Kyle Keeney

TACOMA, Wash. - Kyle Keeney will make the first defense of his CageSport Heavyweight Championship against Daniel Stewart in the main event at CageSport XVI at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma on Oct. 1. 

"This is going to be a war," said promoter Brian Halquist. "Kyle wants to be a fighting champion and Daniel will give him all he can handle."

Keeney (12-5) defeated Josh Bennett by second-round rear-naked choke to become the Interim Heavyweight Champion at CageSport XV. 

Originally, Keeney was to challenge champion Nick Braker for the title at the July 16 event, but Braker was unable to compete due to a blood infection. 

Due to inactivity, Braker was stripped of the title, which he won Nov. 2, 2010, and the tag of interim was removed from Keeney's title. 

"Daniel is a very tough opponent out of Team Quest," said Keeney, who has won his last three bouts. "This is going to be a good one." 

In addition to his victory over Bennett, Keeney also defeated former CageSport heavyweight champion Matt "The Attack" Kovacs on April 23. 

Chanti Johnson, the most successful fighter in CageSport history, makes his long-await return to the Emerald Queen Casino when he faces Tyson Nam in the co-main event. 

Johnson (7-3) is undefeated in his four previous CageSport appearances with his last victory coming at CageSport XI on July 24, 2010 when he defeated Roy Bradshaw by knockout. 

He remains the only undefeated fighter in CageSport history with four or more fights and holds one of the quickest KOs in CageSport history, scoring a 16-second knockout of Charon Spain at CageSport IX on Feb. 20, 2010. 

Johnson, however, is coming off a controversial loss to Nam (9-4) on July 29.

The bout was scored a TKO victory for Nam 45 seconds into the first round, but many believed, Johnson included, the questionable knockdown stemmed from a finger to the eye. 

The rematch at CageSport XVI will settle it. 

"CageSport has been Chanti's home field since he first fought here two years ago," Halquist said. "He has just done everything right at the Emerald Queen Casino. This is a fantastic rematch. Neither fighter wanted to see the first fight end the way it did. Now we get to find out who is the better fighter at CageSport XVI. 

Highlighting the undercard will be a bout between Eddie Blackburn and Darrell Fenner.. 

First fight on the 10-bout 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

Main Event - CageSport Heavyweight Championship

Kyle Keeney vs. Daniel Stewart

Co-main Event

Chanti Johnson vs. Tyson Nam

Eddie Blackburn vs. Darrell Fenner
Byron Sutton vs. Robert Maphrus
Julian Erosa vs. Brad Nordquist
Jorey Taylor vs. Sean Villalva
Ernesto Toscano vs. Harrison Bevens
Josiah Mitchell vs. Sam Sicillia
Justin Gardner vs. Tyson Johnson
Ryan Mulvahill vs. Brad Prather

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: Oct. 1, 2011
Time: Event starts at 7:00 P.M. Doors open at 6:00 P.M.