· Matt Phinney Set To Make MMA Debut At WCF 11
Two-time Golden Gloves regional tournament winner and USA Boxing New England champion, Matt Phinney makes his first foray into the mixed martial arts ring at World Championship Fighting 11, scheduled for June 18 from the Aleppo Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, Mass. In the main event, two of New England’s rising lightweights battle for the title as UFC veteran Dan "The Upgrade" Lauzon meets Noah Weisman.
Phinney may best be known in the MMA community for his tongue-in-cheek impression of Michael “The Count” Bisping in a series of YouTube videos leading up to UFC 127 where Bisping faced Jorge "El Conquistador" Rivera.
The striking coach for Rivera and a number of accomplished fighters—including WEC veteran Mike Campbell and current Strikeforce star Tim Kennedy—Phinney holds an amateur boxing record of 11-0. He last competed in the Golden Gloves in 2010, going 4-0 with three technical knockout/knockout wins.
Phinney faces fellow newcomer Mike Mason on the main card in what is billed as a boxer vs. grappler bout.
"I've been trying to take an MMA fight for a while now, but there aren't many guys looking to take a fight with a first timer with a strong boxing background" Phinney stated. "I've had several opponents back out on me, and I'm thankful that a guy like Mike Mason was willing to step up and take the fight. He comes from a really tough team, and I'm excited we can both go in there and get some experience together."
Mason fights out of Lysak MMA & Bestway BJJ in Springfield, Mass. under the tutelage of Walt Lysak, Jr., former cornerman for UFC champions Frank Shamrock and Maurice Smith.
