Tag Archives: Jose Alday

NEW MAIN EVENT, CO-MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED FOR ‘CRICKET WIRELESS PRESENTS COMBATE AMERICAS’ MMA EXTRAVAGANZA IN TUCSON, ARIZONA LIVE ON UNIVISION, UDN AND DAZN ON FRIDAY, JUNE 7


NEW BANTAMWEIGHT MAIN EVENT:
JOSE “POCHITO” ALDAY VS. JUAN PABLO “EL MOLO” GONZALEZ
 
LIGHTWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT:
RAFA “GIFTED” GARCIA VS. ESTEVAN “EL TERRIBLE” PAYAN
 
STRAWWEIGHT FEATURED BOUT:
YAZMIN JAUREGUI VS. CODIE WAREHAM
 Tickets on sale now

LOS ANGELES – May 13, 2019 – Combate Americas today announced both a new main event and a co-main event for it’s star-studded return to AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Ariz., presented by Cricket Wireless, on Friday, June 7, live on television in Spanish in the U.S. on both Univision (12 a.m. ET/PT) and UDN (12 a.m. ET/9 p.m.PT), and in English in the U.S. and Canada on DAZN (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT).
 
Announced today for the “Cricket Wireless Presents Combate Americas: Tucson Unbreakable” Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event was a new bantamweight (135 pounds) main event between former world champion Jose “Pochito” Alday (12-4-1) of Tucson and Juan Pablo “El Molo” Gonzalez (7-2-2) of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
 
Alday was previously scheduled to square off with Irwin “The Beast” Rivera (7-4) in the main event contest, but Rivera has since been forced to withdraw.
 
Also announced today was a lightweight (155 pounds) co-main event featuring the return of undefeated phenom Rafa “Gifted” Garcia (9=0), who will face the most seasoned opponent of his career in Estevan “El Terrible” Payan (17-12, 1 NC).
 
Fighting out of Palm Springs, Calif. via Mexicali, B.C., Mexico, the 24-year-old Garcia, a protégé of MMA superstar Cub Swanson, has been an unstoppable force in La Jaula, the Combate Americas competition cage, since the MMA sports franchise discovered him at an open tryout in 2016.
 
To date, Garcia has earned all but one of his victories by way of (T)KO or submission, including his last conquest, a second round (1:07) submission (rear-naked choke) of Edgar Escarrega at the Combate Americas live event on February 8.


Above: Undefeated finisher Rafa “Gifted” Garcia will return to action in the live televised, Combate Americas lightweight co-main event against Estevan “El Terrible” Payan.

A veteran of over 30 professional bouts, including matchups with a collection of world-ranked rivals, Payan of Tempe, Ariz. will make his debut under the promotion of Combate Americas.
 
Payan will look to notch his second consecutive victory since he defeated Dominic Clark by way of second round (3:17) TKO (punches) on April 21, 2018.
 
In a featured strawweight (115 pounds) bout announced today, Yazmin Jauregui(1-0) will return to action on the heels of her incredible, 13-second knockout (punch) of Daniela Espinosa, and face off with fellow unbeaten upstart Codie Wareham (2-0).

The 21-year-old Jauregui of Tijuana, B.C., Mexico recorded the second fastest finish in Combate Americas history with her stoppage of Espinosa at the ‘Combate Reinas’ event on April 26.
 
Wareham is an aggressive-minded, 24-year-old fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.  She earned her professional debut victory over Carolyn Biskup-Roe via submission (armbar) last November 2, and her second career win by way of first round (2:29) TKO (punches) on Wendy Rodriguez on November 28.
 
In preliminary bout card action, Justin Rascon (2-2) of Tucson will battle Jesus “Bear” Rivas (1-2) of Tucson at flyweight (125 pounds).
 
The previously announced lightweight matchup between Levi Escobar (1-0) of Tucson and Austin Wourms (1-1) of Phoenix has been scrapped due to injury sustained by Escobar.
 
Priced from $15, tickets for “Cricket Wireless Presents Combate Americas: Tucson Unbreakable” are on sale online at CombateAmericas.com/Tucson.    
 
