On the red carpet at the 25th Super Bowl Soulful Celebration in Las Vegas, hip hop legend Yo-Yo tells FABUtainment how hip hop music saved her life.
Pair of Number One Contender Fights Added to BELLATOR Champions Series on March 22nd
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, today announced seven additional action-packed matchups for the debut of Bellator Champions Series Belfast including two clashes between number one contenders on Friday, March 22 at The SSE Arena, Belfast in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The first battle of number one contenders takes place in the Middleweight division when England’s gifted southpaw striker Fabian Edwards (12-3), will look to use his power to neutralize Canada’s Aaron Jeffery’s (14-4) relentless ground and grappling game. Featherweight number one contenders collide when Ireland’s submission machine James Gallagher (12-2) faces Canada’s jiu-jitsu standout Jeremy Kennedy (19-3) in what will be a battle of wit and stamina. Rounding out the five-fight main card will be a Lightweight fight featuring England’s Tim Wilde (17-4-1) versus undefeated PFL Challengers Series veteran Manoel Sousa (10-0).
The debut Bellator Champions Series Belfast event on March 22 is anchored by a battle for the vacant Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship pitting former title challenger Corey Anderson (17-6, 1 NC) against Northern Ireland’s Karl Moore (12-2), and co-main evented by a Women’s Featherweight rematch between Belfast’s Leah McCourt (8-3) and Dublin’s Sinead Kavanagh (9-6).
The card can be seen live in the U.K. on DAZN beginning at 5 pm GMT / 12 pm ET, additional distribution information including a U.S. broadcast partner will be announced in coming weeks.
The preliminary portion of the event is also beginning to take shape, with the news that homegrown Bellator prospect Ciaran Clarke (8-0) will try to remain undefeated against Darius Mafi (4-1) at 135-pounds, former Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix quarterfinalist Tofiq Musayev (21-5) tangles with London Shootfighters standout Alfie Davis (16-4-1) at Lightweight, Bellator and PFL veteran Nathan Kelly (9-2) of SBG Ireland goes up against India’s Vikas Singh Ruhil (12-7) at Featherweight, and finally undefeated Heavyweights collide when Abraham Bably (3-0) goes toe-to-toe with Isaiah Pinson (3-0).
Updated Bellator Champions Series Belfast Main Card
Light Heavyweight World Title Bout: Corey Anderson (17-6, 1 NC) vs. Karl Moore (12-2)
Women’s Featherweight Co-Main Event: Leah McCourt (8-3) vs. Sinead Kavanagh (9-6)
Middleweight No. 1 Contender Bout: Fabian Edwards (12-3) vs. Aaron Jeffery (14-4)
Featherweight No. 1 Contender Bout: Jeremy Kennedy (19-3) vs James Gallagher (12-2)
Lightweight Main Card Bout: Tim Wilde (17-4-1) vs. Manoel Sousa (10-0)
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Ciaran Clarke (8-0) vs. Darius Mafi (4-1)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Tofiq Musayev (21-5) Alfie Davis (16-4-1)
Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Nathan Kelly (9-2) vs.Vikas Singh Ruhil (12-7)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Abraham Bably (3-0) vs. Isaiah Pinson (3-0)
Tickets for Bellator Champions Series in Belfast are available now beginning at ticketmaster.ie. Doors for Bellator 302 open at 4 pm local time, with the first preliminary bout taking place one hour later at 5 pm.
Prior to the Professional Fighter’s Leagues industry shaping acquisition of Bellator in November of 2023, Bellator held 301 events building a recognized worldwide roster of elite talent. In re-imagining Bellator the PFL will continue the commitment of investing in athletes from underserved regions while continuing to add global stars to the roster.
PFL is the only organization in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight-class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next- generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners.
17th Annual MPTF ‘Evening Before’ Co-Chairs Quinta Brunson, Bob Odenkirk, and More Attend Annual Fundraiser in Support of MPTF
Television’s biggest night took place in West Hollywood, CA on Saturday, January 13th when Emmy Awards® nominees and presenters, along with some of the most powerful entertainment industry influencers, joined together for MPTF’s 17th annual “Evening Before” benefit.
