Mixed Martial Arts fans in Singapore were dealt a major blow on Friday when it was announced the International Association Diamond Fight’s (IADF) debut event in the country was cancelled.
IADF: Singapore vs. World was scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 5, at Resorts World Sentosa. But, according to sources close to the situation, complications arising from the promotion’s base, Russia, prevented officials from carrying out the event entirely.
IADF: Singapore vs. World event postponed
IADF is believed to be working on securing another date for its inaugural installment and is expected to make a formal announcement in the coming days. Although not confirmed, officials are looking to pencil the event for October 18.
As previously announced, two title bouts were set for the nine-fight spectacle. Singapore’s very own Syafiq Samad (3-1) was to take on Mario Sismundo (1-1), a late replacement for his original opponent, Jaypee Espinosa (0-0), for the WDFA Championship title in the main event while Muay Thai extraordinaire Lena Ovchinnykova (9-3) was set to to battle Mongolia’s Madagmaa (0-0) for the 120-lbs in the co-main.
Longtime Asian MMA staple Will Chope (20-7) was set to compete with AFC veteran Rodolfo Marques (16-4-1) but that match-up looks to be off the bill with the latter scheduled to compete elsewhere later this month. Should the event take place on October 18, Chope will be getting a new opponent.
It’s well worth noting that with the fighters on the card often experiencing a change in opponents on short notice, it is possible that we could see new faces on the card if the promotion is unable to tie down its current competitors. While a special guest-of-honor appearance by Hollywood superstar, Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally on the docket for October 5, it remains to be seen if the 53-year-old will be on hand on October 18.
Speculation is rife so keep it locked to MMASucka.com for more updates and news on this and all things Asian MMA.
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