Tag Archives: Campbell McLaren

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA, women's MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES SEVEN-BOUT PRELIMINARY CARD FOR STACKED MMA EVENT FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1ST IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Leave a comment
All preliminary bouts stream live on the
Telemundo Deportes En Vivo App and TelemundoDeportes.com,
beginning at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT

Main card airs live on Telemundo at 12 a.m. ET/11 p.m. CT

SAN ANTONIO, TX – November 29, 2017 – Combate Americas today announced a complete, seven-fight preliminary bout card lineup for it’s first-ever live television event in Texas State – “TS-1 Promotions Presents: Combate 19 (Queen Warriors)” – taking place at Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio – onFriday, December 1, live on Telemundo (12 a.m. ET/11 p.m. CT).

The preliminary fight card will stream live in its entirety on the Telemundo Deportes En Vivo app, TelemundoDeports.com and Facebook Live, beginning at9 p.m. ET/8 p.m., CT, immediately prior to the live Telemundo broadcast of the three-fight main card headlined by the much-anticipated women’s atomweight (105 pounds) showdown between rivals Kyra “Mogwai” Batara (6-4) of Las Vegas, Nev. and Paulina “Firefox” Granados (4-2) of Corpus Christi, Texas.

At the top of the undercard lineup, rising star and former Fort Hood U.S. Marine Corps Combatives Instructor Ray “The Judge” Rodriguez (12-4) of San Antonio will battle submission ace Michael “Mayhem” Rodriguez (9-5) of Donna, Texas in a bantamweight (135 pounds) contest.

On the heels of her professional debut win in September, Brenda “Little Hands of Stone” Enriquez (1-0) of Salt Lake City, Utah will face off with 12-time Spanish National Judo Champion Vanesa Rico (2-3) of Alicante, Spain in a second women’s atomweight tilt.

Aggressive-minded finisher Heinrich “Ricky Scraps” Wassmer (6-1) of Los Angeles, Calif. will return to La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, to lock horns with undefeated Juan Deantes (3-0) of Harlingen, Texas in a flyweight (125 pounds) scrap.

In a lightweight (155 pounds) meeting between two San Antonio residents, unbeaten Fernando Rodriguez (2-0) and Jesse Almaraz (1-2) – will face off against each other.

Priced from $30, tickets for TS-1 Promotions Presents: “Combate 19 (Queen Warriors),” are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

Calling the action live will be multiple-time WWE Heavyweight Champion and retired, former MMA star Alberto Del Rio, Telemundo Deportes’ Edgar Lopez, Combate Americas superstar Erik “Goyito” Perez, play-by-play man Andres Bermudez and Andrea Calle.

Complete Preliminary Fight Card

  • Catchweight (140 pounds):
    • Ray Rodriguez (12-4), San Antonio, TX vs. Michael Rodriguez (8-5), Donna, TX
  • Atomweight (105 pounds):
    • Vanesa Rico (2-3), Alicante, Spain vs. Brenda Enriquez (1-0), Salt Lake City, UT
  • Bantamweight (135 pounds):
    • David Jesus Fuentes (12-10), McAllen, TX vs. Joel Scott (6-6), Port Arthur, TX
  • Flyweight (125 pounds):
    • Heinrich Wassmer (6-1), Los Angeles, CA vs. Juan Deantes(3-0), Harlingen, TX
  • Catchweight (140 pounds):
    • Javier Obregon (11-14), Ft. Worth, TX vs. Jose Ceja (4-4), Port Arthur, TX
  • Flyweight (125 pounds):
    • David Miramontes (3-2), San Antonio, TX vs. Federico David Olivera (2-4), Irving, TX
  • Lightweight (155 pounds):
    • Fernando Rodriguez (2-0), San Antonio, TX vs. Jesse Almaraz (1-2), San Antonio, TX

Complete Main Fight Card

  • Atomweight (105 pounds) Main Event:
    • Kyra Batara (4-2), Las Vegas, NV vs. Paulina Granados (4-2), Corpus Christi, TX
  • Featherweight (145 pounds) Co-Main Event:
    • Andres Quintana (12-2), Albuquerque, NM vs. Rey Trujillo(21-19), Houston, TX
  • Welterweight (170 pounds) Featured Bout:
    • Daniel Rodriguez (4-0), Los Angeles, CA vs. Victor Reyna (9-3), Dallas, TX

 
Combate Americas

 Women’s Main Event Features Long-Awaited Showdown Between Fierce Rivals Kyra Batara and Paulina Granados

Leave a comment

Winner of Batara-Granados matchup to represent the U.S.
in first-ever Pan-Regional championship

