The 46th NAACP Image Awards are airing live Friday, February 6 at 8/7c on TV One, and this year's show is going to be big.
Our host, Anthony Anderson, is sure to keep you laughing all evening long, but the star power doesn't end there. The top names in film, TV, music, and literature are coming together Friday night to celebrate an incredible year of arts and entertainment.
http://www.naacp.org/news/entry/anthony-anderson-to-host-the-46th-naacp-image-awards
Passengers aboard the train and bystanders captured the chaotic scene unfolding after a Metro-North train crashed into a sport-utility vehicle on Tuesday, killing six people.
I'm sending a budget to Congress to kick off an important, and often difficult, process of deciding how our government should use taxpayer dollars.
Most years, this debate goes on behind closed doors in Washington, with too much input from special interests and lobbyists.
I think that should change. I know you're someone who cares deeply about where we go as a nation.
That's why OFA is asking people like you to make your voice heard in this debate -- will you join in?
Making budgets is something everyone does -- they're the truest measure of our priorities.
As Vice President Biden likes to say, "Don't tell me what you value. Show me your budget, and I'll tell you what you value."
I started the conversation during the State of Union by proposing ways to expand economic opportunity for the middle class, and make critical investments in infrastructure and education.
The budget I'm presenting today lays out exactly what else we can do to keep our families strong -- ways to make paychecks go further, raise wages, and create good jobs here at home. I'm also proposing that we re-evaluate how we make spending cuts -- because they shouldn't be made blindly across the board, as they have been in years past.
I suspect that some members of Congress will have their own ideas about what our priorities should be.
So do you.
This directly affects your life -- you need to have a say in it. This can't be a conversation that happens only in the halls of the Capitol.
OFA was founded to make sure the voices of ordinary Americans are heard in Washington.
That's why I hope you'll be part of this, with OFA or in any way you can -- say you will today:
http://my.barackobama.com/Have-a-Say-In-This-Debate
Thanks,
Barack Obama
New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp, state Department of Revenue Services
(DRS) Commissioner Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director for Connecticut
Association for Human Resource James Horan, VITA Volunteer and Policy
Analyst for Connecticut Voices for Children Nick DeFiesta, and Senior
Tax Consultant for Internal Revenue Service Ron Peruzzi will kick off a
free tax assistance program for working families at a City Hall press
conference Wednesday morning.
The city’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Coalition (VITA) provides
tax preparation guidance, including advice about the state’s Earned
Income Tax Credit (EITC), and suggestions about how to manage any
anticipated income tax refund.
The announcement by Mayor Harp and others is scheduled for Wednesday,
February 4th on Floor 2 of City Hall: 165 Church Street, at 10:00 a.m.
Members of the press are invited to cover this event.
● Who: New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp, DRS Commissioner Kevin
Sullivan, Executive Director for Connecticut Association for Human
Resource James Horan, VITA Volunteer and Policy Analyst for Connecticut
Voices for Children Nick DeFiesta, and Senior Tax Consultant for
Internal Revenue Service Ron Peruzzi.
● What: Kick off and promotion of a free tax assistance and
guidance program available for working families.
● When: Wednesday, Feburary 4th 2015 at 10:00 a.m.
● Where: Floor 2 of New Haven City Hall, 165 Church Street, New
Haven.
● Why: To ensure working families in New Haven have access to
proper tax preparation guidance and suggestions, including referrals to
the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
###
Kanye West, Paul McCartney and Rihanna to perform on Music's Biggest Night !!!
MAYOR HARP TO PRESENT ‘STATE OF THE CITY’ REMARKS AT BOARD OF ALDERS MEETING TONIGHT
New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp will attend tonight’s meeting of the
Board of Alders and present to its members her ‘State of the City’
remarks. The mayor’s address is listed on the board’s agenda for
tonight; the Board of Alders meeting is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.
Tonight’s meeting will be held in the Aldermanic Chamber on the
second floor of City Hall: 165 Church Street in New Haven. Members of
the press corps are invited to attend tonight’s meeting and provide
coverage of the mayor’s remarks.
● Who: New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp and the city’s Board of
Alders.
● What: State of the City remarks at regular meeting of the
Board.
● When: Tonight, Monday, February 3, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
● Where: Aldermanic Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 165 Church
Street, New Haven
● Why: To present State of the City remarks to members of the
board.
