Bringing you highlights and news from Combate's recent events...
TANEYEV DETHRONED | OCHOA BRINGS BELT BACK TO MEXICO | WILL WE SEE A REMATCH?
Anthony "El Cazador" Ochoa (22-10-0) defeats Valentin "The Hand Grenade" Taneyev (34-16-1) by TKO in the 3rd round to capture the Light Heavyweight championship.
Ochoa entered this fight as a massive underdog to the former champion, and you could see the respect these two fighters had for each other in the first round after a tentative start. It appeared to be a feeling out process with both fighters clearly respecting the other man's firepower.
Both fighters appeared to be throwing everything they had in their shots, trying to score a highlight reel finish, and by the 2nd round they both were breathing pretty heavily. It seemed like Taneyev was separating himself from the challenger until Ochoa summoned his inner Mexican warrior and landed a big right hand that sent the champ crashing to the floor. Ochoa waved the bloodied up champ to his feet which drew cheers from the sold out arena.
From there on out, it seemed like Ochoa had found his range with that right hand. Ochoa came out in the 3rd and proved it by knocking him down again, waving him up much to the delight of the crowd, and finishing the job off with an overhand right that had Taneyev in a world of trouble. Ochoa pounded away on his opponent until the ref had to jump in to save him, and with that, Anthony Ochoa was officially the new Light Heavyweight champion.
Fans and pundits are already clamoring for an instant rematch for the Russian, citing his impressive title run and historic accomplishments inside the Combate cage. Rumors have it that Ochoa has already signed the dotted line if Valentin indeed does wish to run it back.
BLANK KO'S GRANITE | VYING FOR TITLE | EARNS KOTN
After winning his Combate debut in style by knocking out the Corona Virus, Jimmy "Gimmie" Granite (17-9-0) was gaining traction towards a heavyweight title shot. That all came to a screeching halt when he ran into the giant fists of former Heavyweight champ, Billy "Buldozer" Blank (18-8-0).
Billy Blank, the seven-foot-tall juggernaut, KO'd Jimmy Granite in 1:26 in the first round with a big uppercut and a massive right hand to get back into the win column after losing his title to Gerry "Mandering" Line (who would go on to lose it to surging Heavyweight contender Max Bonaparte).
The product of CHECMATE PRIME MMA told reporters at the post-fight press conference that he wants to get back into title contention and redeem his losses. With his 2nd KOTN performance one would certainly have to think that Blank's name is back in the mix as a contender in the Heavyweight division.
HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN | BONAPARTE DEFENDS TITLE VS ODENSE HW CHAMP
Maximilian "The Lion" Bonaparte (19-5-0) puts the Heavyweight title on the line against Billy "The Zombie" Cubbedge (18-5-0) at C191 on May 14th.
After exploding on the scene with 3 consecutive victories under the Combate banner, Bonaparte won the Combate Heavyweight championship in style back at C187 when he TKO'd Gerry "Mandering" Line in 2:07 of the very first round, improving his flawless Combate resume to 4-0 with 3 knockouts.
The challenger is one of the most recognized Heavyweights in the game. The Polish Odense Heavyweight champion Billy Cubbedge is ready to make his Combate debut after kneeing his last opponent into oblivion at OFK 293. Fans have been highly anticipating the debut of Cubbedge ever since he signed a non-exclusive deal with the organization.
When fire meets fire, one can all but guarantee an explosive knockout is incoming, and fight fans are jizzing their pants in anticipation. Who will emerge victorious?
COMBATE LANDS TOP HEAVYWEIGHT | KERSIKOV READY FOR WAR
Andrei Kersikov (15-4-0) exploded onto the Heavyweight scene when he won the WVT title against Tali Ihantala with a dramatic spinning back fist KO back at WVT 80. He followed it up with a huge knockout win over long-time GAMMA Heavyweight champion Karim Johnson. He was widely regarded as the 2nd best heavyweight on the planet not named Kilo Maluga.
Controversy emerged when rumors of him pissing hot for performance enhancing drugs surfaced. He'd find himself on the free agent market after WVT and DMMA separated themselves from the Ukrainian heavyweight. Shortly after Kersikov's name would be linked to Kjetil Olsen after Olsen dethroned Kilo Maluga for the SYN Heavyweight championship. Apparently however, no orgs would sanction the bout in fear for Olsen's safety.
After the rumors of a Olsen-Kersikov showdown were squashed by Dana Black and the commie overlords at SYN, Kersikov signed an exclusive deal with the Combate organization which nearly broke the internet. Fans can't wait to see who Kersikov faces next. Most assume he'll skip the line of contenders and get an instant title shot against the winner of Bonaparte/Cubbedge. Combate brass has yet to confirm or deny these reports.
