Tag Archives: Rodrigo Vargas

Combate Americas, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES MAIN EVENT – ERIK “EL GOYITO” PEREZ VS. ANDRES “DOBLE A” AYALA – FOR STAR-STUDDED RETURN TO   MONTERREY, MEXICO ON SATURDAY, NOV. 17

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LIVE ON DAZN,
UNIVISION AND UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK

TICKETS ON SALE AT COMBATEAMERICAS.COM/TICKETS

NEW YORK – October 29, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced a bantamweight (135 pounds) main event matchup between superstar Erik “El Goyito” Perez (18-6) and prolific finisher Andres “Doble A” Ayala (12-6) for the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise’s return to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on Saturday, Nov. 17, live in English in the U.S. and Canada on DAZN (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), and 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 addition of the matchup between the two 28-year-old competitors completes the Combate Americas fight card, which will take place at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon Unido, with 10 bouts.

 

A native of Monterrey who fights out of San Diego, Calif., USA, Perez will seek his fifth straight victory after making his Combate Americas promotional debut in stunning fashion, avenging a previous defeat at the hands of old rival David “D.J.” Fuentes by scoring a third round (1:22) knockout (punches) on Fuentes in the main event of “Combate Estrellas II” at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon Unido on April 20.

 

Perez, who has notched 12 of his 18 career wins by way of (T)KO or submission, left the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on a three-fight win streak to sign with Combate Americas last November.

 

Both of Perez’s brothers – older brother Ivan and younger brother Jair – are also slated for action on the card.

 

Perez was slated to face off with knockout artist John “Sexi Mexi” Castaneda in a Combate Americas headlining contest on October 13, but the matchup was called off after Castaneda was forced to withdraw due to a staph infection that he sustained just a week before the commitment.

 

Ayala of Bogota, Colombia is one of his nation’s top ranked bantamweights.  He will make his debut in La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, on the heels of a TKO (ground and pound) victory on Guido Gongora in a main event bout in Barranquilla, Colombia on July 27.

 

To date, Ayala has earned an astounding 11 of 12 career wins by way of (T)KO or submission.

 

Priced from 300.00$ MXN, tickets for the Combate Americas event at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon Unido are on sale at www.CombateAmericas.com/Tickets.

 

Until Friday, Nov. 2, fans can purchase general admission level tickets at a 15 percent discount by entering the code ‘COMBATE’ at check-out when purchasing tickets online.

 

Doors at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon Unido open at 6 p.m. CT on November 17.  The first preliminary card bout will begin at 7 p.m.

 

UPDATED “COMBATE AMERICAS: GOYITO VS. AYALA” FIGHT CARD:

 

BANTAMWEIGHT MAIN EVENT:
Erik Perez vs. Andres Ayala

 

ATOMWEIGHT CO-MAIN EVENT:
Irene Cabello Rivera vs. Yajaira Romo

 

FEATURED FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT:
Levy Marroquin vs. Jose Estrada

 

Preliminary Bout Card:
Lightweight:  Rodrigo Vargas vs. Ricardo Arreola
Bantamweight:  Eduardo Alvarado vs. Alan Cantu
Lightweight:  Jose Luis Medrano vs. Won Sik Park
Lightweight: Ivan Perez vs. Daniel Rico
Featherweight: Jair Perez vs. Tino Gilaranz
Lightweight: Daniel Zellhuber vs. Salvador Izar
Flyweight: Ramiro Ruiz Castillo vs. Ivan Hernandez Flores

Combate Americas, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES SIX NEW BOUTS FOR STACKED MMA EVENT IN MONTERREY, MEXICO ON SATURDAY, NOV. 17

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LIVE ON DAZN,
UNIVISION AND UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK

TICKETS ON SALE AT COMBATEAMERICAS.COM/TICKETS

NEW YORK – October 25, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced six new Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) bouts for its return to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico, on Saturday, Nov. 17, live in English in the U.S. and Canada on DAZN (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), and 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).

 

Priced from 300.00$ MXN, tickets for the Combate Americas event at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon Unido are on sale at

www.CombateAmericas.com/Tickets.

 

Between today and Friday, Nov. 2, fans can purchase general admission level tickets at a 15 percent discount by entering the code ‘COMBATE’ at check-out when purchasing tickets online.

 

 

The new bouts announced today join the previously announced, featured November 17 matchups – a featherweight (145 pounds) showdown between 2017 “COPA COMBATE” tournament winner  Levy “El Negro” Marroquin (11-2) of Monterrey and explosive, rising star Jose “Froggy” Estrada (5-1) of Oxnard, Calif., USA; an atomweight (105 pounds) scrap between Irene “La Niña” Cabello Rivera (8-5) of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and Yajaira “Shoko Late” Romo (4-3) of Monterrey; and a lightweight (155 pounds) affair between knockout artist Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas (11-2) of Mexico City, Mexico and relentless battler Ricardo “El Loco” Arreola (6-5) of Monterrey.