###
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., grabbed The AP NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year award for 2014. Beckham is best known for the play of the year, his one-handed snag of a touchdown pass while falling backward against Dallas.
NEW HAVEN CITYWIDE, EMERGENCY PARKING BAN WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT OVERNIGHT
NEW HAVEN CITYWIDE, EMERGENCY PARKING BAN WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT
OVERNIGHT
New Haven – Mayor Toni N. Harp said this afternoon that provisions of
the citywide, emergency parking ban will remain in effect overnight
tonight. The parking ban includes an outright prohibition on downtown
streets and Emergency Snow Routes, and no parking on the odd-numbered
side of the remainder of city streets.
Mayor Harp reinforced the public safety concerns prompting the parking
ban. “The snow and ice deposited by this winter storm has to be
cleared away before it freezes – the parking ban allows snow removal
equipment better access to city streets to allow private vehicles to
pass but most importantly, to allow fire trucks and ambulances to get
through if and as necessary,” Mayor Harp said.
City officials also announced that the downtown portion of the ban,
inside Howe Street, Martin Luther King Boulevard, State Street and Grove
Street, will be rescinded Tuesday morning at 6:00. New Haven Public
Schools officials will make a decision about Tuesday operations at 5:00
a.m.
Mayor Harp also reminded residents that Governor Malloy signed an order
extending property tax filing deadlines statewide.
###
The Islamic State group has acknowledged for the first time that its fighters have been defeated in the Syrian town of Kobani and vowed to attack the town again. Meantime, residents are assessing the damage from the months-long battle
Lightning Luis
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
The much-anticipated main event featured Philadelphian Karl "Dynamite" Dargan (17-1, 9 KOs)* against Tony "The Lightning" Luis (28-5, 18 KOs) for the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Championship.
The first round started slow with both fighters feeling each other out. Luis appeared to control the second round keeping Dynamite on the ropes. Dargan was down in the third and the referee ruled it a slip. Luis continued to be the aggressor in the fourth. Dargan began to return fire late in the fourth and Luis thew a punch after the bell that enraged Dynamite.
Dargan and Luis
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Tony continued to throw bunches of punches to start the fifth including an aggressive body attack. In the later rounds Luis continued to be the aggressor keeping Dargan up against the ropes. Dargan suffered an injury to his left eye in eighth round but the doctor deemed him okay to continue to the ninth round.
Luis and Dargan
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Dynamite landed a hard shot in the tenth but Luis countered and knocked down Dargan. He managed to finish the fight but, unfortunately, the cards were not in his favor. Tony Luis won via unanimous decision with the final score 97-92, 99-90 and 97-92 and handed Dynamite his first career loss.
Lacy and Barrera
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
In the middle fight of the telecast, Cuban sensation Sullivan Barrera (15-0, 10 KOs) stopped veteran Jeff "Left Hook" Lacy (27-6 18 KOs). Barrera knocked Lacy to the canvas in the first round but he managed to recover and finish the round.
Barrera and Lacy
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Both fighters settled in by the third round. However, it was short lived because in the fourth round Lacy could no longer withstand Barrera's attack and the referee stopped the fight with Lacy still on his feet.
Lamour and Falowo
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
The live ESPN2 Friday Night Fights telecast began with an eight round battle for the New England Middleweight Championship between Thomas "The Souljah" Falowo (13-3, 8 KOs) of Pawtucket, Rhode Island and Russell "The Haitian Sensation" Lamour (11-1, 5 KOs) of Portland Maine. The Foxwoods' crowd was fired up from the beginning for this local showdown. These fighters were not strangers as they had faced each other several times as amateurs. They took no time to feel each other out and came out swinging from the first bell.
Falowo, who only has one amateur win against Lamour, was clearly the aggressor in the early rounds. By the sixth round, Falowo started to tire and Lamour took advantage of his fatigue, but Falowo managed to end strong.
Lamour and Falowo
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
The seventh round was uncharted territory for both competitors. Prior to the fight Falowo said the later rounds would be the difference-maker for him. He continued to put the pressure on Lamour in the seventh round.
In the eighth and final round Falowo looked determined to secure a knockout. By the end of the fight the crowd was on their feet at Foxwoods and Lamour and Falowo were both trading big shots.