Additional preliminary bouts will be announced soon.
 
Doors at AVA Amphitheater at Casino Del Sol will open for “Cricket Wireless Presents Combate Americas: Tucson Unbreakable” at 6 p.m. local time on June 7, and the first preliminary bout will begin at 7 p.m. 

 
“CRICKET WIRELESS PRESENTS 
COMBATE AMERICAS: TUCSON UNBREAKABLE” FIGHT CARD

 
BANTAMWEIGHT MAIN EVENT
Jose Alday vs. Juan Pablo Gonzalez
 
LIGHTWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT
Rafa Garcia vs. Estevan Payan
 
FEATURED STRAWWEIGHT BOUT:
Yazmin Jauregui vs. Codie Wareham
 
PRELIMINARY BOUT CARD:
Catchweight (190 pounds): Javier Torres vs. Joel Champion
Bantamweight: Eduardo Alvarado Osuna vs. Jose Luis Calvo
Flyweight:  Justin Rascon vs. Jesus Rivas


 
 
# # #

GUSTAVO LOPEZ REPLACES LEVY MARROQUIN IN  COMBATE AMERICAS  WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MAIN EVENT AGAINST JOSE ALDAY  

Former world championship challenger Gustavo Lopez (Pictured below) will replace Levy Marroquin in the Combate Americas bantamweight world championship main event bout tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 14, live on DAZN, Univision and Univision Deportes Network.

LIVE ON DAZN, UNIVISION, & UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK
FROM PHOENIX, ARIZ. TONIGHT, FRIDAY, SEPT. 14

FLYWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT:
TRACY CORTEZ VS. KAREN CEDILLO

FEATURED LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT: 
RAFA “GIFTED” GARCIA  VS. LARUE “THE CANNIBAL” BURLEY

Tickets for “Combate Americas: Marroquin vs. Alday” on sale now

PHOENIX – September 13, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced that former world championship challenger Gustavo Lopez (8-3) will challenge Jose “Pochito” Alday (11-3-1) in the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise’s bantamweight (135 pounds) world championship main event in Phoenix tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 14.

Alday’s original world championship opponent, Levy Marroquin (11-2) of Monterrey, Mexico, was forced to withdraw from the commitment due to symptoms of influenza detected by the Arizona Boxing Commission physician, Dr. Ken Ota.

The much-anticipated, world championship event’s three-fight main card airs live on television in Spanish in the U.S. on both Univision (12 a.m. ET/PT) and Univision Deportes Network (UDN) (12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT)

The complete, nine-bout fight card airs in its entirety on DAZN, the live and on-demand sports streaming platform, in English in the U.S. and Canada, beginning with the first preliminary card bout, at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

The 29-year-old Lopez of Las Vegas, Nev. via Yakima, Wash. is a five-time Combate Americas veteran who, in his last start under the promotional banner, notched an impressive, first-round (2:34) submission (guillotine choke) of Steve Swanson, the brother of MMA superstar Cub Swanson, in the main event of Combate Americas’ debut event in Mexico City, Mexico.

A member of MMA legend Randy Couture’s Xtreme Couture fight camp in Las Vegas, Lopez has produced all of his victories in La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, by way of (T)KO or submission.

Lopez previously challenged fellow star John “Sexi Mexi” Castaneda for the vacant Combate Americas world bantamweight championship on October 14, 2016, but was stopped via fourth round (2:24) TKO (punches) by Castaneda in an epic, see-saw battle. Because Castaneda failed to make weight for the fight, he was not awarded the title.

Alday, who will celebrate his 27th birthday tomorrow, is a native of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and resident of Tucson, Ariz., coming off his career-best victory to date, a split decision win over Castaneda in the main event of the historic, first, live Univision and UDN simulcast of MMA action with “Combate Estrellas I” in Los Angeles, Calif. on April 13.

Priced from $30, tickets for “Combate Americas: Marroquin vs. Lopez” are on sale at CelebrityTheatre.com and Ticketon.com.

