By Paul Delos Santos

Josh LaBerge went to train with Greg Jackson’s elite camp in Albuquerque, NM. He used the new training regiment and plans on using it in his upcoming WCF fight with Dan Bonnell.

Josh LaBerge and Dan Bonnell will be fighting at WCF 8 tonight.

Josh LaBerge admits that he isn’t the most technical fighter in the world, but states he is probably one of the toughest.

He is confident that he will give Dan Bonnell a tough fight tonight as part of the WCF card in Shriner’s Auditorium.

“I’m just a rugged dude, and (Bonnell) hasn’t fought anybody as tough as me,” LaBerge said. “I haven’t even broken the seal of my talent. Read more »

Returning to his home in the Northeast and hoping to rebound from back-to-back losses in World Extreme Cagefighting, Mike Campbell tonight headlines World Championship Fighting’s latest card.

Campbell (6-2) takes on Mike Medrano (4-3) at WCF 8, which takes place at the Shriner’s Auditorium in Wilmington, Mass.

As Campbell this week told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio), fighting for the WCF, which is one of the sport’s most successful regional promotions, gives him a chance at redemption.

The hard-hitting Campbell began his pro fighting stint in 2006. After opening his career with a split-decision win, Campbell posted five consecutive stoppage victories due to strikes (including a four-second KO win in his third fight) to earn a contract with the WEC. Read more »

WCF’s Joe Cavallaro joined the Beatdown crew on Friday to discuss his up coming card in Wilmington MA on Sept. 26

http://www.sherdog.com/radio/Beatdown-Joe-Cavallaro-1187

This Saturday, September 26, WCF 8 is set to take place from their usual venue, the Shriner’s Auditorium in Wilmington, MA. Not to kiss my own ass, but the fight card is absolutely fantastic, and one of the best we’ve ever had. On top of that, a Guest Appearance will be made by Kimbo Slice, and Gary Hoey will be back to play the national anthem.

There have been some changes since we released the full card, and I think you’ll all be pleasantly surprised. Let’s get right into previewing the fights. (this is not necessarily the fight order) Read more »

It was a cut on his forehead that gave Hitalo Machado away. stealthily

“The day before the weigh-in, I told my mom I was going to a fight, and she thought it was another jiu-jitsu tournament,” Machado was saying Monday night. “After the fight (in April), I called her and I said, ‘Mom, I’m at the hospital, and I’m getting stitched up.’

“She said, ‘How could you get cut? It was a jiu-jitsu tournament.’ I said, ‘Mom, it was an MMA fight.’ She didn’t even believe me.”

And so, three years after his first MMA fight, Machado’s mother – even though they are originally from Brazil and part of a family that is entrenched in martial-arts training – finally found out he was fighting.

Now, the 23-year-old from Danbury, Conn., hopes it doesn’t take the rest of the MMA world quite as long.

His next step is a matchup against John Benoit in the Massachusetts-based World Championship Fighting’s Saturday event in Wilmington, Mass. The 155-pound fight against the more-experienced Benoit could’ve been seen as a boost to his career, but then, Machado has been battling more experienced fighters throughout most of his career.

Even though he trained at the American Top Team gym in Connecticut, and even though his instructor, Luigi Modelli, is a jiu-jitsu black belt, Machado and his teammates have struggled for attention in New England.

But he feels he’s ready for more. With a 4-3 record, Machado has fought a majority of his opponents on their home turf, but he’s as experienced in martial arts training as many up-and-comers out there. In judo since a young age, jiu jitsu since age 13 and Muay Thai not long after, Machado had put in plenty of time at the gym. Read more »

By Steven T. Kelliher

After debuting two years ago as the most highly-anticipated New England fighting promotion in the short history of mixed martial arts, World Championship fighting will be putting on its eighth event tomorrow night with a total of 14 professional MMA bouts pitting some of New England’s most promising young prospects—along with a few proven veterans—against one another at the Shriner’s Auditorium in Wilmington, MA.

Also in attendance will be current TUF 10 cast member and all-around Internet sensation Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, continuing the promotion’s trend of arranging for big name guest appearances at almost every one of their events. Past guests have included Kenny Florian, Marcus Davis, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and UFC President Dana White. Read more »

Age: 26

Hometown: Burlington, V.T.

Fight Team: B.J.J. Revolution

Occupation: Car Salesmen

High School Attended: Burlington High

Sports played in High School: No

How did you get involved with Martial Arts: I was introduce to it by my classmates at the Jiu Jitsu academy where I train.

What is your fighting style: Brazilian Jiu Jistu

When was your first MMA fight: October 2006

Who is your favorite fighter: Old school Wanderlei Silva

Why do you fight: Its fun

What do you like to do relax: Hang out with the kids and my girlfriend

Favorite food: Sea food

Do you have as superstitions: Nope

If you could fight any fighter alive or died who would it be and why: Roger Huerta when he first came into the U.F.C.

In terms of fighting where do you see yourself in 10 years: Still Fighting

First car:1990 Pontiac Grand Am

Are you single: Girlfriend

What was you favorate fight and why: Ricardo Arona vs Shogun Rua.  I am a big fan of all of the hammer fist that Shogun unloaded on Arona.

Signiture move: Knees to the head

Best finish: Knock out in one of my amateur fights

Anyone you’d like to thank: Everybody at B.J.J. Revolution in Burlington and the Green Mountain Boys Fight Club

World Championship Fighting’s next event on September 26th in Wilmington, Mass. is set up to be everything and more than the first seven events have shown, which says a lot about the organization.

The question is can they live up to the hype? If the first seven shows are any indicator, then Massachusetts residents had better get ready for a great night of fights.

WCF 8 has a wealth of youthful, yet experienced fighters who have already fought in big time promotions. For example, WCF 8 will highlight WEC veteran Mike Campbell who has looked good in his two WEC appearances, but lost to a very slick Anthony Pettis and to UFC veteran Danillo Villefort. Read more »

Age: 29

Hometown: Wilmington Mass

Fight Team: Renzo Gracie New Hampshire/ Professional Martial Arts Academy

Occupation: Boston Brawler store manager/ MMA instructor

High School Attended: Wilmington High School

Sports played in High School: Wrestling, Football, Track

How did you get involved with Martial Arts: Seeing a friend of mine name Chris
Grandmaison fight I just knew I had to try it.

What is your fighting style: Striker

When was your first MMA fight: 2004

Why do you fight: I am really competitive and I love the feel of it.

What do you like to do relax: Hang out with the family and playing with my kids

Favorite food: Brazilian Barbque

Favorite band: Dave Matthews Band

Do you have as superstitions: I stay up late the night before my fight so my body gets
used being up at the time I fight the next day. I also like to cut weight because it makes me feel like I am getting ready for a fight. The last thing I do is call Scotty Rehm and he gets me spiritually ready for the fight the next day.

If you could fight any fighter alive or died who would it be and why: Jose Aldo because we would put on a heck of a show.

In terms of fighting where do you see yourself in 10 years: I will be done but still involved in the sport in someway.

First car: 97 Ford Thunder

Are you single: I am engaged to my fiancé Lauren

Signature move / Best finish: The right had

Anyone you’d like to thank: Boston Brawler, Renzo Gracie New Hampshire/ Professional Martial Arts Academy, Defense Soap and my fiancé Lauren.

A UFC pay-per-view in Boston?

It could happen — and probably will before too long, according to fighting insiders.

Mixed martial arts events are legal in Massachusetts; World Championship Fighting, a rough equivalent of baseball’s Triple-A level, competes in the state all the time. But UFC itself won’t compete anywhere it’s not officially regulated. Read more »