The Pro Edition: Soccer, Baseball and Basketball

/in /by

Quinn Sullivan Gets First Taste of Professional Soccer

While most of his former club and school teammates are finishing high school right now, 16-year-old Quinn Sullivan is in Clearwater, Florida, getting his first taste of Major League Soccer experience.

 

Sullivan, signed by the Philadelphia Union to a “homegrown” contract after playing in the Union’s Academy, played in his first pre-season game this week after a week of pre-season training in Philadelphia.

A top performer in the team’s fitness testing, Quinn scored a goal in the team’s first intra-squad game, before playing half of the Union’s first pre-season game against Orlando City SC.

 

“As we were about to enter Phase 2 of pre-season training in Florida, I was reflecting on Phase 1, and how positive it has been so far,” said Sullivan. “I am learning a lot, and the coaching staff is working overtime to get all of the new players up to speed. The environment around the team is great and I am optimistic about the rest of pre-season and the year.”

 

The team kicks off their 2021 season in CONCACAF Champions League play when they head down to Costa Rica for a game against Deportivo Saprissa on April 7th, before a return leg at Philadelphia’s Subaru Park on April 14th. 

 

The Union’s MLS season opener will be on April 18th at Columbus Crew SC.

 

 

 

 

 

Former MLB Pitcher Joins Pro Agents

When Tom Koehler retired from baseball in 2020, after a shoulder injury cut his career short, he remembered a conversation he had with his agent, Dave Pepe.

 

“Dave always said to me ‘don’t commit to anything without talking with me first,’ so I didn’t,” the former Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays righty said. “We would joke about it while I was playing. Dave was very familiar with my work as a player on the Collective Bargaining Agreement.”

 

One conversation led to another and Tom joined Dave and Billy Martin, Jr., on the Pro Agents’ team.

 

“Many years ago, I recognized in Tom a work ethic and intellect that I always believed would be an asset to any organization,” said Dave Pepe, co-President of Pro Agents, Inc. “Fortunately, the organization that will benefit will be the one I am affiliated with.”

 

Tom is still in the Marlins’ record books, among the top 10 Miami hurlers in Innings Pitched, Strikeouts and ERA. After being traded to the Blue Jays, Tom had a 2.65 ERA in 2017, the last year he pitched before suffering the shoulder injury. A product of New Rochelle High School, Tom was drafted by the Marlins in 2008.

 

“While I may focus more on our pitching prospects, I’ll be doing everything Dave and Billy do with our current and future clients,” Tom added. “The most important thing a player can look for in an agent is finding someone you can trust, and who will be honest and open. Sometimes the best advice may not be what you want to hear. That’s something I always admired about the team at Pro Agents.”

 

Koehler, who will be based in Jupiter, FL, feels the current Pro Agents roster is filled with talent.

 

“We have a number of guys who, I feel, will become significant big league baseball players.”

 

IPZ works on marketing and public relations initiatives for Pro Agents and its athletes. 

 

 

 

Pat Andree Training for Next Pro Shot

While Pat Andree’s first pro season did not go as planned, he wouldn’t have passed up the experience.

 

“We practiced two and three times a day, every day,” said Pat. “I’ve kept up the same regimen since I’ve been back in the States. I’ll be better prepared next season.”

 

Pat is working with Mike Rice since getting back to New Jersey. The former Robert Morris and Rutgers head basketball coach is now the head coach of Team Rio, a top AAU program, and the Director of the Hoop Group, where several college and former professional players now train. 

 

“Pat can have a long career in Europe, if things ever get back to normal,” said Rice. “He can stretch the floor, has tremendous skill sets and he has improved his physical tools, working on his body. Physically, he can compete with anyone. He is the prototypical “Big” in today’s game. He is comfortable playing on the perimeter and can shoot the three.”

 

The 6’10” Andree, who played collegiately at Lehigh and North Carolina State, spent two-and-a-half months with Lusitania in Portugal’s LCB, the top pro basketball league in Portugal. Lusitania is in Angra do Heroismo in the Azores. Thus, the team had a two-hour flight from the island to the mainland, and then typically another two-hour flight to away games.

 

“The travel was tough, but the place was beautiful,” Andree said. “But the team struggled financially without fans. It really relied on gate revenue. Our coach left after the first game, and the team had to release three American players during the season. I actually had my best game in our last game, with 13 points and six rebounds in 20 minutes. 