Doors at Celebrity Theatre open at 5 p.m. PT, with the first preliminary bout will beginning at 7 p.m.

DAZN AND COMBATE AMERICAS (MMA) SIGN LANDMARK MULTIYEAR DISTRIBUTION DEAL IN U.S. AND CANADA 

DAZN and Combate Americas have announced a landmark, multiyear rights agreement that will bring Combate Americas live MMA action to fans in English in the U.S. and Canada.  MMA superstars Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez (below right) and Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Pena (below left) will call the action alongside play-by-play announcer Max Bretos.

First Fight: Marroquin vs. Alday Bantamweight World Championship Bout on Friday, Sept. 14 

Gilbert Melendez, Julianna Peña and Max Bretos to Call the Action on DAZN

NEW YORK, Sept. 13, 2018 – DAZN, the live and on-demand sports streaming platform, today announced a landmark, multiyear rights agreement with Combate Americas, the premier Hispanic Mixed PhoeMartial Arts (MMA) sports franchise. The deal will bring a minimum of 13 fight nights per year to DAZN.

Beginning with this weekend’s card headlined by Levy Marroquin vs. Jose “Pochito” Alday, DAZN will be the exclusive home of Combate Americas’ English-language broadcasts in the United States and Canada. The Marroquin vs. Alday bout will stream live from Phoenix on DAZN at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Friday, Sept. 14.

Calling the action inside “La Jaula” – the Combate Americas cage – will be MMA superstars Gilbert “El Niño” Melendez and Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña, alongside play-by-play announcer Max Bretos.

Combate Americas is a fast-rising MMA organization known for its action-packed fights and growing audience within the sport. This monumental deal will bring Combate Americas to English-language viewers for the first time.

“We are thrilled to be in partnership with an innovative and global entertainment leader like DAZN, and to be able to showcase the fast-paced, aggressive and in-your-face style of fighting that Combate Americas offers and that, 25 years after I launched the UFC, has re-defined MMA as ‘Mucha Mas Accion,'” said Campbell McLaren, Combate Americas CEO.

“We continue to break new ground in this sports industry, and this deal speaks directly to our pursuit of reaching new heights.”

“Chapter one of DAZN’s entrance into the U.S. market is focused on combat sports,” said Joseph Markowski, DAZN SVP, North America. “And with 80 percent of Combate Americas’ fights ending in a stoppage, we are excited to bring that type of action to fight fans.”

Following the announcement of deals across Matchroom Boxing, Bellator MMA, and the World Boxing Super Series, the Combate Americas deal puts the number of fight nights per year on DAZN at 80+.

The winner of the bantamweight (135 lbs.) matchup between Marroquin, who hails from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico and Alday of Tucson, Ariz. by way of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, will be crowned the first Mexican MMA world champion in history as well as the first world champion in Combate Americas’ history.

Fans can sign up for DAZN for only $9.99 per month by registering at DAZN.com or by downloading the DAZN app on a wide range of connected devices, including smart TVs, PCs, smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. For more information, fans can follow DAZN’s U.S. social channels: @DAZNUSA on Facebook, @DAZN_USA for Twitter, and DAZN_USA for Instagram.

*Cards subject to change.

ABOUT DAZN
DAZN is a global live and on-demand sports streaming service created by fans, for fans, that is leading the charge to provide access to sports anytime, anywhere. DAZN guarantees no long-term contract, no bundles, just one affordable price for access to all of the service’s sports on connected devices including Smart TVs, smartphones, tablets and games consoles. DAZN is currently available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Canada, and Italy, and just launched for $9.99 a month in the U.S. – where it is set to become a must-have for fight fans, with 80+ fight nights already lined up from Matchroom Boxing, Bellator MMA, the World Boxing Super Series, and Combate Americas.

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES NEW CO-MAIN EVENT, SIX OTHER NEW BOUTS FEATURING FIGHTERS REPRESENTING FIVE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES FOR ‘MARROQUIN VS. ALDAY’ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT

Combate Americas has announced seven new bouts, including a new 125-pound limit, co-main event matchup between previously announced Tracy Cortez (below left) of Phoenix, Ariz., USA and Karen Cedillo (below right) of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, for the ‘Marroquin vs. Alday’ world championship event, live on Univision and Univision Deportes Network from Phoenix on Friday, Sept. 14.  

