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Full fights from #SFSMar16 are available below… enjoy!

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Tune into theScore on Thursday, March 29^th at 9:00pm (EST) to re-live all the top action from the recent The Score Fighting Series event, featuring the biggest fights and the best finishes.

The two-hour show will feature all the main card fights from the March 16^th Hamilton, Ontario, event, including:

• Lyndon Whitlock Vs. Corey Houston
• Alexi Ricci Vs. Iraj Hadin
• Forrest Petz Vs. Sergej Juskevic
• Josh Hill Vs. Eric Wilson
• John Alessio Vs. Ryan Healy

And on Friday, March 30^th at 10:30pm EST, fight fans will be able to catch the first of a series of new one-hour The Score Fighting Series shows. Check the listings below for dates, times and featured bouts in all upcoming shows.

Show #1 – Craig Hudson Vs. John McPherson, Jason Meisel Vs. Mike Sledzion and Shane Campbell Vs. Derek Boyle

• Friday, March 30 @ 4:00pm EST
• Sunday, April 1 @ 3:00pm EST
• Friday, April 20 @ 10:30pm EST

Show #2 – Lyndon Whitlock Vs. Corey Houston, Adam Assenza Vs. John Roche and Josh Hill Vs. Eric Wilson

• Friday, April 6 @ 10:30pm EST
• Saturday, April 21 @ 1:00pm EST

Show #3 – Forrest Petz Vs. Sergey Juskevic, Ricci Vs. Hadin and John Alessio Vs. Ryan Healy

• Saturday, April 7 @ 1:00pm EST
• Friday, April 13 @ 10:30pm EST

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FULL PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE EVENING CAN BE FOUND HERE.

HAMILTON, March 16^th, 2012 – Before a capacity crowd at Hamilton Place Theatre in Hamilton, Ontario, The Score Fighting Series lightweight (155 pounds) main event fighters John “The Natural” Alessio (34-14) of Las Vegas, Nev. via Duncan, BC and “Diamond” Ryan Healy (19-10-1) of Portland, Ore. lit-up the venue with an all-out firefight before Alessio emerged the victor by way of unanimous decision after three rounds.

Fast-rising bantamweight (135 pounds) star Josh Hill (8-0) of Hamilton extended his perfect record with a dominant performance and unanimous decision victory over Eric Wilson (5-2) of Saskatoon in the co-main event.

Both Alessio and Healy came out of the gates ready for a stand-up war, but it was the 32-year-old Alessio, a veteran of UFC, PRIDE and WEC who put Healy down with a sharp jab in the early going and continued to tag Healy with punches throughout the round after Healy made it back to his feet.

Healy began to turn the tables in the second stanza, connecting with punches to the head and body that staggered and gradually slowed Alessio down.

In the third round, a bloody Alessio scored two takedowns on Healy. On both occasions, Alessio took his opponent’s back, but couldn’t finish Healy before the final bell sounded.

“I said coming into this fight that this guy has zero quit in him,” said Alessio. “I said he could take abuse. He dished out abuse too. I hope I showed I can take a pounding. I knew I (shouldn’t) go too crazy on him because he’s one of those guys who will turn it around on you and he did.”

The 25-year-old Hill scored a total of four of takedowns on Wilson over the course of three rounds. Wilson, a seasoned grappler known for his slick groundwork, fought off his back and fended off Hill’s punches from guard position in the first two rounds.

In the third stanza, Hill scored the fourth takedown of the fight and made his way to full mount position, raining down furiously on Wilson with punches. Wilson repeatedly popped his hips up and rolled.

While he was unable to escape the mount, Wilson survived the final round before the Hill was awarded the decision.

In other main card action and what will likely be nominated for Fight of the Year, UFC veteran Forrest “The Meat Cleaver” Petz (24-9) of Cleveland, Ohio staged a monstrous comeback after being sent to the canvas early in the first round with a hook from Sergej Juskevic (11-7-2) of Toronto via Lithuania in a welterweight (170 pounds) battle.

