TACOMA, Wash. - Nick Braker will make the first defense of his CageSport MMA heavyweight championship when he faces challenger Kyle Keeney in the main event at CageSport XV at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma on July 16. 

"This is going to be a war," said CageSport promoter Brian Halquist. "Braker and Keeney are two of the most dominating MMA fighters in the Pacific Northwest. This is the fight the fans wanted to see."

Braker became CageSport's second heavyweight champion ever when he defeated Matt Kovacs by submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) at CageSport XII on Oct. 2, 2010. 

Keeney (11-5) earned his title shot by defeating Kovacs at CageSport XIV on April 23 - winning the contest by second-round submission (North-South Choke). 

"The opportunity to fight for the heavyweight title means a lot," said Keeney, who was introduced in 2003 by current UFC fighter Dennis Hallman. "It's always fun fighting in Tacoma. They are loud and get rowdy. The crowd should expect me coming out and doing whatever possible to secure the win. I want that belt." 

Keeney comes into the title bout with the added confidence of already holding a victory over Braker. 

The two meet for the first time on Aug. 14, 2010 with Keeney winning by split decision in the highly-contested bout. 

"The thing that impresses me about Nick Braker is his toughness," Keeney said. "What I remember most about our previous fight is that it was a battle. I was able to get a split decision win, but honestly I felt it could've gone either way. Thank god the judges went my way."

The card features a total of 10 professional bouts. 

In addition to the heavyweight title bout, Justin Davis, a graduate of Yelm High School, meets George Stork in 189-pound semi-main event. 

"I've watched George fight a couple 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-seocnd 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.

CAGESPORT XV FIGHT CARD

CageSport Heavyweight Championship

Nick Braker vs. Kyle Keeney

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

Tickets: 
Tickets are available at the Emerald Queen Casino box office 1-888-831-7655 and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Or online at www.ticketmaster.com

Ticket Prices: *$100 - $55 - $35

Get up to date information at: www.HalquistProductions.com

* Includes VIP Party 5:00-7:00 pm at the Bridge Night Club.

ABOUT CAGESPORT MMA EVENT

What: CageSport MMA
Where: Emerald Queen Casino's I-5 Showroom
When: July 16, 2011

Time: Event starts at 7:00 P.M. Doors open at 6:00 P.M.