LIVE ON UNIVISION AND UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK
FROM PHOENIX, ARIZ. ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 14

NEW FLYWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT:
TRACY CORTEZ VS. KAREN CEDILLO

FEATURED LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT:
RAFA “GIFTED” GARCIA  VS. LARUE “THE CANNIBAL” BURLEY

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

NEW YORK – August 23, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced a new women’s flyweight (125 pounds) co-main event – Tracy Cortez (3-1) vs,  Karen Cedillo (1-0) – as well as six other new bouts featuring fighters representing five different countries, for the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) franchise’s world championship event in Phoenix  on Friday, Sept. 14, live on both Univision (12 a.m. ET/PT) and Univision Deportes Network (UDN) (12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT).

 

The unbeaten, 29=year-old Cedillo of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico will replace Brandi Narvaez, who was originally slated to face off with Cortez of Phoenix, but was forced to withdraw due to an injury.

 

 

In the previously announced, world championship bantamweight (135 pounds) main event, Monterrey’s Levy Saul Marroquin (11-2), the winner of the inaugural, 2017 “COPA COMBATE,” one-night, eight-man, $100,000 grand prize tournament, will collide with fellow star Jose “Pochito” Alday (11-3-1) of Tucson, Ariz. via Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

 

 

Among the other new fights announced today for the “Combate Americas: Marroquin vs. Alday” world championship event that will take place at Celebrity Theatre were a featured, live televised lightweight (155 pounds) contest between undefeated, rising star and Cub Swanson protégé Rafa “Gifted” Garcia (7-0) and LaRue “The Cannibal” Burley (8-3).

 

 

The 5-foot-7, 24-year-old Garcia of Palm Springs, Calif., USA by way of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, has been on a tear since he made his professional debut nearly four years ago, defeating all but one of his opponents via (T)KO or submission.

 

 

Burley, a 5-foot-10, 34-year-old, seasoned competitor who hails from Phoenix, has faced off with top level adversaries, and is best known for his upset, third round (3:40) TKO (knee strike to the body and punches) of 2011 NCAA Division I national wrestling champion and previously undefeated MMA prospect Bubba Jenkins on Sept. 20, 2013.

 

 

Also announced today was a featherweight (145 pounds) preliminary bout card contest between two unbeaten prospects – Tino Gilaranz (1-0) of Madrid, Spain and Austin Wourms (1-0) of Phoenix.

 

 

In a 140-pound catchweight matchup on the undercard, Roman “El Gallito” Salazar (12-7) of Mammoth, Ariz., USA will return to La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, for the second time in his career, to face Eduardo “El Pube” Alvarado (3-4) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

 

 

Another featherweight scrap will see Javier “Blair” Reyes Rugeles (7-1) of Bogota, Colombiá square off with “Magic” Mike Hamel (5-2) of Gilbert, Ariz., USA.

 

 

In flyweight action, undefeated, rising star Richard Palencia (6-0) of Mesa, Ariz. will take on Federico “The Argentinian Ninja” Oliveira (3-4) of Mendoza, Argentina.

 

 

Battle-tested veterans Yaotzin Meza (21-11) of Glendale, Ariz., USA and Gilbert Aguilar (17-18-1) of Phoenix by way of Mexico City, Mexico will collide at featherweight.

 

 

Additional preliminary bout matchups for “Combate Americas: Marroquin vs. Alday” will be announced soon.

 

 

Priced from $30, tickets for “Combate Americas: Marroquin vs. Alday” are on sale at

CelebrityTheatre.com and Ticketon.com.

 

Doors at Celebrity Theatre open at 6 p.m. PT, with the first preliminary bout beginning at 7 p.m.