 

“But now I’m back in Jersey training with Coach Rice and working for the next opportunity.”

 

“It was a difficult year,” said Massimo Raseni of Italy’s The Players Group agency. “Some players actually got stopped at Customs, tested positive, and were sent home, losing their jobs.”

 

 

April Newsletter

/in /by

Sameen Swint Signs with IPZ

Sameen Swint, a 6’5″ guard from Newark, New Jersey, has signed with IPZ.

Sameen spent his first two years after college playing professionally in El Salvador for the team 11 Lobos. As a rookie, he was among the league’s leaders as he scored an impressive 22 points a game.

Sameen went on to average 30 points a game the following year, earning “Player of the Year” accolades for the 2018-2019 season.

He then played in the Philippines for the PF Panthers, where he averaged 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists on 52% shooting, earning first team and all-star honors, while being the league’s leading scorer.

 

 

 

Dan Gargan Featured in Philadelphia Sports Magazine

Photo by Matthew Ashton – Getty Images


Brotherly Game, which is an official SB Nation Blog, features soccer news with a primary focus on Philadelphia. As they count down the days until the MLS season kicks off, they are looking at 25 of Philadelphia’s most notable players to celebrate 25 years since the first ball was kicked.Former MLS player and current broadcaster Dan Gargan, who also is the General Manager of Lou Fusz Athletic, the Midwest’s largest youth sports facility, was recently featured in Brotherly Game’s “Philly MLS 25” series.

“Dan Gargan scrapped together one of the finest careers of any Philadelphia area soccer player during the first twenty-five years of Major League Soccer,” the article states.

Over Gargan’s ten-year MLS career, he experienced several career-defining moments, yet the highlight for him was winning the 2014 MLS Cup with L.A. Galaxy.

The article goes into depth of all Gargan’s highlights in his MLS career, as well as touches on his current work as an analyst for Atlanta United on Fox, and his position as General Manager of Lou Fusz Academy, which joined MLS NEXT last month.

Aside from his current involvement as an analyst and general manager, Gargan’s hosts a new podcast, The Soccer Soup Podcast – which features former pros Alan Gordon, Dan Gargan and Sal Zizzo.

Learn more about Dan’s work at Lou Fusz Athletic, an IPZ client, here.

Read the full article feature here.

Lou Fusz Joins MLS NEXT

Major League Soccer’s new youth development platform, MLS NEXT, announced the addition of Lou Fusz Athletic ahead of its 2021-2022 season. LFA joins a roster of expansion clubs that include Albion SC Las Vegas, Las Vegas Sports Academy, and St. Louis City Academy, bringing MLS NEXT to 118 clubs, 521 teams, and over 11,000 players nationwide.

Competition for LFA throughout the season will be local, regional and national – at a larger scale – along with more coverage and exposure than average youth tournaments.

MLS NEXT launched in 2020 with the goal of transforming youth soccer in North America. MLS NEXT players have access to the highest levels of training, personal development opportunities, and competition that prepares them for their future. The platform features competition across six age groups: U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19.

Deals, Features, and A Great Opportunity

/in /by

ETF Managers Group Extends Partnership with Alexey Oleynik

With his wife, Tatiana, Alexey Oleynik signs his extension with ETFMG.

 

ETF Managers Group, the leading provider of thematic ETFs, has extended its sponsorship of UFC Heavyweight Alexey Oleynik, the company and athlete announced this week.

Oleynik, the 10th ranked Heavyweight in the world, will continue to promote ETFMG’s funds through social media work and appearances. During the past 18 months, Oleynik has worked with ETFMG on its MJ (medical cannabis), GAMR (video game tech) and IVES (cloud computing) ETFs (exchange-traded funds).

“Our partnership with Alexey has added a great deal of value to our firm, providing significant exposure to a brand new audience that is often overlooked by our competitors,” said Sam Masucci, ETFMG CEO and Founder. “Alexey has been a class act inside and outside Octagon, and we are thrilled to remain in his corner.”

“Sam and ETFMG have been amazing partners to work with and I sincerely appreciate their support,” said Oleynik. “It’s easy to help promote products I believe in, and I look forward to continuing this great relationship.”

ETFMG plans to increase its social media marketing in the coming months.