Falowo and His Corner
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Falowo walked away with the unanimous decision victory and the New England Middleweight Championship with scores of 78-74 and 77-75 (twice). He also handed Lamour his first professional defeat and only his second victory over "The Haitian Sensation."
Foster and Pryor
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
In the first fight of the night to go the distance, local light heavyweight Charles "The Truth" Foster (7-0, 3 KOs) defeated Washington, DC native Larry Pryor (9-9, 5 KOs) via unanimous decision. The bout was six rounds and the judges scores were: 60-54, 59-55 and 60-54 in favor of Foster.
Mosley Jr. and Machado
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Middleweights Shane Mosley, Jr. (3-1, 3 KOs) and Rafael "The Penguin" Machado (0-3) were scheduled for four rounds of action. However, Mosley, Jr. knocked down Machado twice in the third before the referee stopped the fight.
Mosley Sr., Mosley, Jr., and Mayweather, Sr.
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Working Mosley, Jr.'s corner were his father "Sugar" Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather, Sr.
Oltmanns and Tapia
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Heavyweight Keith "Machine Gun" Tapia (13-0, 8 KOs) of Santurce, Puerto Rico stopped Jesse "Street Fighter" Oltmanns (10-5, 7 KOs) of Bartonsville, PA in the first round in the second bout on the card.
Whitmore and Reyes
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
In the first fight of the evening, Philadelphia's Khalib "Big Foot" Whitmore (6-1, 5 KOs) squared off against Carlos Reyes of Kuarny, AZ (7-5-1, 5 KOs). Reyes knocked Whitmore down twice in the second before the referee called the fight to an end at 56 seconds into the second round handing Whitmore his first career defeat.
Wilson and Rodriguez
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
In the final bout of the evening, David Wilson (5-0, 1 KO) of New Haven, Connecticut knocked out Michael "The Reason" Rodriguez (0-3) of New York, New York in the final round of the four-round middleweight swing bout.
Cassius Chaney's bout was cancelled after his scheduled opponent failed a medical exam and a replacement could not be found in time.
*Note: All records have been updated to reflect tonight's results.
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Check out the top 10 plays so far this season from 2015 NBA All Star Game Reserve, Russell Westbrook, of the Oklahoma City Thunder
Photo courtesy of Will Paul
REIGNING CES MMA lightweight champion Julian Lane of Mansfield, Ohio, left, returns to national television Friday, Jan. 30th, 2015 to defend his title against Boston's Lucas Cruz on the main card of "CES MMA XXVII" live from Twin River Casino on AXS TV. Lane is fighting on AXS for the second time since beating Providence's Luis Felix in August. There are six televised
CES MMA WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION CHUCK O'NEIL
On whether or not certain fighters excel when the pressure's on): "I think that's definitely a fair statement to make because there a lot of fighters I've trained with and they go out and they over-perform and you're like, 'Whoa! Where the hell did that come from?' and, not to throw out any names because that's disrespectful, some guys you see in training they don't look as great and then they go out and fight their butt off and you're impressed. There are definitely guys like that. I'm a hard worker that lets his hard work be shown in the cage. That's where I fit in."
(On fighting for a nationally-televised event): "The cameras don't bother me at all. Every time you walk out you get a little nervous, you get a little butterflies in your stomach because you care so much about it, but if you didn't care you wouldn't get nervous and that's something to worry about. My coach, Nate Ryan, always tells me, 'All these people are here to watch you do something they can't do, so go out and live in that moment.' It's going to come and it's going to go really fast, but go out there and love it. It's a different situation for me because I don't fight because I have to. I fight because I love it. I've got a job, I've got a career, I've got a degree, but it's different because I love doing it. It's fun being out there."
(On what his plans are following Friday's fight): "I don't worry too much about it. I don't want to overlook this fight and say, 'What's next?' The only thing I know is next is the next night I'm going to be at the Beyond Wrestling event at Fete Music. Other than that, I'm going to be eating a lot of pizza. That's what next after this fight."