Multiple-time WWE Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio to call the action alongside Telemundo Deportes’ Edgar Lopez live on Telemundo at 12 a.m. ET/11 p.m. CTCOMBATE AMERICAS AND TELEMUNDO DEPORTES
ANNOUNCE LIVE BROADCAST OF STAR-STUDDED MMA EVENT
FROM SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS ON FRIDAY, DEC. 1

MIAMI – November 21, 2017 – On the heels of a historic, first partnership together, Combate Americas and Telemundo Deportes announced today, the live broadcast on Telemundo, (12 a.m. ET/11 p.m. CT) of the worldwide premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise’s much-anticipated next event, headlined by a women’s showdown between fierce atomweight (105 pounds) rivals Kyra “Mogwai” Batara (6-4) and Paulina “Firefox” Granados(4-2), from the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas on Friday, Dec. 1.

The victor of the matchup between the 23-year-old Batara of Las Vegas, Nev. and the 29-year-old Granados of Corpus Christi, Texas – both unbeaten to date in La Jaula – will represent the U.S. against ferocious finisher Lisbeth “Coneja” Lopez Silva (5-3) in the first-ever Combate Americas Pan-Regional championship bout in February 2018.

“We are thrilled to continue this tremendous partnership with Telemundo Deportes as Combate Americas closes out a banner year filled with incredible milestones, and presents a fight card on December 1 that is highlighted by one of the most competitive rivalries in our sport today, the culmination of which will see it’s winner represent the U.S. in a high-stakes championship fight,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.

Calling the action live on Telemundo will be famed, multiple-time WWE Heavyweight Champion and retired MMA star Alberto Del Rio, Telemundo Deportes’ Edgar Lopez, Combate Americas superstar Erik “Goyito” Perez, play-by-play man Andres Bermudez and Andrea Calle.

In a previously announced, featherweight (145 pounds) co-main event, hard-hitting, fast-rising star Andres “The Bullet” Quintana (12-2) of Albuquerque, N.M. will face his most formidable opponent to date, battle-tested Rey “The Warrior” Trujillo (21-19) of Houston, Texas.

Opening the live Telemundo Deportes broadcast will be a welterweight (170 pounds) contest between two heavy-handed knockout artists, undefeated Daniel Rodriguez (4-0) and Victor “Kelevra” Reyna (9-3).

The 30-year-old Rodriguez of Los Angeles, Calif. has yet to be pushed the distance of a fight, finishing all of his opponents to date by way of (T)KO or submission.

In his last start for Combate Americas on April 20, Rodriguez scored a thunderous, first round (1:55) knockout (punches) on Joel Champion.

Like Rodriguez, the 31-year-old Reyna of Dallas, Texas is a devastating striker who has notched eight of his nine professional career wins by (T)KO or submission.

Reyna also last saw action for Combate Americas on April 20, punishing Andrew Perez with a flurry of punches to score a first round (1:53) victory by way of (T)KO.

Priced from $30, tickets for TS-1 Promotions Presents: “Combate 19: Batara vs. Granados,” are on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

The event takes place just three weeks after Combate Americas made its live debut on Telemundo Deportes on Saturday, Nov. 11 with “COPA COMBATE,” an epic affair headlined by a one-night, eight-man bantamweight (135 pounds) tournament that awarded its winner – Levy Saul Marroquin (11-2) of Monterrey, Mexico – a grand prize of $100,000.

“COPA COMBATE,” which took place in Cancun, Mexico, marked the first live Telemundo broadcast in history of MMA programming, and saw Marroquin defeat three top-ranked, world-class opponents in one night to emerge the tournament victor.

Telemundo Deportes, one of the leading providers of sports content in Spanish in the United States, is home to two of the world’s most popular sporting events: the FIFA World Cup™ through 2026 and the Summer Olympic Games through 2032. It is also the home of the FIFA Club World Cup until at least 2018. In addition, Telemundo Deportes broadcasts the FIFA World Cup™ CONCACAF qualifying matches for most of the region, including the Mexico and USA national teams’ away matches and the Premier League. Telemundo Deportes is also home to “Boxeo Telemundo Ford,” the #1 boxing program in Spanish, and “Titulares y Más,” the #1 sports news, entertainment and commentary show in Spanish, among other recognized sports properties.
Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES JOHN “SEXY MEXY” CASTANEDA FOR “COPA COMBATE” ONE-NIGHT, EIGHT-MAN $100,000 GRAND PRIZE TOURNAMENT ON NOVEMBER 11

Leave a comment
John “Sexy Mexy” Castaneda (14-2) (right) has been announced as the first entrant into Combate Americas’ historic, one-night, eight-man bantamweight (135 pounds) “Copa Combate” tournament that will award its winner a grand prize of $100,000 in Cancun, Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Historic event takes place in Cancun, Mexico
on the 24th anniversary of
Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren’s UFC 1

NEW YORK – September 28, 2017 –Combate Americas today announced the entry of 25-year-old trailblazer and its all-time winningest fighter, John “Sexy Mexy” Castaneda (14-2), into “Copa Combate,” the historic, one-night, eight-man bantamweight (135 pounds) Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) tournament that will award its winner of three consecutive bouts a grand prize of $100,000 in Cancun, Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 11.

