KORNBERGER, ANSTEAD BATTLE FOR MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE AT UNIFIED 31

Apr 13, 2017

EDMONTON — Brendan Kornberger will defend his Unified MMA Middleweight Championship against Miles Anstead in the co-main event of Unified 31, June 9 in Edmonton.

After beating Teddy Ash for the title in December, this is Kornberger’s first title defense, and the well-rounded, Vancouver-based freestyle fighter can’t think of a better challenger than Anstead, who brings a 10-1 record into battle.

“I’m stoked,” Kornberger, a proud owner of five KO wins, says with a smile. “Miles is the only Canadian middleweight ranked ahead of me not in the UFC, and I can’t wait to test myself against him. June 9 can’t come soon enough.

“This will be a great show for everyone.”

On that point, Anstead agrees with the champ.

“It feels great to be able to finally fight at home in Edmonton,” Anstead, a winner of three straight, says. “I’ve got nothing but respect for Kornberger. He’s my biggest challenge yet, and I’m just excited to rise to the occasion.

“Don’t blink, man.”

Before Kornberger defends his crown against Anstead, former Unified MMA Lightweight Champion Garret “Nasty” Nybakken will return to action against fellow Edmonton fighter Craig Shintani, who’s won five of his past six bouts, also at Unified 31 on June 9 in Edmonton.

Both Nybakken and Shintani are hungry to bounce back into the win column after suffering losses in their most recent outing.

“I’m very excited to get back in the cage and put that last fight behind me,” says Nybakken, who was previously on a five-fight win streak. “I have something to prove and Craig is a strong kid. I think it’s a great fight for me to show I’ve gotten my wrestling back in order and won’t be held down by a wrestler again.”

Adds Shintani, “I’m really excited for this opportunity to fight at home again. I’m going to put on a show for my friends, family and all the Edmonton fight fans! This is a fight that fans want to see, and I look forward to the challenge.”

After nearly two years away from the cage, Edmonton’s “Big Bad” Stephen Beaumont tries to improve to 9-2 at the expense of 22-fight vet Dia Grant in welterweight action.

Unified 31, which goes down June 9 in Edmonton, will also feature Tristan Connelly as he defends his Unified MMA Lightweight Championship against UFC vet Shane “Shaolin” Campbell, as well as the returns of Aaron Bosiak, Nick Campbell, Christian Larsen, Pat Pytlick and Behreng Yousefi.

 Tickets go on sale April 20, and are available at www.UnifiedMMA.ca/tickets