From local roots to the Las Vegas spotlight, Jack Congdon is ready for his biggest fight yet.<\/p>\n
New Bedford-based MMA fighter Jack Congdon<\/a> will step into the national spotlight on Monday, September 2nd as the Main Card event on Dana White\u2019s UFC Contender Series, airing live on ESPN+ at 8:00 P.M. EST.<\/p>\n The 28-year-old welterweight (7-1-0) will face off against Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani (7-2-0) in Las Vegas for what will be the most significant scrap of his career to date.<\/p>\n From Taekwondo Kid to Professional MMA Contender<\/p>\n Congdon\u2019s martial arts journey began when he was just eight years old, a high-energy kid from Lakeville in need of discipline. His parents enrolled him in Taekwondo and Nogi grappling at Lakeville MMA, sparking a passion that would follow him into adulthood.<\/p>\n \u201cI started training when I was a little kid,\u201d Congdon said. \u201cBut I began fighting professionally in 2019 after I graduated college. So I\u2019ve been training for 20 years, fighting for six.\u201d<\/p>\n From local roots to the Las Vegas spotlight, Jack Congdon is ready for his biggest fight yet.<\/p>\n Jack Congdon via Instagram\/onelensinchina\/Cage Titans<\/p>\n Though originally from Lakeville, Congdon now proudly calls New Bedford home.<\/p>\n Building a Resume Worthy of the Octagon<\/p>\n Since going pro, Congdon has compiled an impressive 7-1 record, on top of an undefeated 5-0 amateur run. His relentless work ethic and dedication to taking tough fights earned him local respect, and eventually, the attention of the UFC.<\/p>\n \u201cI just kept grinding, fighting tough guys, building my resume,\u201d he said. \u201cJoe Lauzon reached out to the UFC on my behalf, and after my last fight, they had me penned in for the Contender Series.\u201d<\/p>\n Congdon trains out of multiple local gyms, including Lakeville MMA, Lauzon MMA, KO Gym, and Dan Savery\u2019s BJJ, training daily to prepare for this pivotal moment.<\/p>\n Staying Grounded Ahead of the Biggest Fight of His Life<\/p>\n Despite the high stakes, Congdon\u2019s mindset remains steady.<\/p>\n From local roots to the Las Vegas spotlight, Jack Congdon is ready for his biggest fight yet.<\/p>\n Jack Congdon via Instagram\/onelensinchina\/Cage Titans<\/p>\n \u201cI treat this like every fight. It\u2019s a huge opportunity, but I can\u2019t let it get to my head,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery fight has been important, and this is no different. Just keep improving and stay consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE: Fall River’s Mitch Raposo Officially Signed to the UFC<\/a><\/p>\n Training includes sharpening his striking and grappling, and maintaining peak physical condition: something he supports with a clean fight camp diet.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m eating all-natural foods like lean meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, oats, and I\u2019m big into beet juice right now for cardio,\u201d he said. \u201cBut after the fight? I\u2019m definitely getting pizza. Brick Pizzeria<\/a>\u00a0in downtown New Bedford is my favorite.\u201d<\/p>\n Sponsored by Local Businesses & Fueled by Community<\/p>\n Congdon is backed by a strong network of SouthCoast supporters and sponsors:<\/p>\n Waterman Roofing & Remodeling (Lakeville\/Middleboro)Kyler\u2019s Catch Seafood (New Bedford)Nuance Salon & Spa (New Bedford)The Law Offices of Daniel F. Clifford (Bridgewater)Seaver Construction (Easton)All Punch Creatives (Kilburn Mill \u2013 New Bedford)The Logan Family (Lakeville MMA)Why Not A Pear? (Special needs education nonprofit)<\/p>\n \u201cThese businesses and families help make it possible,\u201d Congdon said. \u201cIt\u2019s awesome to have that kind of support behind me.\u201d<\/p>\n How to Watch Jack Congdon\u2019s FightWatch on: ESPN+Date: Monday, September 2, 2025Start Time: 8:00 P.M. ESTMain Event: Likely between 9:30\u201310:00 P.M.<\/p>\n From local roots to the Las Vegas spotlight, Jack Congdon is ready for his biggest fight yet.<\/p>\n Jack Congdon via Instagram\/onelensinchina\/Cage Titans<\/p>\n Whether you’re from New Bedford, Lakeville, or anywhere on the SouthCoast, tune in and support Jack Congdon as he fights for his UFC future live from Las Vegas.<\/p>\n Weird Sports It’s Now Legal to Bet On in Massachusetts<\/p>\n You might not know what floorball is, but you can now bet on it.<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Michael Rock<\/a><\/p>\n The Best of South Shore Bar PizzaThere’s pizza, and then there’s South Shore Bar Pizza. Birthed in Brockton (and to this writer, perfected in Randolph \u2013\u00a0Lynwood Caf\u00e9 is the true G.O.A.T.), it must meet certain qualifications to be considered “SSBP,” which include: it’s a 10-inch pie; it has a thin, cracker-like crust with minimal “flop;” the cheese is a blend that features more cheddar than mozzarella; and bonus points if you take it home between two carboard-type plates wrapped in flat brown paper bag. They also usually come with “laced” or “burnt” edges (terminology depends on where you are ordering), which is when the sauce and cheese are extended all the way to the edge of the pan, creating a crispy, flavorful coating to the crust. We reached out to the hugely popular South Shore Bar Pizza Social Club Facebook group<\/a> to ask the experts to share the best of the best (in no particular order).<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg<\/p>\n 25 of the Best Pizza Spots on the SouthCoast<\/p>\n Not all pizza is created equal, but the SouthCoast has plenty of options for a high-quality slice. Choose from any of these 25 spots to fully take advantage of National Pizza Day.<\/p>\n Gallery Credit: Maddie Levine<\/p>\n