“Copa Combate” takes place on the 24th anniversary of UFC 1, which was executive produced by Combate Americas CEO and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-founder, Campbell McLaren.  The storied event set off a combat sports revolution, and changed the martial arts fight world forever.

Castaneda of Mankato, Minn. will enter La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, riding a nine-fight win streak that dates back to May 2015, and that recently extended on August 1 when he put on a dominant performance to earn a unanimous decision over Cheyden Leialoha in UFC President Dana White’sTuesday Night Contender Series.

“We are excited to welcome John Castaneda back to Combate Americas, where he has amassed the most wins of any fighter in our young, but fast-growing organization, and delivered some of the most memorable moments ever in La Jaula with his explosive style of fighting and vicious knockout power,” said McLaren.

Following the recent victory, Castaneda signed a new, exclusive, multi-fight promotional agreement with Combate Americas, which was the first organization to place him on a national stage during its debut live event that aired on NBC Universo from Las Vegas, Nev. on September 17, 2015.  Castaneda immediately shined, defeating Justin Governale by way of unanimous decision.

In his last start in La Jaula on May 5, Castaneda scored a devastating, second round (:42) TKO (punches) on five-time UFC veteran Chris “The Real Deal” Beal.

The remaining seven “Copa Combate” tournament competitors will be announced soon, and will hail from various parts of Latin America, as well as Spain and the U.S., marking the first time in history that fighters will represent their respective countries on a mission to achieve greatness.

Tournament fighters will be separated into four brackets, and the top four fighters will be assigned seeded positions based on their respective worldwide rankings.  Quarterfinal stage opponents for the four seeded fighters will be determined based on a lottery ball drawing.

The host venue in Cancun for “Copa Combate,” as well as ticket on-sale information for the event, will be announced soon.
Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES $100,000 GRAND PRIZE ONE-NIGHT, EIGHT-MAN ‘COPA’ TOURNAMENT ON SATURDAY, NOV. 11 FROM CANCUN, MEXICO

Leave a comment
Combate Americas has announced “Copa Combate,” a one-night, eight-man, $100,000 grand prize tournament in the bantamweight (135 pounds) division, for Saturday, Nov. 11 in Cancun, Mexico.  

Bantamweight showdown on the 24th anniversary of Campbell McLaren’s UFC 1 pits ferocious fighters from the U.S., Latin America and Spain in an unprecedented ‘Copa’-style, country versus country showdown

NEW YORK – September 20, 2017 –Combate Americas today announced a historic, one-night, eight-man bantamweight (135 pounds) tournament – “COPA COMBATE” – the winner of which will have heroically battled through three bouts in one night to earn a $100,000 grand prize and the inaugural winner’s cup, in Cancun, Mexico on Saturday, Nov. 11.

The epic event will take place on the 24th anniversary of the now legendary UFC 1, which was executive produced by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-founder and Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren, and which was also headlined by a one-night, eight-man tournament that forever changed the world of combat sports.

“We are excited to unveil the first ‘COPA COMBATE’ tournament ever, and to revitalize and deliver to fans one of the most compelling and athletically challenging formats for a live fight show,” said McLaren.

“When I launched the UFC 24 years ago, we changed the world and, onNovember 11, we are going to do so again with a dynamic tournament that assembles a collection of fighters that most deserve to represent their respective countries,” continued McLaren.  “These fighters will put their national pride on the line with a substantial payoff.”

Hailing from the U.S., Latin America and Spain, the eight “Copa Combate” competitors, whose names will be announced soon, will go to war in La Jaula, the Combate Americas competition cage, over the course of three tournament stages – quarterfinal, semifinal and championship – before the eventual winner is crowned.

The event also marks the first time in history that fighters will represent their respective countries on a quest to win the inaugural ‘COPA.’

The eight competitors will be separated into four tournament brackets, with the top four fighters given seeded positions based on their worldwide rankings.  Quarterfinal stage opponents for the four fighters will be determined based on a lottery ball drawing.

The host venue in Cancun for “Copa Combate,” as well as ticket on-sale information for the event, will be announced soon.
Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA, UFC, WWE

COMBATE AMERICAS NAMES SPORTS MEDIA SPONSORSHIP SALES EXECUTIVE  MIKE PINE, FIRST-EVER CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Leave a comment
Combate Americas has named Mike Pine (pictured) the company’s first-ever Chief Revenue Officer.  Pine joins Combate Americas after a two-year stint with FanDuel, where he served as GM, Integrated Partnerships.

