Connect with us

News

The Latinas of Combate Global set for world domination

Published

on

Expectations in women’s MMA are higher than ever and the Latinas of Combate Global are taking those expectations and smashing them. The sheer hunger these athletes show and the ferocity in which they execute their game-plans is unrivalled in any promotion, which is why today, well be looking at some of Combate’s killer Latinas and their feats inside the cage!

Combate Global CEO & UFC co-creator Campbell McLaren is always glowing with praise for his Latinas: ”Combate’s most exciting division is the women’s 115 pound division — they are all killers”. A statement that proves true with fans after the success of Combate’s historic all female event ”Combate: Latinas” which pulled the most viewers for an all female MMA event in history.

Ranging from World Muay Thai Champions, boxers and even professional wrestlers these are the Latinas of Combate Global.

Claudia Diaz

Claudia Diaz is a former WMC World Champion back in 2019 and trains at the world renowned Tiger Muay Thai facility in Phuket, Thailand. The Argentinian-Spanish fighter competed in ONE Championship’s Warrior Series before taking a two year break and joining the Combate Global family. Diaz made her promotional debut at the end of April and to say she impressed would be an understatement!

Claudia Diaz made her Combate Global debut vs Dulce Garcia

Facing Dulce ‘Sexy Star’ Garcia, Diaz was able use Muay Thai expertise to control the distance and land the heavier shots. Garcia’s constant pressure caused problems throughout for the Muay Thai World Champion, but a failed takedown gave Diaz the advantage to rain down strikes from top position causing the referee to wave off the contest. One explosive performance in and Combate fans are craving for more action, luckily they won’t be disappointed as Claudia Diaz returns to the Combate Global cage June 25th, with an opponent set to be announced soon.

Claudia Diaz landing a roundhouse kick vs Dulce Garcia.

Yasmine Jauregui

Unbeaten in her professional career so far, 22 year old Yasmine Jauregui is one of the hottest talents at 115lbs in women’s MMA. Excelling on the feet and on the ground, Jauregui caused waves through the MMA community when she made light work of opponent Benni Fuentes in her professional MMA debut. Jauregui quickly caught the attention of Combate Global and signed with the promotion to fight Daniela Espinosa at Combate 36. As promotional debuts go, Yasmine Jauregui could not have wished for a better one. Defeating her opponent in just 13 seconds of the first round by knockout!

She impressed again only two months later as she faced off against McKenna Mitchell and put on a striking clinic causing the ringside doctor to stop the fight in between rounds two and three. Only three months later, Yasmine Jauregui was back in action at Combate 44 against her toughest opponent to date Yaijara Romo. After a back and forth war Jauregui would eventually end up having her hand raised in victory! Her most previous bout was in Mexican promotion UWC where she dismantled her opponent in the very first round causing the fight to be stopped by the doctor at the end of round one. Luckily fans will get to see Yasmine Jauregui June 18th, so mark the date down in your calendars for guaranteed fireworks!

Lucero “La Loba” Acosta

Training under Team United MMA, Lucero Acosta wowed audiences at Combate 36 when she got a surprising TKO finish in her Amateur debut. ”La Loba” would go on to make her pro-MMA debut only six months later defeating Valerie Quintero via unanimous decision at Combate 46.

Lucero ”La Loba” Acosta

Acosta would get caught out with a rear-naked choke in her second bout with the promotion only to return in 2021 and put the world on notice with a brutal victory over Allysen Breeden! Despite starting off strong, keeping Acosta on the back foot and throwing heavy strikes in volume, ”La Loba” lands a nice jab-cross combination before unloading on her opponent with fierce tenacity!

The roar of victory echoed throughout the Univision studios and come July 2nd, ”La Loba” will roar again as she steps back in the Combate Global cage. Who would you like to see Lucero Acosta face in her return?

Criszaida Adames

Ranked at #19 in the United States women’s pound-for-pound rankings, New Jersey’s Criszaida Adames should be on every MMA fans watch list. Going 4-0 as an amateur Adames was hailed as one to watch as she started her professional MMA career and watch they did as she cruised to a second round KO. Only a month later from her successful debut, she was in the Combate cage showcasing her talents in a fantastic unanimous decision victory over Alma Cespedes.

Adamaes unloads on Marisol Ruelas

Unfortunately her next fight on Combate against Desiree Yanez was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Adames however was given the opportunity to fight on UFC Fight Pass with the promotion CFFC and yet again, put on a show submitting Claudia Baril by rear-naked choke! With hype rapidly building around Adamaes, Combate gave her the well deserved headlining spot on their history making all-female card back in April and as expected, she did not disappoint.