COMBATE AMERICAS KNOCKS OUT THE COMPETITION WITH RECORD RATINGS

Over 4.6 Million Television Viewers Tune In For “Combate Estrellas I” Across Univision And Univision Deportes Network In The U.S. And Azteca 7 in Mexico

 

U.S. Television Ratings Increase By 10 Percent with “Combate Estrellas II”
 On Friday, April 20

 

Sponsors Included Anheuser-Busch’s Estrella Jalisco, Advanced Auto Parts, Double Cross Vodka, Hot 6 Energy Drink and Battle Boom Gaming

 

 

NEW YORK– April 26, 2018– Combate Americas today announced ratings for its first two live, 2018 events – “Combate Estrellas I” and “Combate Estrellas II” – which also marked the historic, first-ever live Univision and Univision Deportes Network (UDN) televised Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events, on Friday, April 13 and Friday, April 20, respectively.

 

Despite its start time of midnight ET in the United States, “Combate Estrellas I” delivered a total of 583,000 persons 2+, including 296,000 adults in the coveted 18-49 age group, on the Univision and Univision Deportes Network simulcast, beating Bellator 197, which aired in primetime on the Paramount Network.

 

In Mexico, the event delivered over 4 million live broadcast television viewers on Azteca 7.

 

The Facebook LIVE stream of the “Combate Estrellas I” preliminary bout card, which immediately preceded the 90-minute live television airing of the main card, delivered over 294,000 streams.

 

“The amazing growth of our TV ratings confirms we are the hottest MMA promotion in the world,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.

 

Airing exclusively on UDN in the midnight ET slot the following Friday, April 20, “Combate Estrellas II” delivered another 200,000 total viewers, a 10 percent increase from the first installment of the two-part, “Combate Estrellas” live event series.

Of the total UDN viewers for “Combate Estrellas II,” 67 percent were in the 18-49 age group.

 

The Facebook LIVE stream of the “Combate Estrellas II” preliminary bout card garnered over 630,000 streams, more than doubling the online audience from one week earlier.

 

Like Combate Americas, advertisers also emerged victorious from the record-ratings.

 

“We were thrilled to partner with Anheuser-Busch’s Estrella Jalisco, Advanced Auto Parts, Double Cross Vodka, HOT 6 Energy Drink and Battle Boom Gaming for the event, which allowed them to engage with the consumer on location, as well as reaching millions of consumers through multi-platforms with respective key brand messaging,” said Combate Americas CRO, Mike Pine. “Combate Americas is the only MMA engine in existence today that serves 100 percent a Hispanic demographic, allowing brands to streamline and reach the fastest growing population in the world and a consumer set that will spend close to $1.7 trillion in 2018.”

 

The bantamweight (135 pounds) main event of “Combate Estrellas I” at The Shrine in Los Angeles, Calif. saw Jose “Pochito” Alday (11-3) of Mexico edge out a split decision over superstar John “Sexi Mexi” Castaneda (16-4) of the U.S., while the flyweight (125 pounds) co-main event featured the MMA debut of five-division world boxing champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (0-0-1) who, representing Puerto Rico, valiantly fought Corina Herrera (3-4-1) of the U.S. to a draw.

 

In the first live televised fight of the night, ferocious, featherweight (145 pounds) rising star Jose “Froggy” Estrada (5-1) of the U.S. score a second round (1:43) TKO (knees and punches) on “Ruthless” Rudy Morales (5-6) of Guatemala.

 

Amongst the celebrities who took in the action at The Shrine were Diego Boneta, Camila, Cynthia Olavarria, Victoria La Mala, Flor de Toloache and Forggie.

 

In the bantamweight main event of “Combate Estrellas II” at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, world-ranked superstar and Monterrey native Erik “Goyito” Perez (18-6) avenged a previous defeat at the hands of David “D.J.” Fuentes (13-10) of McAllen, Texas, U.S., scoring a third round (1:22) KO (punches) on Fuentes while, in the bantamweight co-main event, Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo (14-5) of Cordoba, Argentina decimated Fabian Galvan (8-3) of Monterrey via first round (2:34) knockout (punch).

