Made Men Promotions returns with Live MMA at NEO 3
Made Men Promotions will return to NEO Sports Plant this weekend, as Live MMA at NEO 3 goes down on Saturday night.
The fight card features 17 bouts, including three in the pro ranks. The amateur portion of the card will be headlined by a lightweight title fight.
In the main event, Alex Poinar and David Wilson will square off in a pro flyweight contest.
Originally from Northeast Ohio, Poinar now lives in Las Vegas and trains with Xtreme Couture. “Aleko” returned to the Buckeye State to fight for the first time since 2016 earlier this year, as he topped Victor Guarriello via decision at WFC 165 in January.
The win was the second in a row for Poinar, who snapped a three-fight losing streak in his previous bout, a first round submission at DFC 5. He’s ready for another chance to return home.
“It’s a crazy big blessing, because my support system back home is unreal,” Poinar said on the Ohio MMA Podcast. “It’s such a blessing getting to come home and showcase everything to everybody that supported me my entire life really.”
“My first five fights were all in enemy territory in their hometown, so getting to come back to Ohio and be in front of my home crowd, I’m so excited to get to do it again.”
Poinar will face Wilson, better known as “Baby Hulk.” Wilson fights out of Wilmington, North Carolina and is known for competing on StreetBeefs, where he was a champion. Standing just 5’0″, he wrestled at UNC Pembroke and has won his last three MMA bouts for an overall 4-2 record.
The remainder of the pro card will feature four undefeated fighters. Dusty Shaffer and Abbas Abasov, both 2-0, will square off at featherweight. Mark Gordon looks to improve on his 1-0 record when he faces 2-0 AJ Frye.
Shaffer has quickly rattled off two straight wins since turning pro in January – an armbar in his debut in January and a decision over Kyle Zimick at Live MMA at NEO 2 in March. He’s excited to face yet another tough opponent.
“I’m excited, man. To have an opportunity like this to test myself, that’s what I live for with this sport,” Shaffer said on the Forged in Ohio podcast. “It’s always about self-improvement for me. I’m not trying to pick battles; I’m not trying to look for a guy who’s considered a chump. I want an actual challenge, so I’m very excited for this.”
Abasov, who has a judo background, trains at American Top Team in Florida and has already defeated two previously undefeated fighters in his pro career. He topped Zakariya Camara via decision in 2022 and Jeremy Henry via rear naked choke last October.
Mark Gordon gets to fight at home, as his gym Revolution Fight & Fitness, is located inside the NEO Sports Plant. “The Meat Train” looks to build off of a 14-second TKO win in his debut earlier this year, and he’s excited for a step up in competition.
“I guess I could never be too mad about a short outcome like that, but I’m such a competitor I feel excited to perform against somebody like this guy coming up,” Gordon said on the Forged in Ohio podcast.
“After that fight, the next day I didn’t even feel accomplished, really. After that, it felt like I needed to do a little bit more.”
Frye comes in from North Carolina, where he trains with Derek Brunson at Brunson’s MMA. Frye earned his first two pro wins via TKO, but he fights for the first time in 17 months as he’s had multiple fights cancelled. He stepped up on short notice to take the fight against Gordon, who had two previously scheduled opponents fall through for the fight.
“I’m a heavyweight with power and can move well,” Frye said. “I throw nice combinations and love an active fight. I feel like my opponent is similar so what more could the fans want?”
The amateur portion of the card is headlined by a lightweight title fight featuring Jordon Tague taking on Shane Swindig. Both fighters have identical 3-1 records and will be looking to claim their first gold.
Tague was the wrestling coach at the famed Notre Dame College before the school and program closed earlier this year. All three of his wins are via stoppage.
Swindig also has all three of his wins via stoppage, including a second round rear naked choke in his last outing.
You can view the full card for Live MMA at NEO 3 here, and stream the event via Combat Sports Now here.
