It’s another Friday night of MMA action. On the eve of UFC 304 in Manchester, UK, Urijah Faber has a great appetizer before the smorgasbord of competitive violence tomorrow night. Six days after A1 Combat 22 took place, Tachi Palace in Lemoore, CA is the host venue for A1 Combat 23.
Live coverage begins tonight at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on the promotion’s official YouTube channel with a special event. Before the fights begin proper, the 2024 class of the Tachi Palace Hall of Fame will be enshrined. Alex Perez, Michael McDonald, and Joe Soto are being inducted this evening.
Due to the Hall of Fame ceremony tonight, the final version of A1 Combat 23 features seven bouts across YouTube and UFC Fight Pass. Two title fights will highlight the evening’s activities.
Main Event
At the top of the bill tonight is the battle for the A1 Combat Lightweight Championship. Incumbent titleholder Christian Avalos (5-1 MMA, 4-0 A1 Combat) defends his belt against challenger (and 16-fight veteran) Samuel Alvarez (10-6 MMA, 1-0 A1 Combat).
Co-Main Event
Immediately before that, the co-main attraction sees the Vacant A1 Combat Featherweight Championship up for grabs. Erick Sanchez (12-8 MMA, 1-1 A1 Combat) battles Bruno Souza (10-3 MMA, A1 Combat promotional debut.) The winner succeeds Ernie Juarez, who will be appearing later this summer on Contender Series, as champion. Both title fights are an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round.
Rest of the Card
Also tonight, you’ll see a lightweight fixture matching Brandon Olson (5-5 MMA, 2-0 A1 Combat) and Anthony Figueroa (4-1 MMA, 2-1 A1 Combat), a contracted catchweight (165 lbs.) between Arturo Hernandez (4-7, 1 NC MMA, A1 Combat promotional debut) and Chilo Gutierrez (6-6 MMA, 0-1 A1 Combat), a bantamweight fixture versing Enoch McCottrell (1-1, 1 NC MMA, 1-1, 1 NC A1 Combat) against Andrew Toste (0-1 MMA, 0-1 A1 Combat), and a catchweight (160 lbs.) contest pairing Luis Jauregui Martinez (3-5 MMA) against Mathew Reed (1-3 MMA.)
A1 Combat Results:
Main Card: 10 pm ET/ 7 pm PT, UFC Fight Pass
Main Event: Christian Avalos def. Samuel Alvarez by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), defends A1 Combat Lightweight Championship.
Co-Main Event: Bruno Souza def. Erick Sanchez by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27), wins Vacant A1 Combat Featherweight Championship.
Anthony Figueroa def. Brandon Olson by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28.)
Chilo Gutierrez def. Arturo Gonzalez by Unanimous Decision (29-28. 30-27, 30-27.)
Enoch McCottrell def. Andrew Toste by KO (Right Hand) at 1:47 into Round 3.
Luis Jauregui Martinez def. Mathew Reed by Submission (Injury) at 2:40 into Round 1. Catchweight: 160 lbs.
Prelim: After Tachi Palace HOF Inductions, YouTube
Martine Sandoval def. Herminio Gutierrez by Submission (Von Flue Choke) at 3:45 into Round 2.
