For the first time, Combate Global will feature a four-man lightweight European tournament this Sunday, August 1, 2021.

Known to host several tournaments, Combate Global’s la jaula will welcome fresh faces hailing from Italy, France, Ireland, and Spain.

The event will air in a two-hour window on Univision (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT) and TUDN USA (11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT) in the U.S. and on TUDN MX (10 p.m. local time) in Mexico from Univision’s studios in Miami, Fla.

A 75-minute version of the program will air the same night on Televisa Nueve (10:45 p.m. local time) in Mexico.

The tournament will kick off with the semifinals scheduled for one five-minute round. The finals will be scheduled for three five-minute rounds.

The winner of the tournament will earn an entry for his country into the annual “COPA COMBATE” one-night, eight-man, $100,000 grand prize tournament in December.

Earlier this year, Combate Global held a four man and an eight-man tournament. On August 13, an eight-woman tournament will take place.

The following contenders have an opportunity to walk out of la jaula with their hands raised hoisting their respective country’s flag.

The semi-finals will include Ireland’s Patrick “The Leech” Lehane (Pro debut has 19 amateur fights) vs Spain’s Sebastian Santana Guedes (8-2-1) and Italy’s Gianluca “Django” Rocca (6-0) vs France’s Maxime L’Animaux Giacalone (5-5-1).

Lehane

Ireland’s Lehane stepped up to represent his country despite having no previous professional experience. The three-time amateur champion went viral after his second to last victory knocking out his opponent at 1:19 in the second round by way of an uppercut in 2019. He counts on 19 amateur bouts and his last two fights were in a span of two weeks winning one by TKO and the other by submission. He trains out of the Straight Blast Gym (SBG) Cork City under Liam Griffin. The gym is a branch of SBG Ireland which is the gym John Kavanah, mixed martial art trainer, and former world champion Conor McGregor are from.

Although professionally, he comes with the least experience, fans can be in for a treat with his impressive stand-up game. Lookout for flashy hands and unorthodox footwork, which could lead to the underdog winning the tournament. However, in the semifinals, he faces a tough challenge as he battles the experienced Spanish fighter Guedes, who has eleven professional fights.

Guedes

Born in Spain, Guedes, whose parents are Cuban, is looking to bounce back after a submission loss back in June 2019. This will be his first time fighting in the United States. Four of his victories come by way of submission. Knowing that Lehane is a stand-up fighter, Guedes, a black belt in Jiu Jitsu, might want to take the fight to the ground where he feels comfortable and could mean trouble for the Irish. He also holds a record of 2-0 in professional kickboxing and a 2-0 record in boxing. The Spaniard loved to play soccer but decided to train martial arts after being bullied. When he is not training, he is working as a security guard. Although he is looking forward to hoist Spain’s flag in victory, Guedes has a goal of one day becoming a gym owner.

Rocca

Italy’s Rocca was motivated to start mixed martial arts after watching the back-and-forth war between Diego Sanchez and Gilbert Melendez in 2013. The undefeated fighter started his martial arts training by learning the art of eight limbs, Muay Thai, and boxing. Expect him to display tons of stand-up ammo against his French opponent. He credits the sport for getting him out of trouble. After his parent’s divorce, he would get involved in street fights and made wrong decisions. But MMA allowed him to get his head straight. His last fight was on September 2019 where he won by way of TKO. When the Palestra Pride gym standout is not training, you can find him enjoying pizza or watching soccer. His perfect fight record is on the line as he will meet France’s Giacalone known for his vicious striking.

Giacalone

Three of Giacalone’s five victories have come by way of submission, but he is confident that he has the perfect hands to knockout his opponents and earn the tournament victory. However, one of those submission victories was a submission of the year candidate in which he locked in a Peruvian necktie in 2017. The French fighter trains out of the Team Marseille Fight Club. Winning the tournament, will allow fans to put eyes on France as the country did not legalize MMA until January 2020. There are many fighters representing the country, but a tournament victory will put him right in the same category.

RESERVE BOUT

Spain’s Tommy Aaron (8-5) and Jean Marc “Kokito” Howell (13-5) will battle in reserve bout.

Should either of the semifinal stage bout winners be physically unable to advance to the

championship stage of the tournament due to injury sustained en route to victory, the winner of the matchup between Aaron and Howell will replace the injured winner in the championship bout.

The semifinal stage bouts as well as the tournament reserve bout will be comprised of one, five-minute round each. The championship stage fight will be comprised of three, five-minute rounds.

OTHER BOUTS

In addition to the tournament, the fight card will feature three single bouts pitting competitors from the U.S. against adversaries from Mexico.

In a strawweight (115 pounds) contest, unbeaten Maraya Miller (1-0) will take on 18-year-old upstart Irlanda Galindo (0-0) of Mexico City, Mexico.

Roberto Romero Hernandez (2-2) of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico via Irvine, Calif. will collide with Michael Martinez (1-1) of San Antonio, Texas at featherweight (145 pounds).

Jimmy “Sandstorm” Sandlin (4-2) of Carlisle, Ohio will meet Carlos “Goku” Arana (2-1) of Guadalajara, J.L., Mexico at lightweight.