EMMANUEL WALO
(On his military experience helping him in MMA): "I was in the Army National Guard. I'm a sergeant currently. I've been in for about seven and a half, eight years. I spent a year in Iraq from June of 2008 to June of 2009. When the cage door closes, it's just me and you, but what's the worst that's going to happen? You tap me out or you knock me out? I'm still going to be alive. Guys over there, they fight and they're dying. I get to fight and win or lose at the end of the day I still get to go home and be with family and everything like that so that's something I appreciate greatly. Some of our guys over there won't get that chance. It's one and done for them. They don't get to tap out. They don't get to say, 'Okay, I'm done and I will come back next fight.' That's it."
(On his process for studying film of his opponent): "I'm middle ground. I want to watch it but I don't want to become too obsessed with it because then you start focusing on what they do rather than what you do. I watch it to see what he does, like pick up some points and everything, but I don't have a keen eye for that. I leave that up to my coaches like my coach here, Mark Hong, I leave it up to James Meals, Jamal Patterson. They watch it, they break down the film and they tell me, 'Hey, this might work here, this does that.' Me? I'm just watching like, 'Oh ... okay,' but I'm not really good at breaking down film. That's what I have coaches for."
(On his strategy for fighting Chuck O'Niel): "I got here doing what I do. Why would I switch now and start doing what he does? That's where people make the mistakes. You've got to use what you've got, what got you to the point where you are. If you're a wrestler, you wrestle. You're a jiu-jitsu guy? Submit guys. There's a great quote that Royce Gracie said: 'Why would you box Mike Tyson?' If you're a jiu-jitsu guy, why not take him to the ground and submit? Why would you stand up with him and get your head knocked off?"
BRETT OTERI
(On facing The Ultimate Fighter alum Jon Manley): "I've seen some of Jon's fights. I think he's a real nice kid. I talked to him at the NAGAs a couple of times. I think I was supposed to fight one of his teammates like four times. Twice I fell out, twice he fell out, so we know each other a little bit. He likes to grapple, he likes to grind. He's not a finisher, so we're kind of opposite in that way. I don't want a decision. I hate decisions. I hate them. I almost consider them losses. I haven't had one in a long time. I'd honestly rather lose a fight and get stopped then have a boring decision. I always try to do what I can to keep a pace that hopefully will get the fight ended. I'm going to look to do the same with Jon. I don't think it's going to be the biggest challenge of my career."
(On recovering from his loss to Shedrick Goodridge in 2013): "I had sustained a concussion about four days before the fight, a pretty bad one in training. On the fence about fighting. Got caught with a knee by Shedrick maybe 45 seconds into the fight and never felt the same. Never had felt like that in a fight. I've got to give that kid all the credit, though. He fought well. I had him deep in some submissions that I thought was going to end the fight. He got out, fought through it, and eventually I came to a point where I literally had no energy. I felt like all the blood in my body was gone. I couldn't contract any of my muscles, I couldn't do anything. I just looked at the referee and said, 'I'm done.' But he did a great job. He hung in there. If I could've finished him before I gave up, then I would've, but it wasn't a good feeling and if I ever get a concussion again I won't be fighting."
(On what his next step is following Friday night): "Watch my buddy Chuck [O'Neil] go back to the UFC, fight whoever has his title at that point, win that, fight a few more times for CES. I'm in no rush at this point. I'm not looking to get out of it. I'm 37 and I feel 25. I train with 25-year-olds and I do well with them. I'm not thinking like I was a couple years ago about taking it one fight at a time. I'm pretty much planning on fighting until I'm 40, maybe 42. I look at guys like [Dan] Henderson. Not a good showing in his last fight, but there are a lot of guys now, even Vitor [Belfort] and guys at the very, very top of the sport who are not young. I'm keeping myself young, eating well, not drinking, training right, eating right all the time. I plan on having another dozen fights."
JON MANLEY
(On Oteri's claim that he won't press the action): "I'm definitely not content with going to a decision. There are a couple on my record, but I've been working very hard on my skills. I want to take him out in the first round. I get paid the same no matter, so the more time it takes the less money I make per unit."
(On how he sees Friday's fight unfolding): "I've watched most of his fights. I know he likes to kick, he likes to take people down. I think he shoots kind of wide. I think he's going to have a tough time taking me down. I think he gasses. I think he's going to have a hard time as things go on. I'm going to get stronger and stronger and he's going to start fading. I don't think he can keep up with me."