“As the first financial firm to sponsor a UFC athlete, we are quickly realizing the value of reaching those interested in our products in diverse ways,” said Jessica Hennelly, ETFMG’s Director of Marketing and Events. “Our partnership with Alexey is continued proof that unique marketing moves are synonymous with highly effective brand-awareness.”

Alexey’s next fight is against Chris Daukaus on February 20th in Las Vegas in UFC Fight Night 185. IPZ Client, Andrei Arlovski, will also be fighting that night in a Heavyweight Bout against Tom Aspinall.

Darius Williams Reflects on a Successful Season

While on the surface Darius Williams appears to be an incredibly humble young man, his hunger and passion for the game of basketball is obvious and has led him to play at the professional level. Currently, Darius is showcasing his talents for Cactus Tbilisi, a franchise in the Georgian Superliga. Making the shift from Division 1 NCAA basketball to a European franchise is often a difficult task but is one that Williams welcomed with open arms.
“There’s a big difference playing in college and playing overseas,” Darius said. “Surprisingly, one difference is the speed of the game. Contrary to what I expected, the college game overall is faster. Overseas the game is fast in some areas, but a majority of the time its slower. There is a lot more screens in the euro leagues which results in less one on one basketball. The game still feels joyous anytime I get a chance to do what I love.”

 

It is this intense love for the game of basketball that has fueled his comeback after his senior season at Southern University was ultimately cut short, ruining his and his former teammates chance to compete in March Madness. COVID-19 led to the end of Darius’ collegiate career, but his basketball life continues, now at the pro level. He has been a significant contributor leading his team, Cactus Tbilisi, to the league playoffs, which the team failed to do before Darius’ arrival. Williams is averaging 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.

 

 

 

The Transformation of Oleg Prudius

Oleg Prudius has gone through an amazing transformation, according to this WhatCulture article.

The article’s author writes about Prudius’ “glow-up” since his WWE days…
“Wow.
“Yes, that’s formerly dull-as-dishwater WWE star Vladimir Kozlov on the right. As WhatCulture’s own Simon Miller said on Twitter, big Koz looks like a background character from GTA who’s more likely to send you out to whack an enemy than put you in a headlock.
“That suit jacket is spectacular; it’s approximately 100,000 times more colorful than Vladimir ever was when he was flying solo. It was a different story when WWE finally coaxed some personality out of the man in that tag team with Santino Marella though. If you haven’t witnessed that before, then check it out pronto.
“Kozlov now has an impressive beard, a sweet ride and a golden bottle of booze. He also has a winning smile, big sunglasses and that jacket. Vince McMahon must be wondering where this character was back in 2008.”

December Newsletter

/in /by

Alexey Oleynik Prepares for His Next UFC Fight

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 07: Aleksei Oleinik of Russia poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night weigh-in at UFC APEX on August 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Alexey Oleynik is set to return to the Octagon on February 20, 2021, in a Heavyweight Bout. UFC will announce his opponent later this month. Oleynik is looking to “continue defying Father Time,” according to editor Jay Anderson of the Cageside Press.

The UFC has not announced a location for the event, although it is assumed to be either in Las Vegas or “Fight Island” in Dubai. Oleynik is already training to ensure win #60.
“No one works harder to compete and prevail than I do,” said Oleynik.  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to receive updates regarding the fight. Oleynik is sponsored by ETF Managers Group.

 

 

Oleg Prudius Featured in John Wick Article

Oleg Prudius, most notably known for his time with WWE as Vladimir Koslov (a.k.a. The Moscow Mauler), was featured in Cinema Blend’s latest article about the characters of John Wick: Chapter 2.

The article states, “John Wick: Chapter 2 pretty much picks up where things left off for the recently un-retired assassin when he goes to retrieve his stolen Mustang from a chop shop. Before he can do so, however, John Wick must take down a small army of Russian gangsters, including “Russian Assassin,” the larger-than-life beast of a man in coveralls. And if you thought that his bodyslam on Wick looked like something out of WWE, that’s because the actor, Oleg Prudius, wrestled for the company from 2006 to 2012…making him the third (but probably not last) wrestler to appear in the franchise.”

To read the full article, click here.

 

 

Greenville Triumph Extends Paul Christensen’s Contract

Fourteen players from Greenville’s title-winning squad will return to the side in 2021. (Photo courtesy of Tormenta FC).

The Greenville Triumph SC have exercised their team option on keeper Paul Christensen, ensuring Paul’s return for the 2021 season.  The Triumph were the USL League One champions in 2020.