 

 

Among the six new fights announced today for the November 17 event was a lightweight scrap between aggressive finisher Jose Luis “El Pistolero” Medrano (15-3) of Monterrey and hard hitting Combate Americas newcomer Won Sik Park (13-7-1) of Ulsan, South Korea.

 

 

After scoring a shocking, first round (4:14) TKO (punches) on veteran star Roman Salazar at the Combate Americas world championship event in Phoenix, Ariz., USA on September 14, Eduardo “El Pube” Alvarado (6-4) of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, will face off with fellow striker  Alan “Beche” Cantu (7-5) of Monterrey in a bantamweight (135 pounds) matchup.

 

 

In another lightweight battle announced today, Monterrey’s Ivan “El Muchacho Alegre” Perez (4-6) the 33-year-old, elder brother of Combate Americas superstar Erik “El Goyito” Perez, will go to war with Daniel “El Pacman” Rico(5-2) of Mexico City.

 

 

Also in action will be the 20-year-old, younger brother of “El Goyito” – Jair “El Lupe” Perez (1-0) –  who will face fellow unbeaten prospect Tino “No Mercy” Gilaranz (1-0) of Madrid, Spain in a featherweight tilt.

 

 

Undefeated 19-year-old rising star Daniel “Golden Boy” Zellhuber (6-0) of Mexico City will make his second Combate Americas start opposite Salvador “Crossfit” Izar (3-1) of Monterrey at lightweight.

 

 

In a flyweight (125 pounds) contest, Ramiro Ruiz Castillo (4-2) of Monterrey will face Ivan “El Brasil” Hernandez Flores (9-2-1) of Monterrey.

 

 

Doors at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon Unido open at 6 p.m. on November 17.  The first preliminary card bout will begin at 7 p.m.

Combate Americas, DAZN, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES RETURN TO MONTERREY, MEXICO WITH STAR-STUDDED MMA EVENT ON SATURDAY, NOV. 17

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Combate Americas has announced it’s return to Monterrey, Mexico for Saturday, Nov. 17.  Among the three bouts confirmed for the card is a featherweight showdown between rising star Jose “Froggy” Estrada (below, left) and 2017 “COPA COMBATE” tournament winner Levy “El Negro” Marroquin(below, right).  The event will air live in English in the U.S. and Canada on DAZN and on television in Spanish in the U.S. on both Univision and Univision Deportes Network (UDN).
LIVE ON DAZN,
UNIVISION AND UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK

FEATURED BOUTS ANNOUNCED:
LEVY MARROQUIN VS. JOSE “FROGGY” ESTRADA
IRENE CABELLO RIVERA VS. YAJAIRA “SHOKO LATE” ROMO
RODRIGO VARGAS VS. RICARDO “EL LOCO” ARREOLA

TICKET PRE-SALE STARTS SOON

NEW YORK – October 18, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced its return to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico as well as the first three bouts for what is shaping up to be another sensational Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event at Gimnasio Nuevo Leon Unido on Saturday, Nov. 17, live in English in the U.S. and Canada on DAZN (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), and 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).

 

A ticket pre-sale for the event will begin on SuperBoletos.com soon.

 

 

Announced today was a featherweight (145 pounds) showdown between 2017 “COPA COMBATE” tournament winner, Levy “El Negro” Marroquin (11-2) and rising star Jose “Froggy” Estrada (5-1); an atomweight (105 pounds) matchup between Irene “La Nina” Cabello Rivera (8-5) and Yajaira “Shoko Late” Romo (4-3); and a lightweight (155 pounds) knockout artist Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas (11-2) and relentless battler Ricardo “El Loco” Arreola (6-5).

 

 

Levy “El Negro” Marroquin vs. Jose “Froggy” Estrada

 

The winner of last year’s inaugural, $100,000 grand prize “COPA COMBATE” eight-man tournament, the 23-year-old Marroquin of Monterrey will see action for the first time this year after withdrawing from two previous bouts due to illness in April and September, respectively.

 

 

Marroquin became an overnight sensation, defeating three consecutive opponents, including world-ranked John “Sexi Mexi” Castaneda in the championship stage of action, to become the first “COPA COMBATE” tournament champion in history last November in Cancun, Mexico.

