"Battle At The Bellagio III" will be highlighted by K-1’s signature eight-man, single-elimination tournament as well as several, single "Superfights." Sefo, Le and Goodridge will compete in separate Superfights against opponents who have yet to be determined while Williams and Cooper will see action in the tournament. For each of the tournament competitors, the single-elimination playoff represents the final opportunity to qualify for a subsequent leg of competition that will take place on September 26th in Japan.

Sefo, a nine-year veteran of the K-1 circuit and a favorite amongst martial arts fight fans worldwide, put together his best career performance to date in Japan’s Tokyo Dome four years ago. During the annual "World Grand Prix Finals" eight-man tournament in 2000, the 33-year-old native of New Zealand defeated his first two opponents before finishing as the event’s runner-up. Last year, he was victorious in three of his four K-1 starts. Sefo’s hard-nosed style and charisma have earned him a slew of product endorsements and larger than life status in Japan.

A four-time K-1 Superfight victor, Le will attempt to bolster his perfect career record during the card’s sole San Shou rules bout. During K-1 "Battle At The Bellagio II" Superfight action on April 30th, the 32-year-old resident of San Jose, California repeatedly executed his brilliant throwing techniques against a persistent Brian Warren before gaining a unanimous judges decision win.

At 24 years of age, Williams is recognized as America’s brightest young talent. Last year, the Modesto, Californian rose to power when he defeated three straight opponents to take hold of the 2003 K-1 USA crown. On June 6th, Williams rebounded from a "Battle At The Bellagio II" tournament loss by stopping veteran Petr Vondracek inside of two rounds in Nagoya, Japan.

On April 30th, Cooper turned out his best K-1 tournament performance to date as he defeated Japan’s Nobu Hayashi and heavy-handed American boxer, "Mighty Mo," respectively before facing Michael McDonald in the event’s championship round. The 29-year-old Las Vegas hero, who holds two world kickboxing titles and a black belt in Kenpo Karate, went the distance with McDonald before placing as tournament runner-up. Also a professional boxer, Cooper has yet to be defeated in 12 starts.

The 38-year-old Goodridge, who signed a two-year fight contract with K-1 earlier this year, staged a heroic and courageous performance against the heavy-handed Toa during a "Battle At The Bellagio II" Superfight. After being smothered and backed into a corner early in the opening round of action by Toa’s persistent punching, Goodridge worked his way out of trouble with his own boxing combinations before scoring two knockdowns and earning a win by way of technical knockout at 2:43 of the same round.

Tickets for the August 7th K-1 event will be available for purchase both online in the K-1 USA website (www.k-1usa.net) store as well as at The Bellagio Hotel and Casino box office (1-800-963-9634). Tickets will be priced at $50, $100, $150, and $250, respectively.

Olson, in total control, raining down punches on Bongfeldt

For their latest incarnation, co-promoters Aric Wiseman and Charles Pearson though it was time to shake things up a little. They wanted to usher in a breath of fresh air from the standered "Night of Champions" and "Everett Extreme Challenge" monikers, which had been their steadfast event nicknames for the past number of years. Instead of running two different shows, under two different names, the prolific duo decided to work in tandem and co-promoted AX Fighting. Even with the launch of the new brand name, the event still had some pre fight hic-ups. The tentatively scheduled 13 bout card had many last minute cancellations and was weaned down to 9 fights and a Tag Team Submission Wrestling match come fight time.
The headliner would pit local favorite Otto Olson against Canadian Jesse Bongfeldt from the Progressive Fighting Academy in Lethbridge, Alberta. Both fighters started off cautiously until Olson bull rushed into a clinch, at which point the superior wrestler was able to execute a bodylock takedown. Caught inside Bongfeldt’s closed guard, Olson began to feverishly wing successive right hands causing the closed guard to be broken, giving him the opportunity to pass and attain side mount. Although Bongfeldt scrambled well fending off most of Olson’s punches, it would not be enough, as Olson eventually would foray into the full mount and lock on his vaunted front choke for the submission victory.

