King of the Cage has always been a staple of combat sports in New Mexico since the early days of MMA within the region. They will make their 2014 debut on February 8th inside the Crowne Plaza Casino in Albuquerque. New Mexico and as always the promotion will feature a whole line-up of local fighters from several gyms from the surrounding area. In fact, if the fight card stays even remotely intact this week (injuries, late scratches, etc. typically happen), the “Rumble” event will feature FIFTEEEN gyms of which eleven are located in the New Mexico state lines. The inclusion of the lesser known gyms has always been a niche that King of the Cage has found success with and this card will exemplify that perfectly.
The promotion returns to Albuquerque for their first show of 2014. King of the Cage has been a staple of the state’s combat community for several years.
Headlining the card is two professional bouts between three fighters making their professional debuts. John Rozema, Dorian Dixon and Aaron Perls are all well-known amateur fighters from this area as well as King of the Cage veterans and will all be in action atop the fight card. The rest of the card will feature amateurs of all experience levels including one women’s bout.
The King of the Cage promotion has six events scheduled for the area this year including “Rumble” which will be the busiest year in the area for the promotion in some time. If all six shows go on as planned this will be possibly one of the busiest years for a promotion throwing shows in a single city in the areas history. This will be the second consecutive show in Albuquerque to be held in the Crowne Plaza Hotel with the last outing of the “Future Legends” series packing the venue and creating a very loud atmosphere.
The promotion would like to thank the Sadie’s restaurant and staff for their continued support of not just the King of the Cage events, but for everything they do in the boxing and MMA community. Brian and his family have been great to NM fighters and the “Rumble” weigh-ins will take place at their 4th Street location. The fights will start on Saturday night at 6:00 PM, doors will open at 5:00 PM. Get your tickets at www.holdmyticket.com or contact your favorite fighter competing on the fight card. You can also find tickets available at FIT NHB fight gym
“Rumble” Fight Card (Card Order and Fight Card Subject to Change):
Main Event:
145 Pounds: John Rozema (Judgement MMA) vs. David Payne (Altitude MMA, Colorado)
Co-Main Event:
145 Pounds: Aaron Perls (Santa Fe BJJ) vs. Dorian Dixon (ABQ BJJ/Rosales Kickboxing)
Undercard:
150 Pounds: Charles Williams (FIT NHB) vs. Andrew Vargas (Bonecrusher/Torres)
135 Pounds: Thomas Mills (Perez Fighting Systems) vs. Cristobal Chavez (10th Planet BJJ, Texas)
185 Pounds: Seth Leake (J5 MMA) vs. Zack Sanchez (505 Fight Factory)
135 Pounds: Joseph Veloz (Get Fit Fight Gym, Texas) vs. Joel Whitney (Santa Fe BJJ)
130 Pounds: Louis Pappas (Judgement MMA) Robert Herrera (505 Fight Factory)* vs. Mark McGlasson (Child’s Play MMA, Colorado)
170 Pounds: George Clynes (Jackson’s MMA/Gracie Barra NM) vs. Joe Barton (Altitude MMA, Colorado) (Clynes scratched due to injury)
205 Pounds: Elias Proce (ABQ BJJ) vs. Eric Kapp (Altitude MMA, Colorado)
140 Pounds: Ronald Smith (FIT NHB) vs. Jacob Tosh (Perez Fighting Systems)
170 Pounds: Marcos Mendoza (Durango MMA, Colorado) vs. Mike Taff (Child’s Play MMA, Colorado)
155 Pounds: Isaac Barnes (Fight Fit Ready) vs. Andy Varela (10th Planet BJJ, Texas)
125 Pounds: Melody Nanez (FIT NHB) vs. Brianna Padilla (Judgement MMA)
150 Pounds: Nate Armstrong (ABQ BJJ) vs. Joe Cardoza (Extreme Jiu Jitsu, Texas)
155 Pounds: Victor Masayesva (Independent, NM) vs. Gerald Aldaco (J5 MMA)
125 Pounds: Patrick Salazar (Independent, NM) vs. Andy Salas (Get Fit Fight Gym, Texas)
145 Pounds: Carlo Rodriguez (Judgement MMA) vs. Gary Taylor (Independent, NM)
145 Pounds: Bruce Romero (ABQ BJJ) vs. Jeremy Alba (Get Fit Fight Gym, Texas)
* – Robert Herrera is the current King of the Cage Amateur Champion in the 135-pound weight class
