MMA: Keeney, Bennett to Fight for Interim Heavyweight Title at Cagesport XV

Author:: Opposing Views Staff
Updated:: Mar 1, 2018
Original:: Jul 14, 2011

Mixed martial arts returns to Tacoma as Brian Halquist Productions presents CageSport XV at the Emerald Queen Casino on Saturday.

The stellar card features a total of 10 professional MMA bouts with a main event for the CageSport Interim Heavyweight Championship between challengers Kyle Keeney and Josh Bennett.

Originally the main event was to feature current heavyweight champion Nick Braker defending his title against the No. 1 contender Kenney.

A blood infection has sidelined the champion, leaving Keeney (11-5) and Bennett (15-12) left battling it out for the interim crown.

Keeney, who defeated former CageSport heavyweight champion Matt Kovacs at CageSport XIV, will be seeking some revenge as Bennett scored a split decision victory over him as amateurs.

“The winner of this bout will face Braker in a mandatory title fight in an upcoming CageSport event,” said promoter Brian Halquist. “This has the potential to be a better fight than Keeney and Braker. Bennett’s 6-4 and weighs 260 pounds. So he will have a size advantage, but Kenney comes to fight every time. This should be a war. There’s a lot at stake.”

In addition to the heavyweight interim title bout, Justin Davis meets George Stork in 189-pound semi-main event.

“I’ve watched George fight a couple of times. I just know he is a good striker and I think we’re going to put on a good show,” said Davis, who returned from an 18-month hiatus from the sport to defeat Landon Showalter at CageSport XIII on Feb. 19. “The crowd should expect fireworks. The people want to see a fight and a fight is what they’re going to get.”

Also on the card is the rubber match between Eddie Blackburn and Justin Gardner.

Blackburn won the inaugural meeting, winning by second-round TKO, before Gardner scored a 23-second knockout in the rematch.

First fight on the card will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35, $55 and $100 and are available at the Emerald Queen Casino box office 1-888-831-7655 and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

For more information please visit www.Halquistproductions.com.

THE FIGHT CARD

Josh Bennett vs. Kyle Keeney (CageSport Heavyweight Interim Championship)

Justin Davis vs. George Stork

Eddie Blackburn vs Justin Gardner

Tim Abell vs Ryan Mulvihill

Ernesto Tuscano vs Darrell Fenner

John Dawson vs Corey Roska

Wes Golden vs Josiah Mitchell

Omar Avelar vs Scott Brown

Jorey Taylor vs Will Hunt

Brad Nordquist vs Craig Jackson