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
"Chris is a real good opponent but inexperienced," said Martinez. "He's 2-0 but he hasn't really anybody yet. I'll be a strong test for him on April 22."
Martinez is correct in his assertion that when Wing steps into the cage on April 22, he will be facing his toughest competition to date. A former Combat in the Cage middleweight champion, the multi-skilled Martinez went 4-1 while competing under advanced amateur rules in the state of Delaware.
One of the area's most popular fighters, Martinez has built his record to 5-0 and has also competed for the nationally recognized King of the Cage promotion. Matched up with Cape Cod Fighting Alliance product Chip Pollard, Martinez improved his national profile at "King of the Cage: No Mercy" in Connecticut on Sept. 17 when he recorded a dominant decision victory en route to recording scores of 30-26, 30-25, and 30-24 on all three judges scorecards.
"People are saying that this is the biggest test for me yet. Wrong. I'm biggest test Martinez has ever had," stated Wing. "He's never fought anyone like me. Check my record on MixedMartialArts.com. There are NO 'T's' in front of my KO's. When I hit you I don't hurt you -- I cripple you."
Also signed for Matrix Fights IV is a heavyweight showdown between fast-rising heavyweight prospect Azunna "Zu" Anyanwu (2-0) and Bellator Fighting Championships veteran Greg Maynard (3-2). Anyanwu trains out of Daddis Fight Camps in Philadelphia and just recently won his second pro fight at a Locked in the Cage event this past Friday, needing just 1:04 of round 1 to knock out Corey Mullis. Anyanwu, who spent part of his training camp in Dallas, TX getting ready for the fight by training with former NCAA heavyweight standout Jared "Big Show" Rosholt and other members of Team Takedown, will face his toughest test to date against Maynard. In addition to competing for Bellator, Maynard most recently challenged another rising heavyweight prospect, Stipe Miocic, for the NAAFS heavyweight title. He also holds a notable victory over long-time MMA veteran Jonathan Ivey.
Additional matchups for the event will be announced in the coming days. For additional information pertaining to Matrix Fights IV, please visit http://www.MatrixFights.com or become a fan of Matrix Fights on Facebook (search: Matrix Fights). Tickets for the event are expected to go on-sale soon.