Criszaida Adames prepares to headline Combate’s history making all-female card

Facing one of her toughest challenges yet in the form of Karen Cedillo, Criszaida battled to a decision victory in what was a fight of the night performance from both athletes. We’re yet to hear of a return date for Criszaida Adames with her competing so recently, leaving fans to ponder which one of the Latinas she will return to face.

Caroline Gallardo

Chile’s own Caroline ”Taz” Gallardo has more heart than most making her a formidable foe for anyone of the Latinas on the Combate Global roster! Despite losing her first two fights in her pro-MMA career, Gallardo bounced back emphatically, going on a three fight finishing streak which cemented her place within the promotion. However her first test in the Combate cage would not be an easy venture as she would face the undefeated Melissa Martinez.

Caroline ‘Taz’ Gallardo

Both fighters looked good in the opening round, making it a hard call for the judges to pick a clear winner. Early in the second however, a failed takedown attempt allowed Martinez to capitalise and win the fight via a nasty knee to the head with follow up punches. ”Taz” would not be disheartened by this, in fact she would grow because of it putting on a phenomenal display only seven months later against Corina Herrera, defeating her by Unanimous decision.

Dulce Garcia

From professional wrestling to boxing and finally mixed martial arts, Dulce ‘Sexy Star’ Garcia has done it all! After a phenomenal pro-wrestling career, Garcia decided to leave her luchadora mask behind and throw herself into the world of combat sports. Firstly she tackled boxing and in just over a year went on an impressive unbeaten run of 5-0 before declaring her desire to compete in MMA.

Dulce ”Sexy Star” Garcia

After negotiating a deal with Combate Global back in February 2019, Garcia was quick to make her pro-MMA debut only two months later in May against Mariana Ruiz Avila, which ‘Sexy Star’ went on to win via unanimous decision. Returning to the cage on the highly anticipated Combate 51: Tito vs Alberto card, she impressed once again dominating and submitting Anali Lopez in the first round of their contest. Unfortunately, she tasted defeat when she faced Claudia Diaz with a failed takedown sealing her own fate, but her performances within the Combate Global cage speak for themselves and fans can expect to see ‘Sexy Star’ in another battle very soon!

Dulce Garcia brawls with Mariana Ruiz Avila

You simply cannot deny the level of talent Combate possess in the 115lb division and after speaking with Combate’s Senior Vice President of Communications and Operations Mike Afromowitz, fans can feel more reassured than ever that the promotion won’t be slowing down in terms of building their 115lb division: “We are building the most exciting 115 pound division in the world and, by the end of the year, I predict we will have it.”

A strong prediction and one that is certainly not out of reach as Combate Global regularly rank the second highest viewed MMA promotion in North America, ahead of Bellator, ONE and PFL. With a difficult 2020 behind us, audiences are excited for what 2021 may bring. Another Latinas event? One night tournament? Nothing would be come as a surprise!

News

CW 167 & 168 Review | Luke Riley Steals The Weekend

Published

on

A double header in Manchester with back-to-back shows, CW 167 and 168, kicked off Cage Warriors’ stacked European schedule for the next few months.

A night of unplugged action set the tone for a return to the BEC Arena the following night for your more regularly scheduled CW programming. To sound like a broken record, the quality of this promotion once again shone through. 

CW 167: Unplugged

CW 167 offered up the first Unplugged show of the year with a cornered off section of the BEC Arena being open to invite only guests.

Both live and on the broadcast, this felt more like a halfway house between the previous Unplugged shows and your full on event the following night. There was more of a focus on fighters either kicking off their Cage Warriors careers or at least athletes that were early on in this journey, outside of some of the big names that did feature. 

The crowd itself didn’t really have that exclusive fight club feel that these Unplugged or controversial UFC Apex cards can have. The fighters with big travelling followings still seemed to bring a decent amount of supporters with them so it felt more along the lines of a smaller, kick-off show if you will.

On the positive side of Cage Warriors 167, there was still some good fights, great performances and wins to highlight. It was a highly successful night for the MMA Fight Academy stable. Leon Armes kicked things off with arguably the best fight of the night, improving to 2-0 after weathering a tough final round. Segio Gavinelli looked like a monster with his first round finish over Helio Hernandez. Anthony Orozco picked up his first overseas victory with a dominant display of his wrestling and last but not least, Teddy Stringer continued to be a fighter that everyone in the UK MMA scene should be tuning in for.

