Karate Combat closes out its year tonight with one of the most stacked cards in its history, as Karate Combat 37 goes down live from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
The main event is one of the most anticipated matchups in both promotional history and in the history of full-contact karate, as the legendary American Raymond Daniels will battle Azerbaijan’s five-time world karate champion, Rafael Aghayev, for the interim welterweight championship. After a storied kickboxing career, Daniels returned to his original love of karate when he made his promotional debut at Karate Combat 35, where he picked up a dominant decision victory over Franklin Mina. Aghayev, meanwhile, is 3-0 in the promotion, most recently defeating Davy Dona at Karate Combat Season 4 Episode 4.
The bantamweight championship is up for grabs in the co-main event, as champion Eoghan Chelmiah defends his belt against Jesus Lopez. After taking the belt from Ilias Mardhi last year, Chelmiah defended his new title for the first time in his last fight, defeating Mardhi once again by fourth round stoppage at the aforementioned Karate Combat Season 4 Episode 4. The 26 year old Irishman is now 4-0 in the promotion. Peru’s Lopez, meanwhile, has had his ups and downs in the promotion, but finally seems to be hitting his stride after grabbing a decision win over Gabriel Stankunas at Karate Combat 35.
Also on the card is former Glory and Bellator Kickboxing world champion Gabriel Varga, who will look for his second promotional win in as many fights against Tommy Azouz, who is trying to get back on track after a controversial decision loss at Karate Combat 36.
The prelims will be headlined by the debuting UFC veteran Sasha Palatnikov, who will battle Canadian Rob Buxton, who is coming off of a second round stoppage in his debut in June.
MMA Sucka has fight fans covered with Karate Combat 37 results, with the event available live on YouTube starting at 7pm ET/4pm PT.
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Karate Combat 37 Results
Main Card
Rafael Aghayev def. Raymond Daniels via Unanimous Decision, wins Interim Karate Combat Welterweight Championship
*Eoghan Chelmiah def. Jesus Lopez via Split Decision, defends Karate Combat Bantamweight Championship
Gabriel Varga def. Tommy Azouz via TKO (Punches) at 2:03 of Round 3
Samuel Ericsson def. Tarek Khelifi via TKO (Ankle Injury) at 1:25 of Round 3
Preliminary Card
Sasha Palatnikov def. Rob Buxton via TKO (Punches) at 2:39 of Round 1
Andres Madera def. Maciej Tercjak via TKO (Punches) at 1:30 of Round 3
Gabriel Stankunas def. Maximo Nunez via Decision
Gabo Diaz def. Samy Ennkhaili via TKO (Shoulder Injury) at 1:22 of Round 3
*Lopez was incorrectly announced as the winner immediately after the fight, but was announced incorrectly
