On Nov. 9 in Las Vegas, at Sam's Town, John Valentine and Rowdy Akers will meet in a submission-only match, scheduled for seven minutes. It's part of a card that is designed to raise money to help assist our U.. Armed Forces troops and veterans.
Utah fight fans will recall that Akers defeated Valentine in a memorable 2017 SteelFist co-main event. It was Valentine's sole loss. Since then, Valentine, who lives in Las Vegas, has competed successfully in submission-only events, including earlier cards, from the Nov. 9, promotion, Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, that were also to benefit the troops. Akers, who now lives in Idaho, continues to compete in professional MMA and also recently won a promotional title belt in bareknuckle boxing.
The two have remained friends. "(Rowdy) has been part of my training camp," Valentine said, adding that they "banter back and forth" and both thought that participating in the Nov. 9 card was a chance to both do something good for the troops
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Valentine has been rehabbing from a snapped Achilles but is getting stronger as his training has been going on. "I've been lifting since February," he said, tagging his weight at about 170. The match is set for 155 pounds.
In October, Utah Fight Game plans to interview both combatants prior to the Nov. 9 card. I asked Valentine to share information on the card with readers. He was kind enough to do so.
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On November 9, 2019 Randy Couture’s ROUND 10: OPERATION KNOCKOUT Fight For Our Troops. Partnering with Randy himself, this events' founder Vinnie Mannino, has been going strong for 10 years running and to date has raised over $316,000.00 to benefit the troops. A part of Randy’s Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, it is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation with all proceeds we raised goes directly into the hands of soldiers wounded in action. Each year Randy Couture visits Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and writes $10,000 checks to families in need. With your help for this event your donations you can rest assured it is going directly to help a soldier.
For John it is an honor to be the featured co-main event for four years running and thanks to all your help I (we) hold the revenue and ticket record for any other single fighter in the 10-year history of the event.
Last year John was asked to join the Operation Knockout Board of Directors to help organize, raise awareness and revenue and this year will be the best year ever. Along with his fight you will all also witness some of upcoming MMA greats as they leave it on the line in Vegas.
There are 3 ways you can help support:
Attend the event and contact me for tickets. Seats are selling out quick.
Purchase a ticket(s) to sponsor a veteran and their family to go to the event even if you are unable to attend.
Reach out on ways you or your company can help sponsor the event or Xtreme Couture GI Foundation, or Operation knockout. The event presents an opportunity for your company to highlight their commitment and support some of our nation’s finest.
The Akers vs Valentine Match-up
The fight will be limited rules submission-only and with no points. Along with other fellow fighters, Both Rowdy and John are honored to be a part of this event help raise money and awareness for those wounded in action and their families whose courage, strength and determination to win this battles for us on and off the battlefield make it possible that we live the lives we do in this country.
NOTE: John is also active in the Utah community and partnering with SteelFist MMA donates free tickets to their shows for various causes.
Their Last Fight 2017
In one of the bloodiest and most entertaining fights of that year in 2017 for SteelFist, Rowdy won via TKO, halting John, the former Jiu Jitsu world champion’s attacks, through effective elbow strikes. John says he’s ready for redemption and will ensure their encounter will not only be entertaining but destructive. In addition to the night being special for the troops it is also special for Rowdy as it is his birthday.
"I intend to give him a very special present he won’t forget for years to come," Valentine said.
Rowdy and John are friends; in fact after their bloody fight Rowdy drove to Vegas and was part his fight training camp in his Las Vegas televised fight against decorated black belt Mark Wells. This fact however seems to be lost when they face each other. Both Rowdy and John are excited to give back to the troops and entertain the fans.
More information:
Date: November 9, 2019
Age: All Ages Show
Location: live at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall, Las Vegas, NV.
Ticket Prices: $20, $35 and $55
John Valentine: Athlete bio
John Valentine is sponsored professional athlete and sought after speaker and self defense, MMA and Jiu Jitsu fight trainer who was born and raised in Las Vegas where he was a decorated athlete in multiple sports. John went on to college at the University of Nevada Las Vegas where he earned a degree in Biology and wrestled on the university's club wrestling club team as the official program had be scrapped due to university budgets restraints. John continued to train competing and fighting in several disciplines including Judo, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA. In these events, he gained notoriety and was also asked to train other top level professional fighters and athletes. While best known for his MMA and Jiu Jitsu accolades here are more details on Johns accomplishments:
-MMA
5-1 pro record
Former cage side commentator and TV Host for SteelFist Fight Night
Previous head MMA Coach for one of the nations largest all-female fight team
Former female MMA MATCH maker and manager for some females fighting at some of the largest organizations in the world
One of the fastest TK0s in Utah history at 10 seconds
-Jiu Jitsu
Black Belt under the famed multiple-time World Champion Robert Drysdale
IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Gold medalist and World Champion
Pan-American games medalist
Multiple time IBJJF Jiu Jitsu National Champion and medalist
Over three dozen gold medals and championship belts in Jiu jitsu in the expert division with organizations such as NAGA.
Undefeated Jiu Jitsu Super fight Champion (televised events)
4-time Randy Couture’s Operation Knockout Co-Main event (Next scheduled for 11/9/19)
Submission Hunter Pro Grappling, Black Belt Main Event Las Vegas, NV
Proving Grounds Invitational Utah, Co-Main Event
-Muay Thai
Kru under Legend and Master Sakasem Kanthawong
Decorated athlete and coach
Head Coach at Hidden Valley MMA and Muay Thai
Other:
John has been the main featured in on radio, print and his fights have televised on regional and national TV such is NBC sports.
John donates 100 percent of everything he makes back to charity. John holds the record for most revenue and ticket sales by a single fighter having raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity. This comes through his fan base and large collection of corporate and private sponsors.
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