The top three fights all delivered some great action as well with Shirzad Qadrian making a real statement against Emanuele Zaccaria. Omiel Brown showed that why he is still a kill or be killed style fighter, if you get him in your sights, you best not miss. Brown and Rafael Aronov both came close to finding a finish on the feet but it was the Team Renegade fighter that dug deep, switched up his game plan, secured takedowns and found the choke in the second.

The main event spot welcomed back a former Cage Warriors champion who only looked better than the last time he was here. Stefano Paterno showed levels with his D’arce choke submission against Scottie Stockman. Looking forward, Brown vs Paterno could be a crucial match-up down the line as we move towards the vacant welterweight title fight in Dublin.

Arguably the man that stole the show with his performance was another former world champion in the promotion. Back up at bantamweight after an unsuccessful bid for flyweight supremacy, Michele Martignoni looked back to his best against Raz Bring. He sent a message to the two lads competing for the bantamweight title the following night that the former 135-pound kingpin isn’t going anywhere just yet. That is, unless the UFC is ready to feel “The Italian Thunder”.

CW 168

Cage Warriors 168 was a huge reminder of how much a capacity crowd can make a difference. In particular, the Next Generation MMA fighters on the card received incredible support at this event, even from the second fight of the night where Fran Breen showcased his striking.

This card may not have had the highlight moments that you usually get with a Cage Warriors show with lots of decisions, late finishes and every fight making it out of the opening round. There were some very close fights and plenty that felt like they were going to end any minute, only to continue for another couple of rounds.

Andy Yates vs Christian Tebbett went this way, as did Antonio Sheldon vs Tom Mearns. Arguably the best performance of the prelim action was from Tom Nicholls who secured his first CW win via heel hook. Timing was a bit of an issue on this card and that led to it feeling like a long event and also meant that Liam Gittins’ bantamweight title defence was moved from the final prelim fight to opening the main card.

Change of time slot or not, it clearly didn’t matter to the reigning bantamweight champion.

Hernandez started the fight brilliantly in the first round, looking too fast and sharp for Gittins on the feet but as we have come to expect from “Nightmare”, this one was only just getting started. The pace and pressure of Gittins seemed to really get to Hernandez in the second round and by the third, he looked spent. Every leg kick was drawing a huge reaction, he wasn’t firing back with much offence of his own and it felt like only a matter of time before this one ended. Gittins got the rear naked choke in the fifth round which could put him on the radar of the big show. 

Alessandro Giordano and Sam Kelly in the following bout painted the town red with the kind of bloodbath that Ross Houston and Nicolas Dalby would be proud of. Anyone tuning in after this fight will have taken one look at the canvas and assumed there had been some wars inside the cage that night and whilst there were some back and forth fights, you have Kelly to thank for this piece of abstract art. Giordano found the finish, once again, in the third.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Next Generation MMA on the night as Adam Cullen suffered the second defeat of his career. He and Harel Cohen competed largely in a grappling match for this one and the Israeli fighter made a good impression, winning a close split decision to pull off the upset in enemy territory.

James Power bounced back in the following fight with a performance that summarised the majority of this event. He got the win, rather dominantly too, but was unhappy that he wasn’t able to put his man away.

Co-main event billing fell to Luke Riley who we have affectionately dubbed as the best bout machine in the promotion.

Even without putting on a fight of the year contender, Riley still managed to steal the show with a stunning performance against veteran John De Jesus. For the wars he has been in, Riley has told us in the past that he knows he can beat these guys by playing it safe and not even get touched. He didn’t necessarily play it safe but he did match the experience of his opponent with a mature performance. However, it can’t be a Riley fight at the BEC without a moment of watching through your hands and after taking a knee to the body in the final minute, the undefeated fighter was in survival mode but survive he did. Riley is the starboy of Cage Warriors right now. He is undefeated but boy has he gone through some tests along the way. He is the kind of fighter you can show to a non MMA fan to explain to them why you love the sport and to use another wrestling term, restore the feeling. 

Andy Clamp closed the show by becoming the new Cage Warriors light heavyweight champion by doing what he does best. Both Clamp and Matty Byfield went through the ringer in this fight but the pressure of Clamp eventually broke down the dam and he put his strikes together to get a third round stoppage. 

CW 167 and 168 were very different events due to the size of the audience and the fighters that competed on the two nights.

CW 167 felt more like an event for the hardcore fans, watching some fighters build momentum before getting back to fighting in front of a full crowd.