 

Leading off the live telecast, 20-year-old sensation Melissa “Super Melly” Martinez (4-0) extended her unbeaten run by earning a dominant, unanimous decision over Ivanna Martinenghi (4-2) of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

 

Combate Americas returns to UDN on Friday, April 27, beginning at 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT, with “Combate Estrellas III,” a compilation of the best, non-televised fight action from the “Combate Estrellas I” and “Combate Estrellas II” preliminary bout cards.

 

Source: Nielsen, NPM, L+SD data

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES TRIO OF LINEUP CHANGES FOR FIRST-EVER LIVE MMA EVENT ON UNIVISION ON FRIDAY, APRIL 13 FROM LOS ANGELES

Detached retina forces Marc Gomez out,

John Castaneda now faces Jose Alday

in new “Combate Estrellas I” bantamweight main event

 

 

Five-division world boxing champion Amanda Serrano battles Corina Herrera in new flyweight co-main event

 

 

“Froggy” Estrada collides with new opponent Rudy Morales

in first live televised, main card bout
 

 

Los Angeles (April 11, 2018) – Combate Americas, the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise, today announced a trio of lineup changes, including a new bantamweight (135 pounds) main event between John “Sexi Mexi” Castaneda (16-3) of the U.S. and Jose “El Pochito” Alday (10-3) of Mexico, for “Combate Estrellas I,” live on Univision and Univision Deportes Network (UDN) from Los Angeles on Friday, April 13.

 

 

 

The 90-minute, live Univision (12 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT) and UDN (12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT) broadcast of “Combate Estrellas I” from The Shrine marks Univision Deportes’ first-ever live MMA program.

 

 

Originally slated to face off with rival Castaneda in the headlining bout, Marc “Lufo” Gomez was declared medically unfit to compete due to a detached retina that was discovered during the pre-fight physical exam required by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

 

 

 

In the women’s flyweight (125 pounds) co-main event, five-division world boxing champion Amanda “The Real Deal” Serrano (0-0), representing Puerto Rico, will battle a new opponent in veteran Corina Herrera (3-4) of the U.S., after Serrano’s original opponent, Erendira “Aketzaly” Ordonez of Mexico was unable to secure a work visa for the commitment.

 

 

 

Additionally, knockout artist Jose “Froggy” Estrada (4-1) of the U.S. will square off with “Ruthless” Rudy Morales (5-5), representing Guatemala, in the first, live televised main card bout, after Estrada’s original opponent, Pablo Sabori of Mexico, was forced to withdraw from the commitment due to a shin injury.

 

 

 

The three-bout, live televised “Combate Estrellas I” main card will be preceded by a five-fight preliminary bout card.

 

 

 

Priced from $30, tickets for “Combate Estrellas I” are on sale at Ticketon.com.

 

 

 

“Combate Estrellas I” marks Combate Americas’ first live television event of 2018, and the first event of a two-part series featuring a collection of the organization’s top estrellas, or “stars.”

 

 

# # #

 

 

ABOUT COMBATE AMERICAS

Combate Americas is the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise, rapidly becoming the number two sport, after soccer, for Spanish speaking sports fans worldwide.  The Combate Americas franchise includes reality TV programming, live events and mobile programming. The company’s CEO, Campbell McLaren, is universally recognized as the co-founder/co-creator of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). New York Magazine described McLaren as “the marketing genius behind the UFC” and Yahoo! Sports proclaimed that he “knows more about the sport than just about anyone in it today.” With an unprecedented product and a blue-chip ownership and management team, Combate Americas is poised to break new ground and bring about a new era in world championship level MMA competition.

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES COMPLETE LINEUP FOR TIJUANA, MEXICO ON THURSDAY, MARCH 30

LIVE ON AZTECA AMERICA

Bantamweight Main event:
Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo vs. Iván “El Brasil” Flores

Also:

José Alday replaces injured Joey Ruquet, will face Irving Hernández Cristi in a featherweight battle

Unbeaten Nate Diaz protégés Cristian Díaz and José Aguayo to make their respective debuts in La Jaula

NEW YORK – March 17, 2017 – Combate Americas today announced the completion of a stellar, 11-bout card for its debut in Tijuana, Mexico on Thursday, March 30, live on Azteca America in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m from the Auditorio Municipal.