Co-Chaired by Quinta Brunson and Bob Odenkirk, the annual event raised over $2.5 million.
“I’m excited to celebrate with MPTF. We’ve had quite a year, and this organization and its fundraiser has helped many weather the storm, ” said co-chair Quinta Brunson.
Co-chair Bob Odenkirk added, “I’m thrilled to be a co-chair of MPTF’s The Evening Before benefit with Quinta. MPTF really stepped up during a very challenging year to support the entertainment community, and I’m proud to be a part of a fundraiser that will help to sustain that vital support.”
Funds raised for the event will be used to support industry members and their families who benefit from MPTF’s charitable programs and services such as financial assistance, crisis counseling, caregiving support, and residency on the Wasserman Campus in Woodland Hills, “home” to television and film veterans alike. During the recent work stoppages, MPTF received over 13,000 calls for aid and provided over $8 million in charitable financial assistance.
“The Evening Before is always a great night for the guests and MPTF, and this year’s show of incredible solidarity and support was remarkable. The need is still great for many of our industry members who suffered during the recent work stoppage and are not yet back to work, and the support of our many Evening Before sponsors, donors, and guests will make a great impact on their lives,” said MPTF CEO Bob Beitcher.
The 17th Annual “Evening Before” Host Committee consisted of Nicholas Braun, Rachel Brosnahan, Brian Cox & Nicole Ansari-Cox, Kieran Culkin, Phil Dunster, Ayo Edebiri, Meghann Fahy, Brett Goldstein, Kathryn Hahn & Ethan Sandler, Jon Hamm, Taraji P. Henson, Sharon Horgan, Theo James & Ruth Kearney, Riley Keough, Melanie Lynskey & Jason Ritter, Natasha Lyonne, Scott Mescudi (Kid Cudi), Kumail Nanjiani & Emily V. Gordon, Jenna Ortega, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Adam & Naomi Scott, Michael Shannon, Will Sharpe & Sophia di Martino, and Henry & Stacey Winkler.
The Executive Host Committee included Bela Bajaria, Bob Bakish, Greg Berlanti, Frances Berwick, Casey Bloys, Michelle & Paul Buccieri, George Cheeks, Matt Cherniss, Nicole Clemens, Kristin Dolan, Channing Dungey, Joe Earley, Craig Erwich, Megan Haller & Peter Rice, Jeffrey Hirsch, Pearlena Igbokwe, Chris McCarthy, Dan McDermott, Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams, Jay Penske, Jennifer Salke, Tony Vinciquerra, Rob Wade, and Dana & Matt Walden.
This year’s presenting sponsors were Delta Air Lines, Penske Media Corporation (PMC), PEOPLE, and UCLA Health, with additional support from Diamond sponsors Apple TV+, IATSE, Netflix, The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Wondery.
Among the celebrities who attended this year’s event were Awkwafina, Caroline Aaron, F. Murray Abraham, Paulina Alexis, Anthony Anderson, Jonathan Bailey, Ike Barinholtz, Alex Borstein, Zach Braff, Danielle Brooks, Yvette Nicole Brown, Sophia Bush, Lizzy Caplan, Pauline Chalamet, John Cho, Sam Claflin, Auli’i Cravalho, Kristin Davis, Elizabeth Debicki, Ariana DeBose, Zooey Deschanel, Danny DeVito, Adam DiMarco, Nina Dobrev, Colman Domingo, Phoebe Dynevor, Abby Elliott, Nathan Fielder, Frances Fisher, Beatrice Grannò, Max Greenfield, Carla Gugino, Tony Hale, Colin Hanks, Marin Hinkle, Brendan Hunt, Sarah Hyland, Ken Jeong, Rashida Jones, Joe Keery, Keegan-Michael Key, Nick Kroll, Joseph Lee, Matthew Macfadyen, Ashley Madekwe, James Marsden, Rob McElhenney, Camila Morrone, Kaitlin Olson, Evan Peters, Kevin Pollak, Lily Rabe, Matthew Rhys, Christina Ricci, Keri Russell, Alexander Skarsgård, J. Smith-Cameron, Jason Sudeikis, Kiefer Sutherland, Simona Tabasco, Hannah Waddingham, Shaun White, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Jeffrey Wright, and more.