 

 

A Special Time in a Difficult Year

The image above is artwork we commissioned during my days at the NYSE. I look at it pretty much every day. To me, it captures the excitement, joy, wonder, and hope children have during the holiday season.  This year, we all need some of that joy and hope to help lift our spirits in what has been a year to forget.

 

But it is also a year to recognize the amazing work of our first responders and health care workers…and the scientists who have developed a breakthrough vaccination in what is actually a very short time.

 

With our teams largely working from home and, like everyone around the world, praying for the development of the vaccine and a return to “life as normal,” we opted this year to send our holiday wishes electronically.

 

And as we have in years past, we made several contributions during the year to organizations dedicated to helping others, including the FDNY Foundation, Cento Amici,  RWJUH and The Hurley Family Foundation.
Enjoy this holiday season with your families. And stay safe.

—Bob Zito, Managing Partner, IPZ

 

 

View the full newsletter here.

November Newsletter

/in /by

Philadelphia Union Academy Star Joins IPZ

WARREN, NJ (November 12, 2020) — Quinn Sullivan, a versatile midfielder and top prospect within the Philadelphia Union (MLS) and USA Soccer, has signed with IPZ, the company announced today.

The 16-year-old Philadelphia native has been a mainstay within the Philadelphia Union Academy, representing the club at every age group. Most recently, Quinn played as an amateur for the professional side Philadelphia Union II, which in 2020, competed in the United Soccer League Championship (USLC), the second division of United States professional soccer.

Quinn will officially embark on his professional soccer career, starting January 1, 2021, when he joins the First Team of the Philadelphia Union. The Philadelphia Union have a history of developing young talent and were recipients of the 2020 MLS Supporters’ Shield, an achievement given to the club with the best regular season record in MLS.

“I didn’t choose IPZ. IPZ, and in particular Jeff Curtin, chose me,” said Sullivan. “Jeff has watched me play for a number of years and when the early bloomers were attracting the attention of agents and managers, Jeff saw something in me, and would come watch my games whenever he had the chance. My family and I appreciated that. It is obvious that the boutique nature of IPZ allows them to really focus on representing their clients holistically, and the proof is in the results- in a matter of months Jeff was able to secure me both a trial at Borussia Dortmund, a top German club, and a Homegrown Major League Soccer (MLS) contract with my hometown Philadelphia Union. I look forward to a long partnership with IPZ.”

“Quinn is an exceptional young talent,” said Curtin, Managing Director of IPZ. “At just sixteen years old, Quinn is ready to take the next step in his soccer career as a professional. Quinn has the talent, mindset and approach to be a great pro and we are delighted to have him officially join the IPZ family.”

See the Union’s Official Release here.

Luca Bernardi Wins the 2020 Campionato Italiano Velocità SuperSport600

Luca Bernardi, the San Marino rider of the Gomma Racing team, added two more podiums (seven out of eight races) in the historical circuit of Vallelunga in Rome, to clinch the Campionato Italiano Velocità SuperSport600 Championship.

After a tough year, Bernardi clinched the title with 152 points in only his second year participating at this event.

Along with this title, Bernardi has won the 2017 CIV Championship SuperSport 300 and the 2017 Yamaha R3 Cup.

Andrei Arlovski Adds to His Record

UFC Heavyweight and IPZ client, Andrei Arlovski, defeated Tanner Boser in the co-main event inside the Apex Las Vegas this past weekend.

Arlovski won via unanimous decision after surprising Boser with a spinning backfist in the final seconds of the second round.

“I looked at Boser and saw myself 21 years ago…He’s young, powerful, strong and hungry. I wish him good luck,” said Arlovski in an interview with ESPN after the fight.

This win marks his 19th win in the UFC’s heavyweight division, which is the most of all time. Even with this, Arlovski, now back in the top 15 rankings, has stated that his best is yet to come.

 

October Newsletter

/in /by

Dimash Kudaibergen Works with Michael Kors on World Hunger Initiative

Dimash is partnering with Michael Kors in this year’s Watch Hunger Stop campaign. The program supports The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) which feeds children in schools around the world. The WFP was today named the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
This year’s product capsule includes the “Love” t-shirt and tote bag. All proceeds from the Michael Kors’ “Watch Hunger Stop” line, go toward supporting the WFP’s essential work in finding ways to provide children with the vital nutrition they need.
Dimash is proudly supporting his Love Shirt and encouraging his fans to support the program as well, through the month of October.