After a 3 year layoff from MMA competition, Josh Holt stepped back into the squared circle to face Bongfeldt’s team-mate Justin "Houdini" Tavernini. It wouldn’t take long to see why Tavernini is know as "Houdini" as he showed amazing submission defense against everything Holt could throw at him. After an initial takedown into full mount, Holt quickly took Tavernini’s back and sunk in a tight rear naked choke. It appeared as though it was only a matter of time until Tavernini tapped out, or passed out, but somehow the Canadian Muay Thai Champion was able to fend off the submission and roll to his back eluding the near finish. Holt went right back to work as he caught Tavernini’s right arm in an arm bar, but the magic man was once again was able to wiggle out of the submission. Tavernini then reversed position and found himself on top in Holt’s guard for the remainder of round 1. To open round two Holt looked for a double leg, but Tavernini showed a great sprawl driving Holt face down on the mat. Both fighters would scramble for position, but it was the Canadian who found the top position. Tavernini would eventually lock in an arm bar of his own and submit Holt at 2:34 of round 2.

Pankration Results

Tim Abell def. Dustin Conner by TKO referee stoppage from strikes at 1:29 of round 1

Bristol Marunde def. Jared Freeman by guillotine choke at 2:11 of round 1
Justin Tavernini def. Josh Holt by arm bar at 2:34 of round 2

Otto Olson def. Jesse Bongfeldt by front choke at 2:09 of round 1

Kickboxing Results

Ira Evenson def. Sam Sitchaisai by unanimous decision after 3 – 90 second rounds

Josh Hostelter def. Elijha Fay by KO: 22 of round 2

Shandy Frye def. Allen Cameron by majority decision after 3 – 90 second rounds

Muay Thai Results

Ed Nuno def. Jason Swan by unanimous decision after 3 – 2 minute rounds

Nate Cantiberos def. Shawn Gallo by split decision after 3 – 2 minute rounds

Tag Team Submission Wrestling

Match by Match Results:

Match #1: Grappling Heavyweight Match
Matt Jennings vs. Earl Crawford
Crawford defeated Jennings via rear naked choke submission
First Round – 1:36

Match #2: MMA 8 Man Tournament
Butch Scott vs. Brad Loker
Scott defeated Loker via arm bar submission
First Round – 2:42

Match #3: MMA 8 Man Tournament
Gary Young vs. Eddie Sanchez
Sanchez defeated Young via arm bar submission
First Round – 1:24

Match #4: MMA 8 Man Tournament
Matt Torres vs. Brian Densberger
Torres defeated Densberger via rear naked choke submission
First Round – 1:16

Match #5: MMA 8 Man Tournament
Keith Beckly vs. Josh Wilcox
Beckly defeated Wilcox via rear naked choke submission
First Round – :53

Match #6: MMA Heavyweight Match
Jason Gromski vs. Tyler Burgett
Burgett defeated Gromski via injury
First Round – 1:25

Match #7: MMA 190 lb. Match up
Ryan Lorenz vs. Chester Post
Lorenz defeated Post via rear naked choke
First Round – :28

Match #8: MMA 140 lb. Match up
Chad Ledbetter vs. Tom Skinner
Skinner defeated Ledbetter via rear naked choke submission
First Round – :27

Match #9: MMA 8 Man Tournament
Eddie Sanchez vs. Butch Scott
Scott defeated Sanchez via TKO
First Round – 3:13

Match #10: MMA 8 Man Tournament
Matt Torres vs. Keith Beckly
Torres defeated Beckly via rear naked choke submission
First Round – 3:41

Match #11: Kickboxing Match
John Canin vs. Duane LaPole
Canin defeated LaPole via judges’ decision
Three Rounds

Match #12: MMA 150 lb. Match up
Kevin White vs. Ryan Kronwitter
Kronwitter defeated White via judges’ decision
Two Four Minute Rounds

Match #13: MMA 180 lb. Match up
Rick Casarez vs. Lonnie Peiffer
Casarez defeated Peiffer via Judges’ decision
Two Four Minute Rounds

Match #14: MMA Heavyweight Match
George Crawford vs. Rich Weeks
Crawford defeated Weeks via guillotine choke
First Round – 2:25

Match #15: MMA 8 Man Tournament
165 – 180 lb. Championship Match
Butch Scott vs. Matt Torres
Torres defeated Scott via judges’ decision
Two Four Minute Rounds