(On his experience competing on The Ultimate Fighter): "It helped me a lot. Just the mental game. There's so much pressure in that situation, so much you can get out of if or not get out of it. Obviously, it's a weird show where they really don't care about the fighters. It's more like reality TV. Having to fight underneath those circumstances, you just learn to deal with fighting a whole lot more. I was thinking about it Monday. I'm like, 'Wow, man, the fight's on Friday.' It feels like it's forever away because on the show at anytime they could be like, 'You're fighting this guy tomorrow,' and you're like, 'Okay.'"
- CES -
Karl "Dynamite" Dargan
"I feel like I was just here at Foxwoods yesterday. I want to thank Tony for accepting this challenge. We had a great camp. I go into every fight looking at it like it's a world championship fight. Tomorrow night they might like "Lighting" but when "Lighting" strikes "Dynamite" it is going to blow up. We will see what happens. Get there are early to see [Khalib] Whitmore and [Shane] Mosley, Jr."
"Lightning" Luis
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Tony Luis
"It is a pleasure to have everyone here. We are ready to give you guys a great show tonight and I am ready to put on the fight of my life."
Russell Lamour
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Russell Lamour
"I am glad to be here. I feel blessed to be fighting on this card. Come out tomorrow because I am going to put a show on and show the world what I can do."
Thomas Falowo
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Thomas Falowo
"Fighting is the easy part. I don't like this part. I feel grateful to be here. It is going to be great. I feel stronger than ever. I am ready to steal the show tomorrow."
Kathy Duva
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events
"Tomorrow, Friday Night Fightson ESPN2 starts at 9:00. This show has been the product with a lot of hard work. I could not have done it without my good friend Al Valenti.
"There is going to be "Lightning" and "Dynamite" in the ring and that is a combustible combination. We are very excited to show "Dynamite" in his first nationally televised main event.
"This fight is Karl stepping up in competition. Both "Dynamite" and "Lightning" came here to win."
Al Valenti
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Al Valenti
"Foxwoods has been a major player in boxing for over 23 years. It is so great to be here with Kathy and Main Events, the premiere in professional boxing. We have great confidence in this event. This is the coming together of a great boxing fraternity. There is a great local match. Russell Lamour and Tommy Falowo have met several times in the amateurs. This co-feature shows that the amateur program in the US is alive and producing future stars like these two. Tommy and Russell are here because they know the next step to becoming the next Karl Dargan is to perform well tomorrow night"
Greg Cohen
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Greg Cohen, Promoter for Tony Luis
"It is always terrific to do business with Main Events. This is going to be a special fight. Tony is one of the most professional fighters I have ever worked with. Tony just beat an undefeated kid (Wanzell Ellison) on ShoBox. Other fighters might shy away from fighting Dargan. There were other fights on the table but Tony jumped at this opportunity. I believe in him. He had an unbelievable training camp. Everybody should get ready because "Lighting" is going to strike tomorrow."
Brother Naazim Richardson
Photo Credits: David Spagnolo/Main Events
Naazim Richardson, Trainer for Karl "Dynamite" Dargan
"I would like to thank Kathy Duva and the staff at Main Events. I watched tape on Tony Luis and I like what I saw. He is an exceptional young athlete. My little cousin [Dargan] is something special also. We are going to put on a performance that will let the world know we are ready for the next level. The card is exceptional."
About January 30
Presented by Main Events in association with Greg Cohen Promotions, the Jan. 30 edition of Friday Night Fights on ESPN2 and will take place at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, CT. It features a ten-round lightweight battle between undefeated contender Karl "Dynamite" Dargan (17-0, 9 KOs) against Tony "The Lightning" Luis (18-2, 7 KOs) for the WBC Continental Americas Lightweight Championship in the main event. The co-feature is an eight-round middleweight bout between Thomas Falowo (12-3, 8 KOs) against Russell Lamour (11-0, 5 KOs). Bouts are subject to change. Tickets are $40, $60 and $75 and available now through Foxwoods.com and the Foxwoods box office. The doors will open at 5:00 PM ET and the Friday Night Fightstelecast will begin at 9:00 PM ET on ESPN2.