 

Visit www.watchhungerstop.com for program details, and visit https://www.michaelkors.com/trend/watch-hunger-stop/_/R-cat3450002 to learn more about Michael Kors’ products and involvement in the initiative.

 

Oleg Prudius Releases New Movie Trailer

Former WWE wrestler and renowned actor, Oleg Prudius–or the Moscow Mauler–has released a new trailer for his upcoming movie, Miami Heat. The movie, starring Prudius, has a storyline you won’t forget, as he battles human trafficking and saves his daughter.

 

Take a look at the trailer here.

 

Oleg, who was a ‘tag team’ champion in the WWE, was the USA Heavyweight Sambo Champion, and the U.S. Kickboxing Association Heavyweight Grappling Champion. He has appeared in numerous action movies and television series.

See some of his highlights at www.olegprudi.us.

 

 

Dimash Kudaibergen Appears on MTV’s Official YouTube Channel

Last Friday, October 2nd, Dimash appeared on MTV’s YouTube Channel live stream. He was the first Kazakh artist to debut a song on MTV’s YouTube Channel in Kazakh. He was among the top five most requested singers of the night.

Dimash and his Dears did so well that he has been invited back to this week’s MTV YouTube live stream, (tonight) on October 9th. You can stream here.

IPZ to Work with Interperformances Client, Paolo Diana

Paolo Diana on the podium and with Interperformances President, Luciano “Lucky” Capicchioni and the Director of Women’s Division, Valentina Fabbri

IPZ will begin working with Interperformances client, Paolo Diana. The 44-year-old rally driver made his first debut in 2000 and has been driving ever since. He has made his mark in Italy and around Europe, most notably for his Fiat 131.

 

This past weekend, Diana clinched the third step of the podium at the Legend Show, the opening event of the 18th RallyLegend in San Marino. Paolo Diana, helped by the navigator Francesco Fresu, was thrilled after the race:

 

“[Last night] we started the warm-up for the weekend special stages. It was really great to compete with so many champions and get on the podium with Adrien Foumaux and Ken Block: each of them is a top driver in what they do. Being there with them was a great matter of pride for me. I was also very pleased to have given the emotion of the podium to my friend and navigator Francesco Fresu, at his first RallyLegend.”

IPZ September Newsletter

/in /by

Pat Andree Signs Professional Basketball Contract

Pat Andree has signed with S.C. Lusitania for the upcoming season and leaves this week to meet his new team in Portugal.

 

S.C. Lusitania has a long history of success, having been founded in 1922 as a professional basketball and soccer club. The basketball team is currently coached by Nuno Barroso, and features several American players.

“We’re thrilled that Pat will have the opportunity to make an impact on a team and in a league that is highly-regarded throughout Europe,” said IPZ Founder, Robert Zito. “Because of COVID-19 and travel restrictions, this has been a difficult year for players to find opportunities. We sincerely appreciate the help we got from Dewey Hawkins and JCK Sports Group in opening this door.”

 

New Project by Dimash Kudaibergen in the Works

On the heels of Dimash’s recent success following the release of Qairan Elim, he is back in the studio working on his next project.

Upon release, Qairan Elim hit one million views on YouTube…in less than a week.

What’s he working on now? His new project—we believe—will capture the attention of his fans worldwide, and build on his growing legion of followers around the globe. It will be a “first” for an artist from that region of the world. Stay tuned.

 

Oleg Prudius to Launch New Vodka

Oleg Prudius has a lot of accomplishments under his belt, but is most notably recognized and applauded for being the infamous “Moscow Mauler” on WWE.

Oleg trademarked the “Moscow Mauler” name, and will now be the face of a signature vodka brand. “Moscow Mauler Vodka” is the first vodka to be distilled in Ukraine.

“Today’s modern market consumers are looking deeper into quality, and have discovered the importance of the distillation and filtration process, which has a direct influence on the quality and the final result of the beverage,” said Oleg.

“Moscow Mauler” Vodka is a record-breaking nine times distilled and seven times filtered, five times through quartz.

The bottle is hand crafted, made of copper, and decorated with Swarovski crystals.

The vodka is set to be distributed in the coming months, following the release of Oleg’s new movie, Miami Heat.

