Protection and Article by Dylan Knostman
United Combat League 6 hosts their first occasion of 2025 with a metropolis vs metropolis showdown in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. This occasion will see Rampage Jackson’s Workforce Orange county conflict with Henry Cejudo’s Workforce Scottsdale. This would be the second occasion from the UFL showcasing their crew vs crew idea, with the debut of this construction occurring at UFL 5 with Workforce Las Vegas defeating Workforce Phoenix with a rating of 5-4. Fighters rating factors based mostly on the results of the combat, with 4 factors for a first-round end, 3 factors for a second-round end, 2 factors for a third-round end, and 1 level for a choice victory. With the UFL asserting a number of new potential franchise homeowners and places, anticipate this occasion to be an enormous step ahead for the Arizona based mostly promotion.
The UFL has confirmed to be a hotbed for future prime degree expertise, with a number of former fighters getting the decision to the UFC (Ryan Loder, Vince Morales, Jose Delgado, Nikolay Verretnikov) whereas different fighters have additionally gotten contracts with main promotions (Veronika Smolkova & Brittney Cloudy – OKTAGON, Justin Wetzell – PFL). The UFL plans to construct on this success at UFL 6, with many prime prospects and revered veterans getting into the cage. The primary occasion options Bellator veteran Buddy Wallace taking over UFC veteran and Arizona native Kyle “Gunz Up” Stewart. Additionally on the cardboard, former Penn State wrestler Geno Morelli makes his UFL debut taking over Austin Wourms, and UFC veteran and former UFL bantamweight Hunter Azure is returning after profitable a title with one other promotion on brief discover. Under is a listing of the cardboard, with particulars on every matchup. UFL 6 might be reside without cost on Rumble, and tickets are nonetheless accessible on the UFL’s Web site. Fights start at 6:30 pm PST, and reside outcomes might be up to date on this web page.
Combat 1: Jared Braun (2-1) vs Carlos Valadez (2-3) – 130 lb Catchweight Bout
Within the first combat of the night, Arizona’s Jared Braun is making his UFL debut towards Colorado’s Carlos Valadez, Each of those fighters are early of their careers, and each have excessive degree coaching companions, with Braun spending a while in Colorado with UFC Flyweight Brandon Royval. Each these fighters are robust grapplers, and anticipate a excessive degree bout between two prospects within the curtain jerker.
Outcome:
Combat 2: Kyle Estrada (13-8) vs Joao Camilo (9-7) – 125 lb Flyweight Bout*
*Camilo missed weight by 2 lbs, combat will conitinue with Camilo forfeiting a part of his purse.
Kyle Estrada is a reputation many regional MMA followers are aware of. An LFA, Combate, and Bellator veteran, Estrada has fought a number of the hardest competitors round with fights vs Adrian Yanez, Kevin Natividad, and Louis Smolka on his resume. Standing throughout from Estrada might be Brazilian Joao Camilo, who at present trains out of the MMA Lab in Phoenix, AZ. Camilo can also be a Combate and LFA veteran, and most lately fought domestically for RUF MMA. Camilo has additionally fought many excessive degree fighters, together with UFC vets Daniel Barez, Charles Johnson, and Victor Altamirano. This is among the highest degree regional flyweight matchups you’ll see, and there’s no doubt this combat will ship. Estrada is a easy striker, with various weapons and a incredible spinning again kick to the physique. He’s additionally adept on the bottom, however makes his cash on the toes. Camilo is a little more effectively rounded, and if he can get the combat to the bottom he could discover his path to victory, however that’s simpler mentioned than finished towards a striker like Estrada.
Outcome:
Combat 3: Paul Marghitas (0-0) vs Steven Almeida (1-5) – 145 lb Featherweight Bout
Marghitas has been one of many hottest beginner prospects in Arizona, and he’s now making his lengthy awaited skilled debut. Marghitas is thought for his devasting placing, and his rowdy crowd of followers that may make themselves seen and heard at any of his fights. The MMA Lab prospect went 5-1 as an amatuer, and is seeking to make an announcement towards the veteran Steven Almeida. Almeida has had a tough go as an expert, however was 6-0 as an beginner and is little question a harmful opponent for Marghitas.