Dynamite" Dargan vs. Tony "Lightning" Luis Press Conference
pt2
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With baby number two on the way, Shakira's going to need a lot more space for her vacation hot spot. So, the hip shaking hot mama is selling her Miami Mansion for a whopping $13 million dollars. The two story home boasts six bedrooms, six bathrooms, a fitness room, two car garage, dock and pool. This will be Shakira's second time trying to sell the place she called home. Check out the video to get a look inside the house!
Officials say 66 students at a Southern California high school have been told to stay home through the end of next week because they may have been exposed to measles and are not vaccinated.
A group of thieves drove an SUV through the front door of the Wells Fargo Bank museum in San Francisco Thursday and stole at least ten thousand dollars in gold nuggets from a display case.
Photo courtesy of Will Paul
CES MMA LIGHTWEIGHT champion Julian Lane of Mansfield, Ohio, seen here celebrating his win over Luis Felix in August, returns to the cage Friday, Jan. 30th, 2015 to defend his title against Boston's Lucas Cruz on the main card of "CES MMA XXVII" live from Twin River Casino on AXS TV. An alum of The Ultimate Fighter reality television series, Lane is looking to break through in 2015 and reinvent himself as one of the top contenders in the 155-pound weight class
Out from under the shadow of reality TV, Lane prepares for first title defense Friday
LINCOLN, R.I. (Jan. 28th, 2015) -- No matter where he goes, Julian Lane can't escape his memorable stint on The Ultimate Fighter reality series, not even more than 600 miles east of his hometown.
As he prepares for the first defense of his CES MMA lightweight title Friday night in Rhode Island, Lane is waiting out this week's blizzard cooped up in the same hotel as former TUF teammate Jon Manley, who is also fighting on Friday's card.
The two never saw eye-to-eye while sharing the spotlight on national TV, with Manley going as far to suggest Lane's drunken exploits were nothing more than a ploy to get himself kicked out of the house instead of having to face the pressure of fighting on one of the sport's biggest stages.
"I don't know if he wants to see me or not," Lane said Wednesday after wrapping up a promotional vignette for AXS TV. "We really weren't that cool on the show, but he's a nice guy and all. I'm sure we'll say hi. I have no beef with the guy."
Lane (8-3-1, 1 KO) has matured since his breakthrough in 2012. He's still the same brash, outspoken fighter who nearly punched holes in the walls during his intoxicated rant on TUF, but after beating hometown favorite Luis Felix on AXS TV in August in front of a sold-out crowd at Twin River Casino, he's finally earning recognition as a legitimate contender in the 155-pound weight class, not just "the drunk on TV."
"Everybody said I couldn't fight, or that I was just there because of my Mohawk or my tattoos or how I run my mouth," said the 27-year-old Mansfield, Ohio, native, "but now everybody sees I'm full of talent.
"I've got a gift God gave me and I'm using it to my advantage. Hopefully, it gets me all the way to the top."
Fighting on AXS TV under the promotional guidance of CES MMA has allowed Lane to reinvent himself as a fighter. He'll get the opportunity to continue climbing the ladder Friday, Jan. 30th, 2015 when he defends his title in a five-round bout against Boston's Lucas Cruz(7-2, 2 KOs) on the main card of "CES MMA XXVII" at Twin River, one of two title fights scheduled for Friday's AXS TV broadcast.
Tickets for "CES MMA XXVII" are on $40.00, $55.00, $100.00 and $125.00 (VIP) and can be purchased online at www.cesboxing.com or www.twinriver.com or by phone at 401-724-2253/2254. All bouts are subject to change.
"There's nothing like fighting on national TV," Lane said. "You're on the spot right there. It's not prerecorded."
Life has changed for Lane since choking out Felix five months ago on national TV. No longer the underdog, Lane finds himself in an enviable position as the fighter everyone else is chasing after, desperate to get their hands on that championship belt.
"I've actually never been the guy holding the belt," Lane said. "Like they say, it's lonely at the top, man. It's true. But you've got to earn your keep. That's what I'm going to do."
The win over Felix also sparked a flurry of social media backlash from some of the region's top fighters, many of whom openly challenged Lane to put his title on the line.
"I'm basically like, 'Dude, catch up. You'll get your shot when you have your chance. Work hard enough to get your shot.' I put all my hard work, all my dedication, all my sacrifices for my kids and my family," Lane said. "I've earned my shot at the title. I'm here to prove my point. I'm the champ. I've got the belt, so of course everybody is coming at you now because you've got the gold and they're trying to get a meal ticket off of you.
