MMA Rundown - February 21st-24th: LFA, Combate Americas, DEEP JEWELS set up lots of prospect action
This weekend’s rife with prospect action, and we’ve got what to look out for right here.
With Bellator doing back to back events, the UFC working a strong Fight Night event in New Zealand and RIZIN pushing a so-so card over the weekend, there’s a fair amount to pick at this week. That said, there’s some very compelling prospect action that should make some waves by Monday morning, and we’re here to dive into it.
Friday night leads off with Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat, one of the most respected prospect battlegrounds for years now. Two belts are on the line with do-or-die Tim Dooling (9-6) facing Dennis Buzukia (3-1) for the featherweight title and John Ramirez (4-4) vs Troy Green (3-0) for the welterweight belt.
Surging middleweight prospect Joe Pyfer (6-1) has been doing damage lately with his boing game and physicality, and will be ready for action as he meets North Carolina’s Chase Gamble (7-6).
Ring of Combat 71 starts at 7:00pm EST and will be available for purchase over at FITE.tv for $16.99.
Combate Americas is also back, this time returning to Mexico for a lightweight title scrap between current champ (and Baja California native) Rafa Garcia (11-0) and former UFC fighter Humberto Bandenay (18-7). Garcia’s put his game together to be very well rounded and hounds opponents with pressure and pace, leading to wins over Estevan Payan, Chase Gibson, LaRue Burley and Erick Gonzalez. Bandenay’s release from the UFC has given him a new life, leading to changing his training environment and sharpen his tools. After a win in Peru’s FFC, he joined last year’s Copa Combate tournament to win three fights in one night and earn this shot at the belt.
Also on the card are Mexican prospect Jasmine Jauregui (4-0) and Combate mainstay Edgar Chairez (5-2).
Combate 55: Mexicali starts at 8:30pm EST with prelims on Facebook, and the main card at 10:00pm EST on AXS TV.
LFA continues to bring some of the best prospects in the country as well, gearing up for more action this week with their light heavyweight title on the line as Jamal Pogues (7-2) meets Alex “Easy“ Polizzi (5-0) for the vacant championship.
Pogues has finished most of his fights with strikes, and works mostly with UFC vet Joe Stevenson. Polizzi has a 100% finish rate in both his amateur and professional runs so far. Basically, this fight is violence, and we’re in for a treat.
Up and coming featherweight Nate Togbah (7-1) will be meeting Jake Childers (7-0), while strawweight prospect Pauline Macias (3-0) faces Peruvian talent Dana Grau (3-3).
LFA 82 starts at 9:00pm EST and streams live exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.
Finally, DEEP JEWELS is back with all-female action, headlined by Reina Miura (11-3) against Thai talent Andre The Rocket, who makes her pro debut.
Amp the Rocket (government name Suwanan Boonson) returns after her loss to Miyuu Yamamoto to meet Japan’s Emi Sato (4-4). 52-year old Yasuko Tamada (17-10, 3 draws) is still pushing along and faces Mizuki Furuse (6-6).
DEEP JEWELS 28 starts Monday morning at 4:00am EST for the true superfans stateside.
Also of note, World Total Kombat Federation has an oddball Big Chungus bout between Sergei Kharitonov (30-8) and KSW vet Fernando Rodrigues Jr. (12-6) for some reason.