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Combat 4: Richard “The Grappler” Mahan (2-1) vs Patrick Cornett (2-2)
In one of many extra fascinating matchups of the night, UFL veteran and Workforce Scottsdale fighter Richard Mahan welcomes Orange County’s Patrick Cornett to the United Combat League. This would be the first crew vs crew matchup of the night, with the UFL scoring in impact. Mahan is coming off a loss to prime prospect Yevgeni Shinkarevsky, however proved his talent with a win prior in his UFL debut. Within the different nook, Patrick Cornett is among the extra fascinating people in MMA. A consummate entertainer, Cornett can also be an actor and the touring DJ for enormous artist Saweetie, and the day after this combat he might be touring again to California to carry out in a live performance. Regardless of his wild life, Cornett brings athleticism and talent to the cage, and can little question be on the lookout for a knockout on Friday night. Mahan will probably look to get the combat to the bottom to search for submissions, and confirmed otherworldly toughness in his final combat. It is a very intriguing combat between two prospects, and the winner will set themselves up effectively for his or her subsequent alternative.
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Combat 5: Reyes Cortez Jr. (8-3) vs Ricardo Dias (10-7) – 135lb Bantamweight Workforce Matchup
That is the second crew vs crew combat of the cardboard, and is among the finest fights of the evening on paper. Reyes Cortez, the youthful brother of UFC fighter Tracy Cortez, might be making his UFL debut after Mutiple stints on Dana White’s Contender Collection. He confronted extraordinarily robust opposition towards Christian Rodriguez and Payton Talbott, however has confirmed himself to be a prime prospect on the regional scene. The Combat Prepared health club has energy in his palms with 5 of his eight wins coming by knockout, and just like his sister he’s a powerful wrestler as effectively. His toughness is spectacular as effectively, as he has by no means been completed. His opponent, Ricardo Dias, boasts a litany of excessive degree expertise as effectively, with 4 of his bouts coming within the LFA. Dias has struggled as of late, dropping his final three bouts however stays a competive fighter at 135 lbs. He has by no means been knocked out and is an adept submission artist, so Reyes should grind to get the victory. If he wins the UFC might very effectively come calling subsequent., and Dias appears to return to his profitable methods.
Outcome:
Combat 6: Austin “Starkiller” Wourms (7-5) vs Geno Morelli (4-0) – 170 lb Welterweight Workforce matchup
In a basic prospect vs veteran, jiu jitsu vs wrestling matchup, Arizona BJJ black belt and Workforce Scottsdale member Austin “Starkiller” Wourms welcomes former Penn State wrestler and Workforce Orange County Fighter Geno Morelli to his dwelling state to battle within the cage. Wourms has by no means turned down robust competitors, with submission victories over a number of the finest fighters within the southwest, together with former LFA champion Jacobi Jones. Wourms is extremely harmful off his again, and may be very unorthodox on the toes, making him a troublesome matchup for anybody. One thing to notice for Wourms, he’s a profession light-weight now shifting as much as welterweight, so will probably be fascinating to see how measurement and energy performs an element. Dimension and energy won’t be the one components, as Morelli is as embellished a school wrestler you will see, and boasts an undefeated document of 4-0 in MMA. The plan might be to wrestle, get on prime, and floor and pound Austin Wourms however Morrelli might get it finished on the toes as effectively. It is a really fascinating matchup between proficient fighters, and it might go both method.
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Co-Fundamental Occasion: Hunter Azure (12-4) vs Alvaro Quiroga (6-2) – 140 lb Catchweight Workforce Matchup
On simply two days’ discover, former UFC fighter and former UFL bantamweight champion Hunter Azure returns to the UFL cage to face surging Bolivian fighter Alvaro Quiroga. Azure secured his title with an enormous knockout win over Amun Cosme at UFL 5, however misplaced his belt to now UFC fighter Vince Morales at UFL 6. Azure has since gained a title for an additional promotion however is seeking to show Arizona is his turf towards the visiting Quiroga. Azure is a powerful wrestler with nice energy in his palms, and has fought the perfect of the perfect his complete profession. Quiroga may be very unproven, with most of his fights occurring in Bolivia towards opponents with very poor data. He appears to show that he’s of the highest degree at UFL 6, and has a incredible probability to showcase his abilities towards the previous champ Azure.
Fundamental Occasion: Buddy “Braveheart” Wallace (22-10) vs Kyle “Gunz Up” Stewart (15-6) – 185 lb Middleweight Workforce Matchup
In the primary occasion of the night, UFC veteran and native Arizona favourite Kyle Stewart makes his long-awaited return to the cage after a number of setbacks, that included a serious again surgical procedure that left Stewart questioning if he would ever combat once more. Nonetheless, he has returned to MMA to tackle Bellator veteran Buddy “Braveheart” Wallace, who’s one other fighter who has by no means shied away from prime degree competitors and loves nothing in life greater than preventing and household. Each of those fighters are primarily strikers, and anticipate an absolute battle in Stewarts retirement combat. Each males will look to carry it, and with the factors and crew money bonus on the road, that is set as much as be an unforgettable matchup between two veterans.
Outcome:
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