Seemingly out on his feet from Juskevic’s relentless barrage of punches and knee strikes, Petz suddenly showed life and began countering Juskevic’s shots with his own knees and hands before the opening round came to a close.

In the second frame, the high-speed pace continued as Petz rocked Juskevic and sent the Lithuanian import to the ground with a right hand. Petz pounced on the downed Juskevic and fired a series of left and right hands from top position.

After the pace of the action slowed on the mat, the referee stood the two fighters up. Once again, Petz wasted no time going back to work, blasting Juskevic until the referee stepped in and stopped the fight, giving Petz the TKO victory.

In another highlight – not just of this evening but the history of The Score Fighting Series events – Lyndon Whitlock defeated Corey Houston with one of the greatest knock-outs ever seen inside the SFS cage. A mainstay for highlight reels to come.

Twenty nine-year old lightweight (155 pounds) rising star Alex Ricci (5-0) of Woodbridge, Ontario extended his perfect professional record by taking out Iraj Hadin (6-4) of Portland with a single counter left hand that put Hadin on the canvas in the first round of action. Ricci, a dangerous kickboxer, fought off an early takedown attempt by Hadin and exploded on his opponent with a right hand that put Hadin down and brought the fight to an end.

CompleteThe Score Fighting Series Results:

Main Card:
Lyndon Whitlock def. Corey Houston via KO (punch) – Round 1, 4:28

Shane Campbell def. Derek Boyle via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Alex Ricci def. Iraj Hadin via KO (punch) – Round 1, 3:16

Forrest Petz def. Sergey Juskevic via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:25

Josh Hill def. Eric Wilson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

John Alessio def. Ryan Healy via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card:

Craig Hudson def. John McPherson via KO (punches) – Round 1, 1:57

Adam Assenza def. John Roche via TKO (verbal submission) – Round 1, 4:17

Elias Theodorou def. Erik Herbert via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Jason Meisel def. Mike Sledzion via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Ryan Healy and John Alessio make weight

FOR FULL WEIGH IN PHOTO GALLERY, VISIT OUR SCORE FIGHTING SERIES FACEBOOK PAGE

155 – John Alessio (155.6) vs. Ryan Healy (155)

135 – Josh Hill (134.8) vs. Eric Wilson (134.8)

170 – Forrest Petz (169) vs. Sergej Juskevic (168.8)

155 – Alex Ricci (155.4) vs. Iraj Hadin (155.6)

155 – Shane Campbell (155.4) vs. Derek Boyle (155.4)

145 – Lyndon Whitlock (145.4) vs. Cory Houston (145.2)

265 – Craig Hudson (260.0) vs. John McPherson (260.4)

155 – Jason Meisel (156.8)* vs. Mike Sledzion (156)

155 – Adam Assenza (155.6) vs. John Roche (153.6)

185 – Elias Theodorou (185) vs. Erik Herbert (185.6)

*Jason Meisel has one hour to cut the remaining 0.8 pounds

Don’t forget to watch our live stream during the fights if you can’t join us live – www.thescore.com!

The Score Fighting Series will be available by Live Stream on Friday Mar 16 starting at 7:30pm ET. Visit www.thescore.com at that time to view the event live from start to finish!

Ryan Dickson vs. Brandon Johnson in a welterweight battle
Erik Herbert vs. Elias Theodorou in a middleweight bout
Rich Clementi bout postponed due to opponent’s injury

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TORONTO, February 29th, 2012 – The Score Fighting Series has announced two additional bouts for its Friday, March 16th event at Hamilton Place Theatre in Hamilton, Ontario. Undefeated grappling wizard Ryan Dickson of Hamilton, On. will take on Brandon Johnson of Grand Ledge, Mich. at welterweight (170 pounds) and unbeaten prospect Elias Theodorou of Mississauga, On. will face off with former United States Marine Erik “The Bull” Herbert of Buffalo, N.Y. in a middleweight (185 pounds) contest.
Former UFC star Rich Clementi’s next bout with The Score Fighting Series, originally slated for the March 16th fight card, has been postponed due to an injury sustained by his scheduled opponent, Kajan Johnson. This was despite efforts to secure an alternative opponent.