Former FanDuel GM, UFC, IRONMAN AND WWE Global Head of Sales
 joins the world’s premier Hispanic MMA sports franchise
In its most explosive growth period to date

NEW YORK – September 13, 2017 – Combate Americas announced today that it has named storied, sports industry business development and sponsorship sales leader Mike Pine, the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports and media franchise’s first-ever Chief Revenue Officer.

Coming off a two-and-a-half-year tenure as GM, Integrated Partnerships for FanDuel, Pine, who was responsible for breaking unprecedented ground for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) by securing blue-chip advertising clients Bud Light and Harley Davidson, for the longest-standing MMA organization, will report to Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.

“We are thrilled to welcome Mike Pine, an authentic trailblazer in the world of sports and entertainment brand partnerships, to Combate Americas,” said McLaren, also the co-founder of the original UFC.

“Mike’s incredible track record,” continued McLaren, “and extensive book of high-level relationships with marketers from worldwide, renowned brands across a wide range of product categories, speak for themselves, and we are looking forward to having him spearheading our sales efforts as we continue to aggressively expand our footprint across the globe with a fast-growing schedule of live and special events, and television programming for 2018 and beyond.”

Pine will be responsible for building Combate Americas’ portfolio of sponsor partners which, to date, has included the U.S. Army; Aspira A Mas, a Hispanic consumer-targeted offshoot of health insurance industry giant IHC; and consumer electronics pioneer Altec Lansing, across the organizations’ year-round live television event series in the U.S., Mexico and overseas.

Combate Americas television programming airs weekly, including once per month live, in over 137 million homes across the U.S. and Mexico on Azteca America and TV Azteca, respectively, and has been averaging over 3.5 million viewers per episode since “Combate Azteca” premiered in November.

The franchise’s monthly live events also air in an additional 47 million plus homes across Latin America on ESPN LATAM, and it’s most recent event, “Combate Clásico,” a partnership with Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross’ RSE Ventures that took place on July 27, two days before RSE’s “El Clásico Miami” soccer match between legendary clubs Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, ushered the Latino flavored brand to national television in Spain for the first time ever with coverage of the nine-bout fight card in over 20 million homes on the country’s popular sports network, GOL TV.

During his stint at FanDuel, Pine compiled an impressive roster of first-ever landmark industry advertising partners for the online daily fantasy sports platform, including Bud Light, FORD Motor Company, Corona Extra, HBO Sports, Chef’s Cut and Bacardi.

As Global Head of Sales & Partnerships for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Pine forged and developed a host of relationships for the publicly traded, worldwide leading professional sports entertainment brand, with leading consumer electronic, retail and food brands, including Norelco, XBOX, Footlocker, KMART and General Mills.

Prior to his time with WWE, Pine led and oversaw the development of globally renowned agency IMG’s NCAA collegiate sports.  His time at IMG was proceeded as IRONMAN Global Chief Sales Officer & Eight Years @ Turner Broadcasting.

Pine is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and served as Captain, U.S. Air Force.

# # #
Amateur MMA, Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES MULTI-YEAR, LIVE TELEVISION EVENT PARTNERSHIP WITH FAST-GROWING LEISURE OPERATOR HYBRID ONE IN REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA

Leave a comment

Partnership kicks off with explosive, nine-bout MMA fight card for
Mexican Independence Day from The Amphitheater at Splash Kingdom on Friday, Sept 15

Tickets for “Combate Americas: El Grito en La Jaula” on sale at Ticketon.com

NEW YORK – August 29, 2017 – Combate Americas announced today that it has partnered with Southern California-based leisure operator Hybrid One to produce multiple, live televised Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events in California’s Inland Empire, beginning with a nine-bout fight card for Mexican Independence Day, at The Amphitheater at Splash Kingdom Waterpark in Redlands on Friday, Sept. 15.

“Combate Americas: El Grito en La Jaula,” the event that kicks off the partnership, will air live on Azteca America in the U.S. and on ESPN Latin America at 10 p.m. ET, and will be headlined by a featherweight (145 pounds) matchup between ferocious, 26-year-old rising star Jose “Froggy” Estrada(3-1) of Oxnard, Calif. and gritty battler Izic “Lionheart” Fernandez (2-3) of Santa Ana, Calif.

In the women’s atomweight (105 pounds) co-main event, former Eddie Bravo protégé Kyra “Mogwai” Batara (6-4) of Las Vegas, Nev., fresh off her second-round submission victory over 12-time Spanish National Judo Champion Vanesa Rico, will make a quick return to La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, where the 22-year-old will face off with Jenna Serio (3-2) of New York, N.Y.

