A1 Combat to UFC connection in full effect

When it comes to MMA in California, there is no promotion doing it quite the way Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat is. Led by Owner Tom Anderson, A1 Combat has become the best regional professional MMA promotion not only in the Golden State but in all the U.S. in many opinions.  As part of the UFC Fight Pass family, A1 Combat events reach the masses worldwide while highlighting some of the best up and coming talent that there is.

The Central Valley is proud to call A1 Combat their own, with A1 Combat now hosting shows in the area at least three to four times a year. Giving fighters a platform like no other to showcase their skills. A1 Combat is based in the State Capitol, Sacramento and has sent their share of fighters to the big show. If one of the biggest issues as a promotion, is that the UFC keeps signing your champions. Is that really even a issue at all? Maybe for the A1 Combat matchmakers but that is right where you want to be as a regional MMA promotion.

Following the announcement of some of this season’s competitors for Dana White’s Contender Series. A1 Combat will have now sent two former champions the UFC’s way, through the weekly television series. Where regional and international fighters not directly signed with the promotion, get their opportunity to earn a contract fighting in front of the UFC Boss at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Leading the way in the A1 Combat to UFC connection is Reno Academy of Combat’s Payton Talbott. Undefeated as amateur and a pro so far, with a record of 9-0. Talbott is the former A1 Combat Bantamweight Champion, who had won three fights straight with the promotion. He then received the call to compete in Dana White’s Contender Series in August of 2023. Talbott won his fight by unanimous decision and earned a contract with the UFC. He is currently on a three fight win streak, last stopping his opponent in :19 seconds of round one at UFC 303. The personality along with his skill has him quickly establishing himself as a new star in the UFC.

Up next, Stockton’s undefeated (8-0) Ernie “Young Titan” Juarez. He is the current A1 Combat Featherweight Champion on a five fight win streak at A1 Combat. It was announced that Juarez would be competing on Dana White’s Contender Series on Tuesday August 13th, 2024, versus (8-0) Icaro Brito.

Also scheduled to compete at Dana White’s Contender Series is Sacramento’s undefeated (7-0) Jack Duffy. Duffy’s last two fights have been under the A1 Combat banner, last picking up a win at A1 Combat 17 in January, Duffy will now head to Las Vegas to take on (7-0) Jose Ochoa on Tuesday August 27^th, 2024.

(5-1) Billy Brand out of Sacramento will also be making his way to the UFC Apex. Brand is on a three fight win streak at A1 Combat, and will compete on the August 20th edition of DWCS versus (6-1) Cody Haddon.

These bouts will take place live on ESPN+ starting at 5pm PT on Tuesdays with week 1 beginning on August 13^th 2024. The show will run through October, and we never know who might be called up before this season is over. I’m sure current A1 Combat champion Christian “Land Shark” Avalos would be chomping at the bits for an opportunity to test himself in the DWCS waters. For now, we will have to tune in to see what A1 Combat’s Ernie Juarez, Jack Duffy, and Billy Brand do with their opportunities in the next level.

For more info on Dana White’s Contender Series visit www.ufc.com/dwcs

A1 Combat’s next event is on Saturday July 20^th 2024 when A1 Combat 22 goes down from the Hard Rock Live in Wheatland, Ca. Tickets are available now at www.eventbrite.com/e/urijah-fabers-a1-combat-22-tickets-932041590487

A1 Combat returns to the Central Valley on Friday, July 26^th 2024 with A1 Combat 23 from the Tachi Palace Casino Resort in Lemoore, Ca. Tickets are available now at www.eventbrite.com/e/urijah-fabers-a1-combat-23-tachi-palace-tickets-913679478917

Check out A1 Combat at www.a1combat.com Also follow them on IG@ www.instagram.com/a1_combat

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By: Daniel “Big Trip” Quintana – www.noweakshitever.com