 

 

Estrada, a prolific, 27-year-old warrior from Oxnard, Calif., USA, will return to La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, for the second time this year, after scoring a monstrous, second round (1:43) TKO (knee strikes and punches) on “Ruthless” Rudy Morales at “Combate Estrellas I” in Los Angeles, Calif., USA on April 13.

 

 

Estrada has notched all five of his professional wins to date by way of (T)KO or submission, four of which he earned in the first round of battle.

 

 

Irene “La Nina” Cabello Rivera vs. Yajaira “Shoko Late” Romo

 

The 25-year-old Rivera of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain will return to La Jaula and Monterrey for the second time after scoring a phenomenal, second round (2:18) TKO (punches) on Lezly Hinojosa Compean at “Combate Estrellas II” on April 20.

 

 

To date, Rivera has produced all of her professional victories by way of (T)KO or submission,  including five first round stoppages.

 

 

Like Rivera, the 21 year-old Romo, who hails from Monterrey, reeled off a stunning, second

round (2:46) victory at “Combate Estrellas II,” taking out Spain’s Vanesa Rico with a barrage of leg kicks, to bring about another showdown between fighters representing Spain and Mexico, respectively, in the women’s atomweight division.

 

 

Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas vs. Ricardo “El Loco” Arreola

 

The 33-year-old Vargas of Mexico City, Mexico will make his fifth career start for Combate Americas and will look for his third consecutive victory.

 

 

Vargas is coming off a stunning, 18-second head kick knockout of Mike “El Cucuy” de la Torre at “Combate Americas: Mexico vs. El Mundo” in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico on May 18.

 

 

Fighting out of Monterrey, the 28-year-old Arreola made an incredible stand in his last start, and emerged victorious over Ivan Perez, the older brother of Combate Americas superstar Erik “El Goyito” Perez, by way of split decision in what was widely regarded as the fight of the night at “Combate Estrellas II.”

 

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES LIVE UNIVISION DEPORTES NETWORK TELECAST OF ‘MEXICO VS EL MUNDO’ MMA SHOWDOWN FROM TIJUANA, MEXICO ON FRIDAY, MAY 18

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LIVE, 90-MINUTE TELECAST BEGINS AT 11 P.M. ET/8 P.M. PT

UNDERCARD TO STREAM LIVE ON UNIVISIONDEPORTES.COM
BEGINNING AT 10 P.M. ET/7 P.M. PT

NEW YORK – May 15, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced a live Univision Deportes Network (UDN) telecast (11 p.m ET/8 p.m. PT) of, as well as one new matchup for  its ‘Mexico vs. El Mundo’ Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event from Auditorio Municipal Tijuana in Tijuana, B.C., Mexico on Friday, May 18.

 

The nine-bout fight card will be highlighted by matchups between an assembly of top rising stars from Mexico and opponents from four other countries – the U.S., Spain, Brazil and Chile – including a previously announced, much-anticipated featherweight (145 pounds) showdown between knockout artists Marco Antonio “La Roca” Elpidio (7-2-1) of Mexico City, Mexico and Andres “The Bullet” Quintana (13-2) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.

 

 

The 90-minute telecast will immediately follow the live stream of the complete preliminary bout card on

www.UnivisionDeportes.com, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

 

“The whole world loves Mexican food, but fears Mexican fighters, and with ‘Mexico vs. El Mundo’ we have an extraordinary event that features the best of both worlds,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.

 

 

The live telecast will include another previously announced, bantamweight (135 pounds) matchup between 22-year-old phenom Christian “El Taylon” Quiñonez (10-2) of Tijuana, and undefeated rising star Vinicius “Lok Dog” De Oliveira (9-0) of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil.

 

 

In other live televised action announced today, a women’s strawweight (115 pounds) matchup will see Georgina Almeraz (3-1) of Chihuahua, Mexico and Mireia Garcia (0-0) of Barcelona, Spain make their respective Combate Americas debuts against one another.

 

 

Garcia, an unbeaten professional kickboxer and a protégé of “COPA COMBATE” tournament semifinalist Marc “Lufo” Gomez, will also make first start under MMA rules.

 

 

The preliminary bout card will be highlighted by a lightweight (155 pounds) contest between hard-hitting Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas (9-2) of Mexico City will collide with seasoned battler Mike “El Cucuy” De La Torre (14-8 (1)) of San Diego, Calif., U.S.

 

 

Another lightweight bout pitting Mexico against the U.S. will feature Alex “Bam” Velasco (7-1) of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, squaring off against fellow, aggressive striker Daniel “D-Rod” Rodriguez (5-1) of Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.