Priced from $40, tickets for “Combate Americas: El Grito en La Jaula” are on sale at Ticketon.com.

“We are excited to partner with Hybrid One, and continue the rapid expansion of our live event series to yet another market in Southern California, beginning with a phenomenal fight card in honor of Mexican Independence Day,” said Combate Americas CEO and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-founder Campbell McLaren.

“We acquired Splash Kingdom in April of this year with the vision of transforming it into the Inland Empire’s leading entertainment destination.  Today’s partnership with Combate Americas represents a significant step toward realizing that vision,” said Hybrid One co-founder and co-owner Ryan Sauter.

Following the kick-off event on Sept. 15, Combate Americas expects to return to the Redlands venue in December.

A second women’s atomweight matchup at “Combate Americas: El Grito en La Jaula” will pit two professional debut competitors – Brenda Enriquez (0-0) of Salt Lake City, Utah against Shyann Farmer (0-0) Alamogordo, N.M.

The 28-year-old Enriquez is coming off a stellar amateur career during which she amassed a 7-1 record, with 6 of her victories coming by way of either (T)KO or submission.

Farmer is a 24-year-old upstart who collected an amateur record of 4-1.

Elsewhere on the fight card, undefeated, emerging star Rafael “Gifted” Garcia (4-0) of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico will make his second start in La Jaula and face off with three-time Combate Americas veteran Marcos “El Matador” Bonilla (4-4) of Los Angeles, Calif. in a featherweight contest.

In a battle between unbeaten lightweights (155 pounds) Javier “Habanero” Garcia (2-0) of Covina, Calif. will take on Guillermo Gonzalez (3-0) of San Bernardino, Calif.

Fresh off his first-round submission victory at Combate Americas on May 5, Ralph “The Spyder Monkey” Acosta (17-12) of Riverside, Calif. will collide with Cub Swanson student Gareth De La Cruz (6-1) of Palm Springs, Calif.

Doors at The Amphitheater at Splash Kingdom Waterpark open at 6 p.m.  The first bout will begin at 6:30 p.m.

COMPLETE “COMBATE AMERICAS: EL GRITO EN LA JAULA” FIGHT CARD

Featherweight Main Event (Live on Azteca America and ESPN Latin America):
Jose Estrada vs. Izic Fernandez

Atomweight Co-Main Event (Live on Azteca America and ESPN Latin America):
Kyra Batara vs. Jenna Serio

Preliminary Card:
Featherweight:  Rafael Garcia vs. Marcos Bonilla
Lightweight:  Javier Garcia vs. Guillermo Gonzalez
Atomweight:  Brenda Enriquez vs. Shyann Farmer
Flyweight:  Ralph Acosta vs. Gareth De La Cruz
Flyweight:  Isaac Camarillo vs. Heber Castillo
Catchweight (140 pounds): Angel Gonzalez vs. Julio Aguilera
Middleweight: Santiago Diaz vs. Alex Thompson
Amateur MMA, Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ADDS FIVE NEW BOUTS TO STACKED “COMBATE CLÁSICO” LINE UP IN MIAMI ON THURSDAY, JULY 27

Leave a comment
Combate Americas superstar Ricky “El Gallero” Palacios (right) returns to action at “Combate Clascio” at Mana Wynwood in Miami on July 27.  Palacios will face his biggest test to date in Nate Diaz protege Chris Avila. Photo credit: Scott Hirano/Combate Americas LLC

COMBATE AMERICAS ADDS FIVE NEW BOUTS TO STACKED “COMBATE CLÁSICO” LINE UP IN MIAMI ON THURSDAY, JULY 27

Ricky “El Gallero” Palacios returns for a featherweight showdown
opposite Chris Avila

Plus:
Bantamweight: Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo vs. Billy Molina
Featherweight: Alberto Montes vs. Jonathan Quiroz
Bantamweight: Irvin “The Beast” Rivera vs. Chino Duran
Bantamweight: Joey “El Cazador” Ruquet vs. Vinney “The Instigator” Pantaleon

NEW YORK – July 11, 2017 – Combate Americas and Relevent Sports, a division of RSE Ventures, today announced five new marquee bouts to its upcoming “Combate Clásico” professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event in Miami, Fla., on Thursday, July 27.

Making his return to the Combate Americas cage La Jaula is top-ranked bantamweight (135 pounds) star Ricky “El Gallero” Palacios (8-1), who will move up to the featherweight (145 pounds) division for the second time in his Combate Americas career to face his toughest test to date – two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran and Nate Diaz protégé, Chris Avila (5-4) of Stockton, Calif.