CW 168 had some very fun fights, an electric crowd and a long run time that just like Andy Clamp, was beginning to wear people down. The simple solution to this? Have Luke Riley on your roster. An instant shot of adrenaline into the arms, by the time the first round had started and all interviews were done, the media room was left empty. No one wants to miss their opportunity to watch this man fight and the night truly did belong to him.

Continue Reading

News

UFC Vegas 88 – Results | Tuivasa vs Tybura

Published

on

Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 88 saw heavyweight contenders Tai Tuivasa and Marcin Tybura square off in a clash of finishers.

For the full results, look no further!

Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.

***

Main card (11pm GMT – TNT Sports)

(#10) Marcin Tybura defeats (#9) Tai Tuivasa via technical submission (rear-naked-choke – 4:08 – R1) – heavyweight bout

Bryan Battle vs Ange Loosa ends in a no contest (eye poke – 1:00 – R2) – welterweight bout

Ovince Saint Preux defeats Kennedy Nzechukwu via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) – light heavyweight bout

Christian Rodriguez defeats Isaac Dulgarian via split decision (27-28, 28-27, 28-27) – bantamweight bout

(#10) Macy Chiasson defeats (#6) Pannie Kianzad via submission (rear-naked-choke – 3:54 – R1) – bantamweight bout

Gerald Meerschaert defeats Bryan Barberena via technical submission (face crank – 4:23 – R2) – middleweight bout

Prelims (8pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)

Mike Davis defeats Natan Levy via submission (arm triangle – 1:43 – R2) – lightweight bout

(#14) Chelsea Chandler defeats (#13) Josiane Nunes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout

Jafel Filho defeats Ode Osbourne via submission (face crank – 4:27 – R1) – flyweight bout

Danny Silva defeats Joshua Culibao via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) – featherweight bout

Jaqueline Amorim defeats Cory McKenna via submission (armbar – 1:14 – R1) – strawweight bout

Thiago Moises defeats Mitch Ramirez via TKO (leg kicks – 0:15 – R3) – lightweight bout

Chad Anheliger defeats Charalampos Grigoriou via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout

***

For more UFC content, stay tuned to Violent Money TV.

Continue Reading

News

CW 167: Unplugged Weigh-In Results

Published

on

With just over 24 hours to go until CW 167: Unplugged returns to Manchester, the fighters hit the scales at the Park Inn hotel on Thursday morning.

All 24 athletes made weight successfully at the first time of asking, as such the card will proceed as planned with 12 bouts.

Returning former champion Stefano Paterno (170.2lbs) looked comfortable on the scales for his welterweight bout against the debuting Scottie Stockman (169.8lbs).

The pair will meet in a three round main event.

Another Italian former champion, Michele Martignoni, also hit his mark at 135.9lbs, albeit with the use of the towel. ‘The Italian Thunder’ returns to the bantamweight division in pursuit of the title he never lost.

He’ll face the debuting Raz Bring (134.6lbs).

The full weigh-in results for Cage Warriors 167: Unplugged are as follows…

CW 167: Unplugged | LIVE on UFC Fight Pass

Main Card – 14:00 (PT) | 17:00 (ET) | 21:00 (GMT) | 22:00 (CET)

Welterweight Title: Scottie Stockman (169.8lbs) vs Stefano Paterno (170.2lbs)
Welterweight: Rafael Aronov (169.1lbs) vs Omiel Brown (170.4lbs)
Bantamweight: Shirzad Qadrian (135.8lbs) vs Emanuele Zaccaria (136lbs)
Flyweight: Davide Scarano (125.7lbs) vs Connor Wilson (124.9lbs)
Bantamweight: Raz Bring (134.6lbs) vs Michele Martignoni (135.9lbs)

Prelims – 11:30 (PT) | 14:30 (ET) | 18:30 (GMT) | 19:30 (CET)

Lightweight: Diego Dickson (154.5lbs) vs Teddy Stringer (155.6lbs)
Lightweight: Amaury Junior (154.5lbs) vs Giuseppe Ruggeri (lbs)
Welterweight: Lucas Rodrigues (168.5lbs) vs Anthony Orozco (170.9lbs)
Featherweight: Marko Sarasjärvi (145.7lbs) vs Jack Claffey (141.9lbs)
Welterweight: Hélio Hernandez (170.1lbs) vs Serigo Gavinelli (170.7lbs)
Lightweight: Nicolò Solinas (155.4lbs) vs Matthew Camilleri (154.3lbs)
Featherweight: Christian Tosco (145.9lbs) vs Leon Armes (145.7lbs)

Continue Reading

Trending