 

Motorcycle Pilot Luca Bernardi Adds IPZ to His Team

Interperformances’ client Luca Bernardi, a 19-year-old Motorcycle Champion from San Marino, will be represented by IPZ, working with Interperformances, for global brand support.

Bernardi got on his first bike when he was very young, and began competing in the little league category of motorcycle at the age of five. He has collected the 2007, 2008, and 2009 editions of the Adriatic Trophy in the UISP Championship, along with the Trifoglio di Cattolica Trophy, the UISP Italy Trophy, and the Regional Endurance Championship.

In 2010, Luca became the official Polini Minimoto rider, where he finished in first, which guaranteed him access to the Italian Championship Final where he won fifth place.

 

In the last ten years, Luca has won each year at the Italian Championship. He is currently sponsored by Caberg (Helmet), Eyerise (Sunglasses), Gimoto (Suit), xTech (First Layer), NAS (Clothing Store), GASSS (Event Organizer), and World line (Transportation).

 

“Luca is a fearless, driven competitor who will catch the attention of brands hoping to reach the Motorcycle demographic,” said Zito. “And at 19 years of age, he has an amazing future to look forward to.”

 

IPZ Welcomes Darius Williams

Williams originally began his college career at Paris Junior College before transferring to Cal State Bakersfield and then ultimately finishing his college career at Southern University, where he began to shine. The smooth and athletic Williams averaged 7 points per game, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists on 55% shooting for a Southern team that was inches away from qualifying for the NCAA tournament.

 

As talented as Darius is on the court, he is equally as skilled and dedicated when it comes to his music. Darius recently released a song on YouTube titled “What’s the Word” that is nearing 10,000 views.

 

The multitalented Williams will begin his professional basketball career with Cactus Tbilisi in the Georgian Superliga.

 

 

 

To open the newsletter in a new browser, click here.

The Fight Library Interviews Alexey Oleynik: 10 More Years

/in /by

Oleinik is coming off of a win over former heavyweight champion, Fabricio Werdum, at UFC 249. The fight was looked forward to by many fans due to the level of grappling to be seen at the fight. But, Oleinik kept the fight standing most of the time, using his absurd 80″ reach to wail on Werdum. He pointed out that the fight isn’t a grappling fight and that he is a mixed martial artist.

“Yes, Werdum and I had a great fight. We fought with him striking, wrestling and grappling. I can work standing, I can work on the ground. I don’t know what to use in a fight, it depends on my opponent. I can work everywhere.”

[…]

Oleinik is prepared for the toughness and power of Lewis and plans to approach it like he does any other fight: smartly.

“Derrick Lewis hits hard, maybe the hardest in the UFC. I have to do my camp for a couple months. You can work with hard striking with only your mind and your technique. That’s how I’ve prepared for this fight.”

Read the full story here.

‘A Beast and a Boa’: Alexey Oleynik takes on Derrick Lewis August 8

/in /by

UFC on ESPN+ 32 poster revealed: ‘A Beast and a Boa’ take center stage

 

A clash of styles will headline the UFC’s Aug. 8 card.

Derrick Lewis faces Aleksei Oleinik in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 32, which takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Lewis (23-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) snapped a two-fight losing skid with back-to-back decision wins over Blagoy Ivanov and Ilir Latifi.

At the age of 43, Oleinik (59-13-1 MMA, 8-4 UFC) is the oldest heavyweight on the UFC roster, but the submission specialist has won his past two in a row, most recently edging out former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum at UFC 249 in May.

 

Read the full article and check out the official poster on MMA Junkie here.

Kazakh Pop Singer Dimash Kudaibergen Signs On With U.S. Talent Scouts, Finishes His Master’s Degree

/in /by

Popular Kazakh pop-star Dimash Kudaibergen marked two important milestones in his career on June 18. The singer signed on with the American IPZ talent promotion agency on June 1st, the agency’s press service announced on June 18th. IPZ will represent Kudaibergen and develop strategies to promote him to American audiences.

 

[…]

 

As a student majoring in Music Composition, the second big milestone for Kudaibergen on June 18 was his outstanding defence of his master’s thesis at the Kazakh National University of Arts. The jury members gave his thesis, “Personal image of traditional musicians,” 100 points, the university instagram page reported. Due to the pandemic, Kudaibergen had to present his thesis virtually.

 

Read the full story here.