Miami, FL– For the first time in Combate Global history, athletes will hoist the promotion’s flag high as they face some of the top fighters from Japan.

This Saturday, CG 2023 May 13: Combate Global vs Japan will feature a main event between one the best atom weights in the world Mexico’s Ana “La Guerrera” Palacios (7-1-1) as she meets undefeated Chihiro Sawada (4-0-1) in a three-round fight.

Also, in the co-main event, Chile’s Victor “Psicosis” Valenzuela (9-3) meets Japanese veteran Shinsho “Animal” Anzai at 170 lbs and Uruguay’s Nico Barna (7-2) will make his debut in la jauala against the return of the undefeated Ramiro “El Cachanilla” Jimenez (6-0) in a featured bout at 145 lbs.

Palacios vs Sawada 

Palacios returns after a comeback victory last July against Korea’s Bo Hyun Park. The Asian connected an over hand right that took the Mexican to the canvass, but Palacios remained composed and determined. She scrambled and was able to force Park to submit via arm bar in the first round.

Training with the Bonebreakers, home of champion David Martinez, Palacios faces another strong challenge and will be tested in the ground by Sawada’s wrestling.

Sawada has a background in wrestling. She won the All-Japan 2018 wrestling championship and was part of the Aoyama Gakuin University wrestling team in Tokyo. For this fight, she trained at Team Oyama with former world champion Carla Esparza. She is coming off a victory in February by way of Americana.

Sawada has good enough striking to open holes where she can take Palacios down. Like Palacios, Sawada also has good jiu jitsu. However, Sawada has a good ground and pound game, which could be the difference in this fight.

Valenzuela vs Anzai 

Valenzuela, who trains with MMA Masters, is coming off has two victories in la jauala one by submission and the other by way of decision. His last fight was in December, which a victory by technical knockout. He went undefeated in 2022 with three victories.

On the other side, Anzai last competed in 2019, which was a defeat by the hands of Michael Page. Injuries kept him away from competing, but he did not quit and is feeling great for his first fight in the United States. For this camp, he has trained with another well-known Japanese fighter Yushin Okami.

Anzais says he fights like an animal. There is truth to that as he likes to rush in and throw heavy combinations. As for Valenzuela, he is not far as he counts on his kickboxing but is more technique but is willing to brawl.

This could be one for the ages and may end with someone knocked out.

Barna vs Jimenez  

Jimenez is coming off a victory by way of knockout in the first round back in July. He trains with the GOAT Shed based out of Miami, FL with the like of Cristian “Puas” Perez. He has been honing his skills especially on the ground where he has shown an evolution. His base is Muay Thai so expect quick combinations.

Barra is making his debut inside la jaula and the nerves will be kicking in. He holds a black belt in kickboxing and trains with the AZ team in Uruguay. His last fight was in May where he came off short and is hungry for another win.

Expect a stand-up war between these two. Barna has much to prove as not too many fighters from Uruguay compete in MMA, but he is determined to put his country on the map and it would be sweet against an undefeated Mexican fighter who has been on a roll. For Barna, his best chances are to keep the fight standing as Jimenez has many victories by way of submission.