NW FIGHTSCENE EDITOR'S NOTE: After this press release was issued, challenger Woo Johnson pulled out of the bout due to injury and Bobby McIntyre has replaced him to take on SFL Lightweight Champion Justin Harrington

Two Title Fights Highlight CageSport Presents SFL 44

TACOMA, Wash. – Justin “Ruckus” Harrington will make his first defense of the Super Fight League America lightweight title on Saturday, Sept. 26 when he faces Woo “Why So Serious” Johnson in the main event of CageSport MMA presents SFL 44 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.

Harrington (7-2) is a two-time CageSport champion and opened his professional career with six consecutive victories with every triumph coming via stoppage. A resident of Enumclaw, Wash., Harrington captured the vacant SFL lightweight crown on July 12 with a victory over Harrison Bevens, winning by second-round TKO.


Justin "Ruckus" Harrington

Johnson (5-1), of Spanaway, Wash., earned his title shot with an equally impressive victory on the SFL 41 undercard, defeating Chris Aparicio via submission (rear naked choke) at the 4:40 mark of the third round.


Woo "Why So Serious" Johnson

“This really is a bout worthy of main event status. It was hard to decide whose victory at SFL 41 was more exciting,” said promoter Brian Halquist. “They both tore the house down last time. Each has a feverish fan base locally. It should all add up to an excellent title fight.”

Tickets are available through the EQQ box office and all Ticket Master Outlets. Doors open at 6 p.m. with preliminary bouts starting at 7 p.m.

In the co-main event bout Alfonso “Big Smooth” Gonzales (7-1) will square off against Thomas “Tiny” Hoeper (1-1) for the vacant SFL America light heavyweight title.

Gonzales made his pro debut at CageSport 23 with a quick first-round TKO win over Steve Simpson and is a perfect 4-0 all-time at the Emerald Queen Casino, while the 6-foot-7 Hoeper is coming off a victory over Nate Cook at SFL 36.

Highlighting the undercard will be two-time CageSport champion and local favorite Drew “The Eternal Fire” Brokenshire (11-2). Brokenshire, a native of Tacoma, faces Daniel “Agent Orange” Swain (11-5-1) in a featherweight contest which should see the victor emerge as a top contender for the SFL America title.

Super Fight League 44 is brought to you by Brian Halquist Productions and CageSport MMA. For more information, please visit halquistproductions.com and the CageSport MMA Facebook page.

ABOUT SUPER FIGHT LEAGUE
The Super Fight League is Asia's leading Mixed Martial Arts organization. Over the past decade, with the guidance of state athletic commissions throughout the United States, Mixed Martial Arts has developed from a spectacle into a highly respected sport with a global audience. Major fights between world-renowned Mixed Martial Arts superstars are among the most popular sporting events of the year, surpassing pay-per-view records of boxing and professional wrestling. Sports fans around the World have made their voices heard, they want a sense of real competition when they watch sports, and MMA delivers. The Super Fight League brings Mixed Martial Arts to India and it brings it the world through its partnership with YouTube.com. MMA fans can catch all Super Fight League live and for free on TV in India and YouTube everywhere else.

ABOUT BRIAN HALQUIST
Brian Halquist Productions is the Northwest premiere fight promotion company creator of the famed "Battle at the Boat" boxing series promoting more than 17 years and 100 fights at the Emerald Queen Casino. BHP has also built the largest professional MMA series on the USA’s west coast with “CageSport MMA” promoting over 30 fights. Brian Halquist Productions has promoted events for ESPN, ShowTime and HBO and featured on Showtime's historic boxing event in St Lucia, West Indies. Brian Halquist Productions has been promoting fights and concerts for over 30 years in the Pacific Northwest.