Fury FC, the Texas-based promotion that has fast become one of the industry’s leading launching pads to a career in a major organization, returns for another exciting show on Sunday afternoon. The show will air live from the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas.
Sunday’s card will be headlined by a featherweight clash between UFC veteran Marcelo Rojo out of Argentina and dangerous Brazilian Maike Linhares. Linares is stepping in for Nate Richardson, who withdrew last month.
Fight fans can catch Fury FC 81 streaming live on UFC Fight Pass, with the main card set to get underway at 5:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT. The amateur prelims will be available on the Fury FC YouTube channel, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT.
Main Event — Rojo vs. Linares
Marcelo Rojo is a fighter in need of a big 2023, and not just for his desire to get back to a major promotion. The UFC veteran closed his run in the world’s leading MMA organization winless in three fights while fighting just three times in 21 months. However, he redeemed himself in his debut fight for Fury FC, knocking out Angel Luis Cruz in under four minutes. Rojo looked like his fast and explosive self, and regardless on what side of the fight he is on, he always brings the excitement.
The Argentine has not seen the judges’ scorecards in more than 10 years, one of the longest streaks in the lightweight division, and he will have an opportunity to keep that streak alive and perhaps punch his ticket to a shot at the Fury FC featherweight crown.
The #FuryFC81 card is here!!!!
It goes down this Sunday pic.twitter.com/bkPbeg8GVu
— Fury FC (@FuryFightingTX) July 13, 2023
Linhares, however, will represent a step up in competition. The 29-year-old Brazilian is striving to put himself on the radar of Dana White, Scott Coker and others. A winner in eight of his last nine, Linhares has kept himself relevant on the regional scene with victories in every which way, however is lacking a signature win that will take his career to the next level. He did beat Andre Harrison with a split decision on a recent XMMA card, but Harrison is just 1-3 since 2018 and might not be the fighter he used to be. A win over Rojo, however, will help put Linhares on the map and also make it five straight victories.
Co-Main Event — Borrego vs. Vigil
Fan favorite Zach Borrego is back for what promises to be another action fight, this time against Adam Vigil. Vigil, 34, took four years off from MMA between 2017 and 2021, but is doing everything he can to put his career on the fast track. He is fighting in high profile regional promotions like Fury FC, LFA and Anthony Pettis FC, and now finds himself set to make his debut against a fighter in Borrego who has assimilated himself with the local fans thanks to a series of wars he has both won and lost. Now 4-2, he will need to bounce back after a tough loss to Lajuan Davis, though his only other defeat came at the hands of UFC middleweight phenom Bo Nickal.
The matchup should tell fans exactly where both fighters are at in their respective careers. Vigil is going to need to to find a way to deal with a power puncher like Borrego, as his only career loss came by way of TKO at the hands of Logan Woods at the inaugural APFC event. Otherwise, Vigil has impressed. He owns two victories under the 20-second mark, but has also gone the distance on multiple occasions. If he can make Borrego fight his fight and not get roped into a brawl, he will stand a good chance of moving to 7-1.
Rest of the Card
The remainder of Sunday afternoon’s card will feature a ton of fun fights littered throughout the main card, in addition to a round of amateur prelims that will air exclusively on the promotion’s YouTube channel. One fighter fans will certainly want to keep an eye on is Jacobe Smith. The former Oklahoma State wrestler and Fortis MMA product will have a chance to move to 6-0 when he faces Austin Jones. Smith handled Leivon Lewis with ease his last time out, and Jones is a fighter who can be controlled. However, Jones will also represent the most experienced fighter on Smith’s record to date.
Jones will not be the only unbeaten fighter showcased on Sunday’s main card. Jiu-jitsu specialist Kody Steele will look to make a 4-0 start to his pro career when he takes on Nicholas Whitehead. Steele has grappled some of the best of the best on the domestic circuit, and his competition experience should aid him as he takes another step in his MMA career. Former Notre Dame College wrestler Mo Miller is also scheduled for action against John Yannis, and Eddie Fraire will be taking on Mario Suazo in the flyweight division.
Unbeaten amateurs Alivia Bierley and Ariel Frantz will headline the prelims with the Fury FC women’s amateur bantamweight championship up for grabs.
With fights subject to change as always, be sure to stay locked in to MMA Sucka for up-to-the-minute news and updates.
Fury FC 81: Rojo vs. Linares Results
Main Card
Maike Linhares def. Marcelo Rojo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Adam Vigil def. Zack Borrego via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jacobe Smith def. Austin Jones via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
John Yannis def. Mo Miller via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Eddie Fraire def. Mario Suazo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Kody Steele def. Nicholas Whitehead via Knockout (Right Straight) at 4:36 of Round 1
Amateur Preliminary Card
Roger Smith def. Alex Wettstein via Knockout (Body Kick) at 2:00 of Round 1
Juan Rosales def. Brandon Gutierrez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alivia Bierley def. Ariel Frantz via Submission (RNC) at 2:22 of Round 3 — For the FFC Bantamweight Championship
Orlando Davila def. Mehul Somaroutu via Submission (RNC) at 2:33 of Round 2
Caden Adkinson def. Zack T. Horton via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Allissa Maldonado def. Hope Holmes via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Sterling Smoak def. Robert Olivarez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Luis Robles def. Alexis Arauz via Knockout (Knee) at 1:06 of Round 2