"Everybody's trying to get their shot, man, and if it's by running their mouth, if they try to get it that way, then that's cool. I'm like, "Fuck that, man." Earn it with your hands. Earn it with your skill."
Felix controlled the pace in the fight against Lane, circling the cage and keeping Lane at a distance with solid right hands and leg kicks, but Lane wasn't just picking his spots. The reigning champ admits he sprained both of his ankles during the fight, which limited his mobility and forced him to switch up his game plan.
"He pulled back on some of the kicks I threw and I guess, like, if you graze someone with your kicks and land with your toes it really hurts bad, man, and I slam my kicks in there, so it caught me off guard," Lane said. "I slowed up kicking.
"As you could see, I wasn't kicking and in the third round that's why I was just standing in the cage. I was standing in the cage like, "Fuck it. I'm not moving no more. I'm just going to stand here and wait for him to come. I'm just going to fake that left and I know he's going to circle to my power." That's what happened. I faked that jab and threw the overhand."
Lane landed a clean shot, sending Felix crashing to the canvas, and quickly finished the fight with his "bread and butter" move, the guillotine choke. He admits he had trouble throwing high kicks during the fight - "whenever I do, I fall on my ass," he said - but has since fixed the problem with an impromptu trip to the spa.
"I went to get a pedicure the other day," Lane said with a laugh. "My feet are really soft, so now I've got some grip. You're going to see a hell of a lot more kicks."
Asked to describe Friday's opponent, Lane grimaced and offered only a generic scouting report, noting that Cruz "throws a lot of kicks and punches or whatever" while focusing more on what he plans to do once the door closes and the bell rings.
"I really don't look at what he's going to do. I worry about what I'm going to do," he said. "When I get in that cage I'm focused on what I'm doing and I'm going to work my game plan, push the pace and look for the finish."
It's business as usual for the reigning CES MMA champ, even after driving through blizzard-like conditions from Ohio to Rhode Island earlier this week to get an early ju mp on Friday's fight. On the surface, Lane is the same loose cannon who gained popularity with a nationwide audience on TUF - complete with all the tattoos and the unconventional hairstyle - but he's finally out from under the shadow of reality television, ready to earn praise for his skills inside the cage.
"I'm trying to build another name just to show my real character and show people the real me," Lane said. "They can actually see me fight instead of two-round exhibitions with no audience. I get my rage from the crowd, from the fans, from the hate, from the love, so that's what fuels my fire. There's nothing like fighting live."
The main event of "CES MMA XXVII" stars Bourne, Mass., welterweight Chuck O'Neil (14-6, 4 KOs) defending his CES MMA title against Jersey City's Manny Walo (7-1-1, 1 KO) in a five-round bout. Also on the main card, Dedham, Mass., welterweight Brett Oteri (12-5, 1 KO) battles Ludlow, Mass., vet Jon Manley (8-2) while Felix (11-8, 4 KOs) returns to face D'Juan Owens (11-8-1, 4 KOs) of Richmond, Va. East Providence, R.I., bantamweight Dinis Paiva (5-5, 3 KOs) opens the main card in a three-round bout against Matt Doherty (3-1, 4 KOs) of Salem, Mass.
The undercard of "CES MMA XXVII" features six bouts, including a three-round featherweight showdown between Kyle Bochniak (3-0, 1 KO) of Boston and Long Island vet Thomas English (5-5, 2 KOs) and a lightweight bout between battle-tested veteran Jeff Anderson (11-9, 2 KOs) of Pawtucket, R.I., and Andres Jeudi (6-4, 2 KOs) of Dorchester, Mass.
Middleweight Eric Spicely (5-0, 2 KOs) of Providence faces Kevin Haley (3-2, 1 KO) of Rollinsford, N.H.; and South Boston's James Murrin (2-1, 2 KOs) battles Baltimore's Robert Sullivan (4-3) in a featherweight bout. Flyweights Chris Cole (3-2) of Andover, Mass., and Dan Cormier (4-4, 1 KO) of East Providence, R.I., battle in a three-round bout and featherweight Rico Disciullo (3-0, 1 KO) of Peabody, Mass., faces newcomer Mak Kelleher of Selden.
- - CES MMA --
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