“This is shaping up to be our most stellar fight card, from top to bottom, to date. With the matchup between Ricky Palacios and Chris Avila, we are destined for another memorable night of electrifying action in La Jaula,” Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren said.

Fresh off his triumphant victory over another former UFC star Roman “El Gallito” Salazar at Combate 13 on April 20, the hard-hitting 30-year-old Palacios of Mission, Texas, also an unbeaten professional boxer, looks to extend his five-fight winning streak.

The 24-year-old Avila of the famed Cesar Gracie Fight Team makes his debut in La Jaula following a pair of hard-fought decisions under the UFC.

In bantamweight action, the red-hot Marcelo “Pitbull” Rojo (11-4) aims for his fourth consecutive win and second straight inside La Jaula following his blistering, technical knockout win over Ivan Hernandez “Brasil” Flores at Combate 12 last March in Tijuana, Mexico.

The 29-year-old Argentinian will be paired off against Puerto Rican sensation Billy Molina (5-3), 30, making his Combate Americas debut after last month’s return to action in Bayamon.

Joining the featherweight (145 pounds) division for “Combate Clásico” is undefeated Venezuelan finisher Alberto Montes (3-0). Fighting out of the MMA Masters gym in Miami, the 23-year-old prospect locks horns with 30-year-old Combate Americas veteran Jonathan Quiroz (2-2) of Long Beach, Calif.

Grizzled veteran Irvin “The Beast” Rivera (5-3), best known for his thrilling, back-and-forth wars with Jose “Ghost” Ceja, looks to get back to his winning ways at the expense of prolific bantamweight wrestler Chino Duran (8-9), who makes his return to Combate Americas after a torrid run on the Florida MMA circuit.

Rounding out the newest additions to “Combate Clásico” is 24-year-old Joey “El Cazador” Ruquet (4-1), coming off consecutive wins in La Jaula and ready to make a run at the top of the bantamweight division by tangling with Florida’s own Vinney “The Instigator” Pantaleon (1-1).

Tickets for “Combate Clásico” are on sale online at Ticketon.com. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming days.

The “Combate Clásico” live MMA event will join a nearly week-long extravaganza that begins with a match between marquee soccer clubs Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain at Hard Rock Stadium on July 26 as well as concerts, parties and other interactive events prior to El Clásico Miami on July 29.

For more information on El Clásico Miami fans can visit elclasicomiami.com and internationalchampionscup.com.

# # #
Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS RETURNS TO MEXICO CITY ON FRIDAY, JUNE 30

Leave a comment

Danny “The Realist” Ramirez (pictured) will collide with Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas in the lightweight main event of “Combate 15” in Mexico City, Mexico on Friday, June 30.

 LIVE ON AZTECA AMERICA

LIGHTWEIGHT MAIN EVENT:
RODRIGO “KAZULA” VARGAS VS. DANNY “THE REALIST” RAMIREZ

Featherweight Co-Main Event:
Levy “El Negro” Marroquin vs. Andres “The Bullet” Quintana

Featured Women’s Strawweight Bout:
Melissa “Melly” Martinez vs. Yajaira “Shokolate” Romo

Tickets for “Combate 15” on sale soon

NEW YORK – May 25, 2017 – Combate Americas will make its highly-anticipated return to Mexico City, Mexico, with a stacked lineup of professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) action at the storied Salas de Armas on Friday, June 30, live on Azteca America at 10 p.m. ET.

In the “Combate 15” lightweight (155 pounds) main event, recent Combate Americas “Fight of the Night” winner Danny “The Realist” Ramirez (6-2) will square off with seasoned battler Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas (6-3).

In the featherweight (145 pounds) co-main event, Levy “El Negro” Marroquin (5-1) looks for his second straight win when he collides with the red-hot Andres “The Bullet” Quintana (11-2).

Additionally, Combate Americas will produce its second women’s strawweight (115 pounds) matchup in history when unbeaten upstart Melissa “Melly” Martinez (1-0) goes head-to-head with the venerable Yajaira “Shokolate” Romo (3-2).

“There is no better way to kick off our summer fight campaign than by returning to Mexico City,” Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren said.

“Since we brought the Combate Americas live event series to Mexico for the first time in January,” McLaren continued, “we have been unearthing some of the fiercest, young fight talent in a country that has a proud history of producing legendary world champions and, on June 30, fans will see some of the most electrifying action to date in ‘La Jaula.’”

Additional “Combate 15” matchups will be announced soon.

Rodrigo Vargas vs. Danny Ramirez

The 5-foot-7, 31-year-old Vargas heads into “Combate 15” having won four of his last five starts, with all four victories coming by way of knockout or submission.

