Team Z will be entering the cage again in the AMMO Fight League’s “No Man’s Land” event!  Both Neil “Beast Mode” Von Flatern and Matt “Machine” Bienia are scheduled to fight for title belts in their divisions on Saturday, October 7.  This should be an exciting night of MMA action in Springfield, Massachusetts, with a full card of additional bouts lined up.

Neil will face Jesse Koslakowski for the 170 division title.  Jesse is a grappler with submission wins in each of his three previous bouts.  Neil is looking to use his rounded package of striking, wrestling and Jiu-jitsu, and focus under pressure to grab the win and improve his record of 4-1.

Matt will square off with Swagath Pillai for the 155 division belt. Pillai is a strong striker with a record of 4-1.  Matt is also a rounded fighter with strong cardio and gritty determination.

Tickets are available at ZenQuest for this exciting event.  So, mark your calendars and come out to support the team!  As always, thanks to our sponsors including: A-List Luxury Car Services, Digitsu, Clayton Creative Media, Victory Force Options Training, Quest Martial Arts, and Jedd L. Hall Attorney at Law.

ZenQuest will host a special "Shugyo" or spirt training in honor of Master Shigeru Takamiyagi on Sunday, October 15th.  The event will be from 1:30 to 3:00 PM to celebrate a lifetime of training, teaching and advancement of Uechi-Ryu Karate.  This is open to all teen and adult students of Uechi-Ryu Karate Do.
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Master Takamiyagi became ill in 2011, and passed away on October 12th , 2014.  He was Sensei Connie’s and Mark’s primary teacher,  and was the owner of the legendary Chatan Dojo in Okinawa.  Sensei Takamiyagi made significant contributions to the development of Uechi-Ryu/ Shohei-Ryu Karate, and has students scattered around the world.  He was also instrumental in organizing the Okinawa Karatedo Kyokai, which is ZenQuest’s parent organization for Karate.

​After the Shugyo training, participants are encouraged to go for some dinner together.  There is no cost associated with the training and meals will be ordered from the menu at the dinner.  This is open to all experience levels.  Please come lend your energy and spirit for some great training and discussion!

Demian Maia is jumping right back into the Octagon after his recent disappointing loss to Tyron Woodley.  The Brazilian jiu-jitsu wizard will take on rising prospect Colby Covington in his hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 28. 

Maia, now 25-7, was defeated by unanimous decision when he challenged for Tyron Woodley’s title in his last outing. The loss snapped a seven-fight winning streak with wins over notable names such as Jorge Masvidal, Carlos Condit, Gunnar Nelson and Neil Magny.

Covington, 12-1, comes into the fight on a four-fight winning streak, most recently defeating Dong Hyun Kim in June.  His only loss came via guillotine choke to Warlley Alves, in December 2015.

Demian Maia is expected to meet Colby Covington at UFC Fight Night 119.  The card will be headlined by a middleweight bout between Lyoto Machida and Derek Brunson.  Demian is expected to drop by ZenQuest about two weeks after this fight to provide another amazing seminar.  Stay tuned for more information on that. 

Good luck to Professor Demian as he continues his MMA journey!