Posted on March 16, 2012 by ted czech

For immediate release –

Jimmy Binns’ Matrix Fights V features the east coast’s toughest, most exciting fighters.

Tonight in Philadelphia, Matrix Fights holds its fifth MMA event at the Sheetmetal Workers Union, and for promoter Jimmy Binns Jr., the show represents the hard work and dedication he has invested in the sport and its fighters so far.

And he’s just getting warmed up.

Binns, who grew up around boxing, and who has been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for several years, has a keen eye for talent, a sharp mind for negotiation, a vast network of connections and the compassion for fighters necessary to maximize their potential.

With only four events under its belt, Matrix Fights has firmly established itself as one of the premier proving grounds on the east coast for fighters striving to reach the sport’s major leagues. Fighters like Gemiyale Adkins, Tim Carpenter, Azunna “Zulu” Anyanwu and Brylan Van Artsdalen have used wins inside the Matrix Fights cage to springboard themselves into bouts with Bellator Fighting Championships, widely regarded as one of the top MMA promotions in the world.

Continuing the Matrix Fights tradition of excellent matchmaking, tonight’s line-up of fights features local fan favorite Sam “The Pride of Briarcliffe” Oropeza taking on vastly-experienced pro Aung La Nsang, who hails from Maryland. In addition, the tough-as-a-wolverine Brylan Van Artsdalen looks to dismantle the well-traveled Billy Vaughan.

It’s Binns self-imposed obligation to give fans their money’s worth, along with a professional approach — he and fellow promoters Phil and Ric Migliarese wear suits to all their events — that makes Matrix Fights a success. “I want them to leave saying, ‘I can’t wait to go to another one,’” he said.

The Migliarese brothers, who run Balance Studios in Philadelphia, are both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts under Relson Gracie, and have produced some of the top submission fighters in the area. In addition, they have recently focused on developing a pro MMA team, Binns said.

After launching Matrix Fights two years ago, Binns watched and listened as fighters told him of “horror stories” involving so-called “managers” who were at the very least negligent in their duties to fighters, or even damaged some fighters’ careers, he said. “Some of these other guys, they sit home and expect to get a paycheck just for booking a fight,” he said. “You have to make the fighters’ lives easier so all they have to worry about is fighting.” He then decided to launch his own management company, Binns Management.

There’s also a great deal of strategy that goes into managing, Binns said. “You have to know when to take the fights; not every fight has to be a war … these managers don’t know how to do that,” he said. And so, just as Binns works hard for his fighters, he expects the same from them, he said. “I don’t want to represent guys that can’t go to the next level because I’m investing my money and time into them,” he said.

That money and time will pay off over time. Binns foresees stepping up the number of Matrix Fights events held each year, and also hopes to have a cable network partner on board sometime soon. In the meantime, it’s all about showbiz, giving patrons a great, entertaining night, he said. “You can come with your girlfriend, you can come with all your boys — it’s turned into a party, having a good time,” Binns said.

Tonight’s event is held at the Sheetmetal Workers’ Union, 1301 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, and begins at 7 p.m. For more information, go to the Matrix Fights website.

Binns’ stable of fighters includes:

Jesus “Chavo” Martinez, 6-2, who fights out of Philadelphia, and along with brother Will Martinez, 3-2-1, another Binns Management fighter, run Martinez BJJ, a Balance Studios affiliate. Jesus Martinez fights on the Bellator 68 card on May 11 and Will Martinez fights at Bellator 65 on April 13.

Ben Reiter, 5-0, who fights out of Arequipa, Peru, is considered one of the top light-heavyweight prospects in the world. He has a fight scheduled in Lima, Peru, in May and then in Matrix Fights 6 on June 15

Tim Carpenter, 8-1, a Balance member and BJJ black belt, and a four-time Bellator veteran.

Marc Stevens, 14-8, a UFC and Strikeforce veteran, will fight at Bellator 63 on March 30. He trains at Jiu-Jitsu nation in South Carolina, a Balance affiliate.

Mike Mucitelli, 1-0, a member of New York’s Tai Kai academy, a Balance affiliate.

Aaron Mesiner, 6-3, a longtime Philadelphia fighter.

Gregory Milliard, 2-2, an Aruban-born fighter now training at Balance, who next fights at Bellator 68.