Weekend Preview: May 11th & 12th

This is your super-sized weekend preview. There are five shows happening this weekend worthy of your attention, plus must-see TV on the FX Network with the Ultimate Fighter Live.

What ever you decide to do this Mother's Day weekend, get out and see some live MMA!


First up tonight is Faction 3. Matt Jordan's new promotion returns to the Moolah Shrine Temple in West County for its third show. The promotion keeps getting better. The Shriners will play host in an excellent venue in a great centralized location.

A few minor last minute lineup changes, but a solid card headlined by the rematch between Damian Newman and Fierce Taylor. The two battled to a draw at Fight Me in early April, and tonight they'll do it again with a Spire Regional belt on the line. Read our fight preview for more about these two.

Also on the card is Jake Duff taking on Jason Powell. The big boys will throw down, Charles Rodgers and Brandon Gibson in a super-heavy weight match. Hard punching Travis Draper will take on Cody Weiley in a K1 match.

Main card:
Damian Newman vs Fierce Taylor - Spire Regional 135
Jason Powell vs Jake Duff - Faction 155
Donte Butler vs Steve Barbee - Faction 125
Charles Rodgers vs Brandon Gibson - FAction 265+
Tim Brazzle vs Scott Futrell
Travis Draper vs Cody Weiley

Faction 3
Friday - May 11th
Moolah Shrine Temple - St. Louis, MO
Event starts @ 7:30

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Make sure you set your DVR for The Ultimate Fighter Live on the FX Network. Pacific's Justin Lawrence is set to compete in the semifinals of the reality show's lightweight elimination tourney. Lawrence will be taking on a tough opponent in Michael Chiesa out of the Sikjitsu camp in Spokane, WA.

Make sure you check out our article from yesterday where we speak with Lawrence's coach and father, Benny Voyles.

The Ultimate Fighter Live
Friday - May 11th
Live on FX @ 9:00

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Saturday is where it gets interesting with 4 shows happening simultaneously.

Coming off the Spire "Fight Card of the Year" in December, The Gateway Fight League returns for GFL:8. After speaking with matchmaker Adam Merseal, its clear he isn't interested in trying to recreate history, he's looking to find fresh talent and make new stars.

Saturday's card is headlined by Justin Werts and Demagio Smith which has the potential for an electric three rounds as both fighters are tough to put away. Also look for the return of the team from Fort Riley Combatives. For more on the squad lead by charismatic Jon Mekne check out our article from Monday.

Main Card:
Justin Werts vs Demagio Smith
Zach Short vs Josh Welbourn
Robert Greenlee vs Damian Beacham
Michael Jeude vs Ben Taylor
Ryan Moss vs John Nixon

Gateway Fight League: 8
Saturday - May 12th
Knights of Columbus Hall - DeSoto, MO
Event starts @ 7:00

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Jim Smothers Jr's American Cage War returns to Pacific, MO. This promotion has had some talented folks pas through its cage, and features several of the talented gyms southwest of St. Louis. Saturday's event is headlined by CJ Hunter and Harlan Feutral.

Main Card:
CJ Hunter vs Harlan Feutral
Mike Wright vs Nick Ivey
CJ Johnson vs Charles Talley
Ronnie Lawrence vs Jennifer Reed
Ronneal Mayes vs Ed Kania

American Cage War: 8
Saturday - May 12th
Pacific Eagles Hall - Pacific, MO
Event starts @ 7:30

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Jermaine Andre MMA is presenting "Fight for Our Troops" on Saturday at America's Center in downtown St. Louis. With proceeds from the show benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project, The Mission Continues, and The Guardian Eye Fund.

The event will feature 10 MMA and 3 K1 bouts with the main event between Bo Kunz and Daniel McClendon. Kunz always brings it, and expect this to be no different.

Main Card:
Bo Kunz vs Daniel McClendon
Brandon Karcher vs Demond Dorse
Nikki Smith vs Sara "Shortie" Allen
Kain Royer vs Jabari Dill
Aaron Highfill vs Jessie Farmer

Fight for the Troops
Saturday - May 12th
America's Center - St. Louis, MO
Event starts @ 7:00

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Last, but not least, is the Dustin Pierson Memorial Championships. Hosted by Granite City's CMMA and the Pierson Family, this show will honor the memory of Dustin "Duddy" Pierson who died tragically in a motorcycle accident one year ago. The winner of the main event between Kenny Nienhaus and Josh Crouch will receive one year of tuition at their training facility courtesy of the Pierson Family.

This family friendly event will feature live music as well as boxing, K1, and MMA exhibitions with Crouch and Nienhaus in the main event.

Crouch and Nienhaus were supposed to fight earlier in the year, and this bout between two top 10 bantamweights, should be exciting.

Check out our article from last week for more on the 1st Annual Dustin Pierson Memorial Championships.

Dustin Pierson Memorial Championships
Saturday - May 12th
Pierson Pavillion / CMMA - Pontoon Beach, IL
Doors open @ 5:30