The 22-year-old Dickson (2-0), a protégé of MMA icon Jeff Joslin, compiled an unblemished amateur (6-0) record before turning professional, and has still yet to be beaten. In his last bout for The Score Fighting Series on Dec. 3, Dickson finished Josh Taveirne by submission (rear-naked choke) in the second round. He was originally due to fight Christopher St. Jean until injury struck the welterweight from Ottawa.

Johnson is looking to win his first professional bout inside enemy territory. As an amateur, the 24-year-old amassed a stellar record of 10-1, with 7 of his victories coming by way of KO or submission.

The 23-year-old Theodorou (2-0) is a highly-touted striker who has finished both of his professional opponents to date. In his debut on June 17, 2011, he punished Tanner Tolman, stopping Tolman with a series of punches and elbow strikes inside of the opening round of action, and three months later, Theodorou submitted Steve Hodgson with a rear-naked choke in the second stanza of their meeting.

“We both feel confident in our striking and I will rise to the challenge,” Theodorou said regarding the upcoming matchup with Herbert. “I have a pace I don’t think he’ll be able to keep up with. I feel comfortable and confident standing up or on the ground and, no matter where it goes, I will be the one that comes out on top.”

Outside of MMA, Herbert, 25, has competed in the sport of Muay Thai, under both amateur (4-1) and professional (1-0) status over the course of the last five years. While serving in the Marine Corps, he competed for the military branch’s wrestling team.
“[Theodorou’s] more of a Muay Thai stylist, more of a stand up guy but so am I,” stated Herbert. “I don’t have any problem exchanging strikes with him on my feet.”

In 2009, Herbert received an honorable discharge from the United States military, allowing him to maintain a more aggressive training regime and, beginning with his March 16th bout, Herbert said he will be far busier in competition than he has been to date.

The entire card now lines-up as follows:
155lbs – John Alessio (33-14) vs. Ryan Healy (19-9-1)
135lbs – Josh Hill (7-0) vs. Eric Wilson (5-1)
170lbs – Sergey Juskevic (11-6-2) vs. Forrest Petz (24-9)
145lbs – Jeff Harrison (5-4) vs. Will Romero (7-3)
155lbs – Alex Ricci (4-0) vs. Iraj Hadin (6-3)
155lbs – Shane Campbell (3-1) vs. Derek Boyle (7-5)
145lbs – Lyndon Whitlock (5-2) vs. Corey Houston (4-1)
170lbs - Ryan Dickson (2-0) vs.  Brandon Johnson (2-1)
155lbs – Jason Meisel (2-0) vs. Mike Sledzion (3-2)
155lbs – Adam Assenza (0-1) vs. John Roche (0-0)
265lbs - John McPherson (1-1) vs. Craig Hudson (1-1)
185lbs – Elias Thedorou (2-0) vs. Erik Herbert (3-1)

Tickets for The Score Fighting Series event start at $30 and are on sale now at the Copps Coliseum box office and online at www.ticketmaster.ca. The entire event will be streamed live on thescore.com starting at 7:30pm.

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TORONTO, February 23^nd, 2012 – The Score Fighting Series has announced three additional bouts for its Friday, March 16^th event at Hamilton Place Theatre in Hamilton, Ontario. Hard-hitting featherweight (145 pounds) Will “Leon” Romero of Brampton will take on Muay Thai striker Jeff Harrison of Ottawa and undefeated lightweight (155 pounds) prospect Alex Ricci of Woodbridge will square off with rugged ground and pound specialist  Iraj “Cold Blooded” Hadin of London.

In preliminary card action, former “Fight of the Night” winner Adam Assenza of Burlington will battle John Roche of Toronto at lightweight.