Fighting out of Mexico City, “Kazula” will have the hometown crowd on his side as he looks to rebound from last January’s razor-thin decision loss to Marco Antonio Elpidio in what was an epic, see-saw battle at “Combate 10.”

Ramirez, 28, has more than seven years’ experience in the U.S. Marine Corps, which “The Realist” was able to parlay into a successful cagefighing career. After shredding the amateur circuit, the 5-foot-9 Californian turned pro, compiling an impressive 6-2 record with four knockouts.

His most recent victory also received “Fight of the Night” honors at last February’s “Combate 11” affair, where Ramirez upset fan-favorite Erick “Ghost Pepper” Gonzalez in a three-round war in Burbank, Calif.

Levy Marroquin vs. Andres Quintana

One of the top prospects fighting out of Monterrey, Nuevo Leone, Mexico, the 5-foot-8, 21-year-old Marroquin made a successful debut with Combate Americas by outlasting Pablo Sabori at “Combate 12” earlier this year in Tijuana.

“El Negro” boasts four finishes in five wins, split between knockouts (2) and submissions (2).

Quintana, 25, cut his teeth on season 22 of The Ultimate Fighter reality show before returning to the local circuit, where the 6-foot-1 ‘Bullet’ shot up the regional rankings to earn his spot on Combate Americas roster.

The Albuquerque, N.M.-based fighter did not disappoint, turning Combate Americas’ featherweight division on its head with a thrilling, three-round upset win over Team Alpha Male product Erick Sanchez at “Combate 11” last February.

Melissa Martinez vs. Yajaira Romo

Martinez makes her return to Mexico City, as well as her Combate Americas debut, after stopping Iliana Lopez in her first professional fight roughly one year back.

Standing 5-foot-5, Monterrey’s Yajaira Romo looks to return to the win column after her three-fight win streak was halted in early 2016. “Shokolate” is a member of the famed Combate Libre Academia, and possesses knockout power in both hands.
Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS APPOINTS FINANCE AND SPORTS INDUSTRY LEADER JOE PLUMERI BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN

Leave a comment

First Data Vice Chairman, former Willis Group Holdings Chairman and CEO, and N.Y. Yankees minor league affiliate team owner sets his sights on the surging Hispanic millennial demographic and world’s fastest growing sport

NEW YORK, January 11 — Combate Americas, the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports and media franchise, today announced the appointment of its lead investor, longtime financial services and sports industry entrepreneur and philanthropist Joe Plumeri, as its non-executive, board of directors chairman.

Plumeri, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors for payment processing technology giant First Data, former chairman and CEO of Willis Group Holdings, former CEO of Citibank, North America and former President and Managing Partner of Shearson Lehman Brothers, as well as the owner of the New York Yankees minor league affiliate team, The Trenton Thunder, will sit on the board alongside Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-founder and Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren, and three of Plumeri’s fellow strategic investors.

Plumeri’s appointment comes on the heels of Combate Americas closing its series B round of financing.

“We are honored and excited to name such an esteemed and accomplished member of the business community like Joe Plumeri as the chairman of our board of directors and to have him play such a pivotal role in this movement we have created to serve the Hispanic millennial audience,” said McLaren, who launched Combate Americas in 2013 as a first-to-market venture that essentially combined his UFC pioneer experience with his storied background in television production.

“I am looking forward to this next chapter in my career that will allow me to focus on one of the last centers of growth in the U.S. economy – the emerging and exploding Hispanic demographic – through an incredible, first-to-market sports entertainment and media property that Campbell and his team have built with Combate Americas,” said Plumeri.

Prior to his role with First Data, Plumeri guided Willis Group Holdings for nearly 13 years to enormous value creation.   He also served as President of Smith Barney, Vice Chairman of Travelers and Chairman and CEO of Primerica during his tenure with Citigroup.

As a philanthropist, Plumeri was named Humanitarian of the Year in 2006 after contributing the largest gift in history to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to fund the construction of the New Jersey headquarters of the non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children with life-threatening diseases.

Plumeri is also responsible for funding the creation of business scholarships, athletic scholarships and annual faculty excellence awards at his alma mater, The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., where the baseball stadium, Plumeri Park, is named after his father. He also donated money to New York Law School to help create the Joe Plumeri Center for Social Justice and Economic Opportunity.

Combate Americas also recently announced a new company president in Alberto “El Presidente” Rodriguez, formerly Alberto Del Rio of the WWE, and a new television partnership that has its fight programming airing in over 135 million homes weekly on Azteca America in the U.S. and Mexico’s TV Azteca S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: AZTECA; Latibex: XTZA), one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world.