 

 

Recently signed, undefeated rising star Eduardo “Cyborg” Torres (9-0) of Santiago, Chile, will make his Combate Americas debut against Kevin “Badass” Amador (9-8) of Ensenada in a bantamweight affair.

 

 

Twelve-time national judo champion Vanesa “Chiquitina” Rico (3-3) from Alicante, Spain, will make her return to La Jaula against fellow Combate Americas veteran Yajaira “Shoko” Romo (3-3) of Monterrey, Mexico.

 

 

Jair “El Lupe” Perez (0-0) of Monterrey will make his professional debut against Jesus Blanco (0-1) of Tijuana at lightweight.

 

Undefeated flyweight (125 pounds) rising star Edgar “Pitbull” Chairez (3-0) of Mexicali go to war with fellow Mexican Betche Cantu (7-3) of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.

 

 

Doors at Auditorio Municipal Tijuana will open at 6 p.m. local time, and the first preliminary bout will start at 6:30 p.m.

 

 

Priced from 330.00$ MXN, tickets for “Combate Americas: Mexico vs. The World” are on sale at both

Ticketon.com and TaquillaExpress.com.

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS ANNOUNCES ‘MEXICO VS EL MUNDO’ MMA EXTRAVAGANZA  IN TIJUANA, MEXICO ON FRIDAY, MAY 18

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MEXICO’S TOP RISING STARS FACE OFF WITH RIVALS 
FROM THE U.S., SPAIN, BRAZIL AND CHILE 
 

TICKETS ON SALE AT TAQUILLAEXPRESS.COM 
 

FEATHERWEIGHT MAIN EVENT:
MARCO ELPIDIO (MEXICO) VS. ANDRES QUINTANA (U.S.)
 

NEW YORK – May 2, 2018 – Combate Americas today announced its return to Tijuana, Mexico with a live Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event featuring matchups between a collection of the most ferocious, rising stars from Mexico and a lineup of electrifying combatants from the U.S., Spain, Brazil, and Chile, at Auditorio Municipal Tijuana.
 

Priced from 330.00$ MXN, tickets for “Combate Americas: Mexico vs. El Mundo” are on sale at taquillaexpress.com.
 

In the featherweight (145 pounds) main event, knockout artist Andres “The Bullet” Quintana (13-2) of Albuquerque, N.M., U.S. will collide with relentless striker Marco Antonio “La Roca” Elpidio (7-2-1) of Mexico City, Mexico.
 

A lightweight (155 pounds) co-main event will pit hard-hitting Rodrigo “Kazula” Vargas (9-2) of Mexico City against battle-tested veteran and proven finisherMike “El Cucuy” De La Torre (14-8, 1 NC) of San Diego, Calif., U.S.
 

In other action announced today for the “Combate Americas: Mexico vs. El Mundo” event, power punching Christian “El Taylon” Quiñonez (10-2) of Tijuana will face off with undefeated trailblazer, and fellow Combate Americas newcomer Vinicius “Lok Dog” De Oliveira Prestes De Matos (9-0) of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil in a bantamweight (135 pounds) contest.
 

Another bantamweight matchup will see newly signed, undefeated rising star Eduardo “Cyborg” Torres (9-0) of Santiago, Chile, battle submission ace Kevin “Badass” Amador (9-8) of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
 

Twelve-time national judo champion Vanesa “Chiquitina” Rico (3-3) of Alicante, Spain, will make her return to La Jaula, the Combate Americas cage, against Yajaira “Shoko” Romo (3-3) of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico in an atomweight (105 pounds) fight.

 

Alex “Bam” Velasco (7-1) of Ensenada will square off with fellow striking sensation Daniel “D-Rod” Rodriguez (5-1) of Los Angeles at lightweight.

 

Jair “El Lupe” Perez (0-0), the younger, 20-year-old brother of world-ranked Combate Americas superstar Erik “Goyito” Perez, will make his professional debut against Jesus Blanco (0-1 of Tijuana at lightweight.

 

In a flyweight (125 pounds) scrap, unbeaten, fast-rising star Edgar “Pitbull” Chairez (3-0) of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico, will meet Beche Cantu (7-3) of Monterrey.

 

Additional bouts for “Combate Americas” Mexico vs. El Mundo” will be announced soon.

 

Doors at Auditorio Municipal Tijuana will open at 6 p.m. local time, and the first preliminary bout will start at 7 p.m.

 

The event takes place one week after the “Combate Americas: Mexico vs. USA” event, which will be highlighted by a collection of fighters representing Mexico against opponents from the U.S.

Combate Americas, mixed martial arts, MMA

COMBATE AMERICAS RETURNS TO MEXICO CITY ON FRIDAY, JUNE 30

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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.
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

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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.

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