Combate Global is set to host its largest annual event, the Copa Combate, tonight live from Univision Studios in Miami, Florida. The Copa Combate is a one-night eight-man bantamweight tournament with each fighter representing their own home country. As with all other Combate Global one-night tournaments, all rounds prior to the finals will be contested in one five-minute round, while the final will be a full-length three-round five-minute fight.
The first of the four matchups is between Ireland’s Frans Mlambo and Peru’s Jose Zarauz. Born in South Africa, “The Black Mamba” Mlambo now resides in Ireland and trains at the famed SBG Ireland. The Bellator and Brave CF veteran holds a record of 10-5, having won five of his last six. “The Mercenary” Zarauz trains at Nick Catone MMA and Fitness in New York, and will be the most experienced fighter on the card with a record of 22-8-1. He has lost two of his last three, including his Combate Global debut back in May.
The winner of that fight will face the winner of the bout between Mexico’s Carlos Briseno and Chile’s Cristian Barraza. The 13-2 Briseno picked up a unanimous decision victory in his last fight back in October at Combate Global 21, which was also his Combate Global debut. “Scorpio” Barraza, meanwhile, picked up his first win with the organization in three tries at Combate Global 24.
On the other side of the bracket, America’s Leo Muniz will take on France’s Pierre Daguzan in the opening round. “The Mexicutioner” Muniz is a CFFC vet who has won his last two fights, both against by unanimous decision to Hector Fajardo in his first two fights with Combate Global. On the other side, “The French Hawaiian” Daguzan is, as the nickname suggests, from France but now trains alongside Max Holloway at Gracie Technics in Hawaii. The Bellator veteran has only won one of his last five fights, including a 1-1 run in Combate Global.
Rounding out the opening round matchups are Argentina’s Luciano Ramos and Spain’s Kevin Cordero. “El Aguila” Ramos trains with the Diaz brothers and has won his last three MMA fights, including one bout in LFA. Cordero is likely the favorite to win the tournament, as the 22 year old Cage Warriors veteran is one of Europe’s top prospects. In his Combate Global debut at Combate Global 18 in September, his put former Bellator contender Ricky Bandejas to sleep with a triangle choke.
If any of the night’s winners need to be replaced, there are two alternate bouts set to precede the tournament. The first is between Colombia’s Felipe Vargas, an American Top Team-trained Titan FC veteran who has lost two of his last three, and Chile’s Deigo Manzur, who holds a record of 4-0 but has not fought since 2018. The second is between the aforementioned Bandejas of America and Alan Cantu of Mexico, who has spent the majority of his 16-fight career competing with Combate.
Two women’s feature bouts are also set to take place, as Caroline Gallardo and Criszaida Adames are set to lock horns at strawweight, and Tyler Schaefer will make her pro MMA debut against Rosselyn Chavira in a 130-pound catchweight bout.
MMA Sucka has fight fans covered with Copa Combate 2021 results, as the card starts at 10pm ET/7pm PT on Paramount+.
Copa Combate 2021 Results
Final Round
Frans Mlambo def. Kevin Cordero via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Featured Bout
Tyler Schaefer vs. Rosselyn Chavira via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Semifinal Round
Kevin Cordero def. Leo Muniz via KO (Punches) at 4:57
Frans Mlambo def. Cristian Barraza via Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9)
Featured Bout
Caroline Gallardo def. Criszaida Adames via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Opening Round
Kevin Cordero def. Luciano Ramos via Split Decision (10-9, 9-10, 10-9)
Leo Muniz def. Pierre Daguzan via TKO (Punches) at 3:53
Cristian Barraza def. Carlos Briseno via Unanimous Decision (10-9, 10-9, 10-9)
Frans Mlambo def. Jose Zarauz via Split Decision (10-9, 9-10, 10-9)
Alternate Bouts
Ricky Bandejas def. Alan Cantu via Unanimous Decision
Diego Manzur def. Felipe Vargas via Unanimous Decision