For the first time in history, Combate Americas will head outside of the U.S. – to Mexico City, Mexico – with its live event series on Thursday, Jan. 19 when it will present a 10-bout fight card live on Azteca America and UFC FIGHT PASS®.  The event will air the following evening, Friday, Jan. 20 on TV Azteca.
Amateur MMA, Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES MAIN EVENT FOR MMA LEAGUE’S HISTORIC MEXICO DEBUT: STEVE SWANSON VS. GUSTAVO LOPEZ

Leave a comment

LIVE FROM EL PLAZA CONDESA IN MEXICO CITY ON
AZTECA AMERICA AND UFC FIGHT PASS®
ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 19

Atomweight Co-Main Event:
Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc vs. Lisbeth Lopez Silva

Plus:
Lightweight:  Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas vs. Marco Antonio “La Rocka” Elipidio
Bantamweight: Jose Ceja vs. Joey Ruquet

NEW YORK – January 3, 2017 – Combate Americas today announced four spectacular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) bouts, including a bantamweight (135) main event between rising stars Steve Swanson (14-2) and Gustavo Lopez (6-2) – for the league’s much-anticipated, historic debut in Mexico on Thursday, Jan. 19, live on Azteca America (10 p.m. ET/PT) and UFC FIGHT PASS® (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT).

The event, which will take place at El Plaza Condesa in Mexico City, will also air via tape delay in Mexico the following night, Friday, Jan. 20 at 11 p.m. CT., on TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: AZTECA; Latibex: XTZA), one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world.

In the atomweight (105 pounds) co-main event, former world championship challenger Nicdali “The Night Queen” Rivera-Calanoc (9-9) will make her long-awaited return to La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, and face red-hot Lisbeth Lopez Silva (3-3).

“We are excited to be assembling a phenomenal fight card, and to have the opportunity to be at the forefront of MMA’s growth in Mexico with our unique and fast-growing sports franchise,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.

In other main card action, two hard-hitting, Mexico City rivals, Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas (9-5) and Marco Antonio “La Rocka” Elpidio (4-1-1) will collide at lightweight (155 pounds).

Fellow upstarts Jose “The Ghost” Ceja (4-3) and Joey “El Cazador” Ruquet (3-1) will square off at bantamweight.

Additional bouts for the Combate Americas event will be announced soon.

The 5-foot-5, 36-year-old younger brother of UFC star Cub Swanson, Steve of Indio, Calif. is a 36-year-old prolific knockout artist whose family originally hails from Chihuahua, Mexico.

Swanson is a winner of his last four fights, all by way of (T)KO.  He is coming off an explosive, 38-second stoppage of Christian Rios on October 22.

Fighting out MMA legend Randy “The Natural” Couture’s Xtreme Couture camp in Las Vegas, Nev. Lopez is a 5-foot-5, 27-year-old finisher originally from Yakima, Wash.

Lopez emerged unbeaten, with a record of 3-0, during the Combate Americas “Road To The Championship” fight series that spanned from September 2015 to May 2016.  He has notched five of his six professional career victories via (T)KO or submission.

Rivera-Calanoc is a 5-foot-3, 31-year-old resident of Las Vegas, Nev. and native of Tulsa, Okla., as well as a battle-tested veteran of the sport who has faced a handful of top rivals in the women’s field, including Jessica Penne.

Rivera-Calanoc, whose ancestral roots are in Chihuahua, took a split decision in her last start on March 12, from Ronni Nanney.

Lopez Silva of Mexico City is aiming for her fourth straight win on the heels of a unanimous decision over Marcel Yineris Nieto on December 2 in Panama City, Panama.

A former welterweight (170 pounds), Vargas of Mexico City is a 5-foot-8, 31-year-old powerhouse who will put a three-fight win streak on the line.

To date, the Mexican Pride team member has claimed all of his wins by way of (T)KO or submission.

Elpidio, whose nickname translates to “The Rock,” is also a former welterweight standout who will look to secure his third consecutive win.

In his last effort on March 19, Elpidio, a member of the Renzo Gracie affiliate team in Mexico City, scored a second round (3:16) TKO on Francisco Vargas with an onslaught of punches.

The 5-foot-7, 31-year-old Ceja of Port Arthur, Texas will make his second start under the promotion of Combate Americas.

In his debut for the league on October 14, Ceja avenged a previous loss in dynamic fashion, scoring a first round (4:22) knockout on Irwin “The Beast” Rivera in the first live televised, professional MMA event since UFC 7 in September 1995.

Ruquet of Las Vegas, Nev. via Venice, Fla. is a 5-foot-8, 24-year-old upstart and seasoned striker who will make his second appearance in La Jaula after submitting Luke Faultersack with an anaconda choke in the second round (4:28) of action on April 25.

UFC FIGHT PASS is a digital subscription service which gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s largest fight library.

Download the UFC App now.