Both the 29-year-old Romero (7-3), a member of the Iron Tiger Muay Thai stable, and the 30-year-old Harrison (5-4) will put winning streaks on the line when they meet in the cage.   Harrison, who fights out of Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts (OAMA) and was a multi-time amateur Muay Thai champion before turning professional as a mixed martial artist, has won his last three contests and will be looking for vengeance in the matchup with Romero, a winner of his last two fights, after Romero battered and defeated Harrison’s teammate, Stephane Bernadel, in The Score Fighting Series’ last event in Hamilton on Oct. 14, 2011. (CLICK HERE to watch the bout between Romero and Bernadel)

With four victories, all by way of KO or TKO, in his first four professional starts, the 29-year-old Ricci (4-0) will face his toughest test to date in Hadin (6-3), a 30-year-old product of Adrenaline Training Center, which also serves as home to UFC stars Mark Hominick, Sam Stout and Chris Clements.

Ricci, a seasoned Muay Thai stylist, scored a memorable KO in his last start on October 14^th, 2011, sending Tim Smith to the canvas with a head kick followed by a series of elbow strikes.  To date, Ricci has not been pushed past the second round of a fight. (CLICK HERE to watch the bout between Ricci and Smith)

For his part, Hadin has emerged a credible force in the lightweight division, taking out two of Quebec’s top prospects in Samuel Guillet and Derek Gauthier, in his last two starts.  Hadin scored a second round TKO (elbow strikes) on Guillet on November 13^th, 2010 and earned a unanimous decision over Gauthier on April 9, 2011.

Assenza (0-1) will seek his first professional victory after losing a close split decision to Jason Meisel in a bout that was awarded “Fight of the Night” honors at The Score Fighting Series event on October 14^th, 2011. (CLICK HERE to watch the bout between Assenza and Meisel) Roche (0-0) will make his pro debut after going unbeaten (2-0) as an amateur.

Tickets for The Score Fighting Series start at $30 and are on sale now at the Copps Coliseum box office and online at www.ticketmaster.ca.

In the lightweight main event, superstar John Alessio (33-14) will face off with Strikeforce and WEC veteran and Team Quest member “Diamond” Ryan Healy (19-9-1). For more on Alessio, check-out this video feature from theScore.com.

In a featured welterweight (170 pounds) contest, UFC veteran Forrest “The Meat Cleaver” Petz (24-9) of Cleveland, Oh. will take on kickboxing champion Sergej Juskevic (11-6-2) of Toronto via Lithuania.

Undefeated Stoney Creek sensation Josh Hill (7-0) will lock horns with rising star Eric Wilson (5-1) from Saskatoon at bantamweight (135 pounds).

Unbeaten Jason Meisel (2-0) of Caledonia will battle Mike Sledzion (3-2) of Barrie at lightweight.  Lyndon Whitlock (5-2) of Hamilton will face Corey Houston (4-1) of Winnipeg at featherweight.  John McPherson (1-1) of Hamilton will throw down with Craig “War Dog” Hudson (1-1) of Brantford in a heavyweight (max 265 pounds) collision.

World Muay Thai champion Shane Campbell (5-1) of Stoney Creek will go to battle with fellow power striker Derek Boyle (7-5) of Lethbridge, Alberta at lightweight and unbeaten prospect Ryan Dickson (2-0) of Hamilton will face an opponent to be announced soon.  Dickson’s original opponent, Chris St. Jean, has been forced out of the matchup due to injury.

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TORONTO, February 16th, 2012 – The Score Fighting Series has announced two additional bouts for its Friday, March 16th event at Hamilton Place Theatre in Hamilton, Ontario. World Muay Thai champion Shane Campbell of Stoney Creek will face off with fellow power striker Derek Boyle of Lethbridge, Alberta at lightweight (155 pounds) and unbeaten prospect Ryan Dickson (2-0) of Hamilton will duke it out with Chris St. Jean (5-3) of Ottawa at welterweight (170 pounds).

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TORONTO, February 14^th, 2012 – The Score Fighting Series has announced another main card match-up for its Friday March 16^th event at Hamilton Place Theatre in Hamilton, Ontario.  In a welterweight (170 pounds) affair, UFC veteran Forrest “The Meat Cleaver” Petz (24-9) of Cleveland, Ohio will take on kickboxing champion Sergej Juskevic (11-6-2) of Toronto via Lithuania.

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