TV Azteca will broadcast “Combate12” in Mexico on Friday at 11:00 p.m., and UFC Fight Pass® will distribute an English-language version of the event as a video on demand (VOD).

“Combate12” will be headlined by a bantamweight (135 pound) showdown between Argentinean Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo (10-4) and Monterrey, Mexico native Iván “El Brasil” Flores (8-1-1).

Rojo, a veteran of season three of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America, will look to make a statement in his first start in La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, when he faces Flores, who will be on a mission to defend the honor of his house.

Rojo will fight for the first time in Mexico after an extensive career in South American arenas where he has become one of the most popular fighters in the region.
Flores, meanwhile, will look to rebound from a second round (3:11) submission (arm-triangle choke) defeat at the hands of Mark “The Bumblebee” Delarosa at “Combate10” in Mexico City, Mexico in January.

Another contestant from the third season of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America, Costa Rican Walter Zamora (9-2), will face Monterrey native Alex “Gallito” Flores (8-1) in the “Combate12” co-main event; the Mexican fighter has one goal only, and that is to defend the honor of his country in the featherweight (145 pounds) bout.

In one of the most anticipated Combate Americas battles of 2017, Erick “The Ghost Pepper” González (5-2) of Los Angeles, California returns to action less than two months after his “Fight of the Night” performance against Danny “The Realist” Ramírez in the main event of “Combate11.”

Gonzalez will collide with Marco Antonio “La Roca” Elpidio (7-1) of Mexico City.  Elpidio was victorious by way of split decision over Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas at “Combate10.”

After sustaining a broken nose in training, Joey “El Cazador” Ruquet of Las Vegas, Nev. has been replaced by Jose “El Pochito” Alday (9-2) of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico.

Alday, whose last start on October 15 against Mahatma Chit-Bala Garcia Avalos resulted in a draw, will square off with Irving “Moreno” Hernandez (4-2) of Tijuana.  Hernandez is a winner of his last three bouts, two by (T)KO.

In addition, two of UFC star Nate Diaz’s Stockton, Calif.-based, undefeated protégés, José Aguayo (2-0) and Christian Giovannie (1-0), will make their respective promotional debuts.

Aguayo will face Gilbert Santos (1-2) Ensenada, Mexico in a featherweight matchup, while Giovannie will fight Angel Gonzalez (0-0), also of Ensenada, in a bantamweight tilt.

COMBATE12 FIGHT CARD
Main Event
Marcelo Rojo (10-4) vs. Iván Hernández Flores (8-1-1)
Division: 135 lbs. (Bantamweight)

Co-Main Event
Walter Zamora (9-2) vs.  Alex “Gallito” Flores (8-1)
Division: 145 lbs. (Featherweight)

Marco Antonio Elpidio (7-1) vs. Erick González (5-2)
Division: 155 lbs. (Lightweight)

Christopher Ramírez (5-1) vs. Alex Velasco (6-1)
Division: 170 lbs. (Welterweight)

Pablo Sabori (6-3) vs. Levy Saúl Marroquín (7-1)
Division: 145 lbs. (Featherweight)

José Aguayo (2-0) vs. Gilbert Santos (1-2)
Division: 145 lbs. (Featherweight)

Ramón Lopez (1-2) vs. Marcos Bonilla (4-3)
Division: 155 lbs. (Lightweight)

José Alday (9-2) vs. Irving Hernández (4-2)
Division: 145 lbs. (Featherweight)

Pablo Olea (5-5) vs. Eduardo Varela Soto (2-1)
Division: 135 lbs. (Bantamweight)

Christian Giovannie (1-0) vs. Ángel González (0-0)
Division: 135 lbs. (Bantamweight)

Oscar Quintero (2-1) vs. Oscar Chairez (1-0)
Division: 125 lbs. (Flyweight)

#combateamericas
#combate12
#lajaulaiscalling