The “Evening Before” was designed as a relaxed town square atmosphere by Studio Komorebi with specialty food provided by Carmelized Productions by Jon Shook & Vinny Dotolo.
Nate Burleson, Former NFL Wide Receiver and Co-Host of CBS Mornings, Hosts “Best of Super Bowl Soulful Celebration”
Atlanta, GA (November 13, 2023) – Get ready for a soul-stirring musical journey just in time for the holidays as the “Best of Super Bowl Gospel Celebration,” Presented by P&G, premieres in national syndication on November 18, airing through January 28. Hosted by former NFL wide receiver and co-host of CBS Mornings, Nate Burleson, the “Best of Super Bowl Gospel Celebration” pays tribute to the iconic moments that have shaped this community-event-turned-television-special over the past twenty-four years. It’s a one-hour celebration of faith, a showcase of extraordinary talent, and a testament to the power of unity.
For nearly a quarter of a century, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, now rebranded as the “Super Bowl Soulful Celebration,” has been a beacon of inspiration during the biggest week in sports. Founded and Executive Produced by Atlanta-based marketing executive Melanie Few, this event seamlessly intertwines the worlds of faith, music, and football, becoming a cherished tradition during the lead-up to the Super Bowl. It stands as the only NFL-sanctioned multicultural program during Super Bowl week, attracting the world’s attention with its extraordinary performances and uplifting messages.
“As a former NFL player, I’ve witnessed firsthand how coming together and finding inspiration impacts not just the game but life beyond the field. Now, stepping into the role of hosting the ‘Best of Super Bowl Gospel Celebration,’ we’re diving back into twenty-five years of heartwarming memories,” shared Burleson, a celebrated Emmy Award-winning studio analyst for the CBS Sports NFL pregame show, “The NFL Today.” “This amazing look back highlights performances we’ll never forget, incredible collaborations, and players sharing stories of hope and strength. It really shows how music, faith, and football are interconnected, making this event something truly special.”
“Reflecting on this remarkable journey toward our Silver Anniversary, I couldn’t be prouder to present the ‘Best Of’ Super Bowl Gospel Celebration. Twenty-four years ago we brought together champions, uniting their powerful testimonies with musical performances that elevated our spirits beyond measure,” recalled Few, also the visionary founder of the all-NFL Players Choir. “The ‘Best Of’ special is a testament to the
incredible evolution and legacy of this event, showcasing the pinnacle of talent and heartfelt moments that have graced our stage.”
In this special “Best Of” TV event, extraordinary throwback performances rekindle the magic created by renowned artists from the past. Soulful renditions by icons like Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, and Fantasia, as well as the spirited collaboration of Snoop Dogg, the late Rance Allen, and The Clark Sisters, take the audience on a trip down memory lane. Performances from Doug E. Fresh, Donnie McClurkin, Kierra Sheard Kelly, The Player’s Choir featuring Jekalyn Carr and Ben Tankard get viewers lifted, while the powerful voices of Yolanda Adams and Le’Andria Johnson create an emotional crescendo. Lecrae and Koryn Hawthorn captivate the audience with their powerful blend of rap and soul, while a spectacular reunion performance by the legendary gospel supergroup Commissioned, featuring Marvin Sapp and Fred Hammond promises an unforgettable highlight of the evening. Each performance becomes a stepping stone on a journey through musical excellence and spiritual upliftment.
Reaching a broad and diverse audience, the show will be syndicated to households across the nation, including but not limited to Chicago (NBC), Washington, DC (CW), Detroit (CBS), Tampa (CW), Orlando (ABC), Raleigh, NC (CBS), Baltimore, MD (CBS), Memphis (FOX), Seattle (CW) and many more. Viewers may check local listings for airdates, times and stations in their area. In addition to national syndication, this special will be available on Hulu.
With preparations underway to celebrate the Silver Anniversary Super Bowl Soulful Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at the Pearl Theater, Palms Casino Resort during Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, this television special serves as a fitting prelude. It sets the stage for what promises to be an even more remarkable and memorable evening honoring 25 years of bringing people together through the shared love of music, faith, and the game of football. Ticket sales begin Dec. 1 at Ticketmaster.com.
