SFL America Female Strawweight title tops card at Emerald Queen Casino

TACOMA, Wash. – Mixed Martial Arts returns to Tacoma Saturday when CageSport presents Super Fight League 45 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma.

The eight-bout card will be headlined by the SFL America Strawweight championship title fight between Amy Montenegro (5-2-0) and Glena Avila (5-3-0), and the long-awaited return of undefeated Brent “Mankill” Knopp.

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

The entire SFL 45 card will be available for viewing on Youtube following the fights. Bob Stelton of 710 AM ESPN and ex UFC fighter Jeff Hougland, who also owns Combat Sport and Fitness, will call the action.

“This is a night of MMA fans do not want to miss,” promoter Brian Halquist said. “We have two of the top female fighters squaring off for a prestigious title, Brent Knopp will be making his return to the cage and the undercard is stacked with intriguing matchups. It’s going to be an incredible night.”

Issaquah’s Montenegro will tangle with Avila for the vacant SFL America Strawweight crown. Both are looking to follow in the footsteps of Miesha Tata and Julianna Pena, who parlayed success in CageSport into UFC careers. Both are currently ranked among the world’s top 5 fighters.


Amy Montenegro and Glena Avila to fight for the SFL America Strawweight Title at SFL 45

“I’m not sure we have had a more highly anticipated female bout here than Montenegro and Avila,” Halquist said. “This is a title fight everyone has been talking about. The expectations are high for this fight, but I actually think it will surpass everyone’s expectations.”

Kirkland’s Knopp (5-0-0) will face Spokane’s Jordan Currie (6-4-0) in a light heavyweight semi-main event. Knopp, the current CageSport middleweight titlist, is competing for the first time in two years. All five of his victories have occurred at the Emerald Queen Casino.


Brent Knopp in action in 2013

The card for CageSports presents SFL 45 follows:

SFL America Strawweight Title Fight
Amy Montenegro (5-2) vs. Glena Avila (5-3)

Brent "Mankill" Knopp (5-0) vs. Jordan Currie (6-4)
Robert Burgess (1-0) vs. Thomas Hoeper (3-2)
Nate Cook (0-3) vs. Rafael Brewster (Debut)
Patrick Benson (Debut) vs. Kody Kramer (1-0)
Dylan Potter (1-0) vs. Artiom Cula (2-1)
Journey Newson (1-0) vs. Justin Hugo (Debut)
Eric Cronkhite (2-0) vs. Danny Elliot (Debut)

Brian Halquist Productions will begin its 20th year of combative sports at Tacoma’s Emerald Queen Casino in 2016. Halquist and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians announced 10 dates for 2016 – beginning on Jan. 15 with the 104th installment of the Battle at the Boat professional boxing series.

Super Fight League 45 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 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.