Combate Americas lands deal to air on UFC Fight Pass
A mixed-martial arts promotion geared toward Hispanic fighters and fans in the United States has signed a deal to air events on UFC Fight Pass.
Combate Americas launches in English on UFC Fight pass on April 18.
Combate Americas founder Campbell McLaren helped launch the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993 and returns to the leading MMA promotion's family with the multi-year deal.
McLaren hopes a partnership with UFC would benefit both promotions.
"I think of the UFC sort of as my child," McLaren said. "I saw they weren't connecting in a real meaningful way with this fight fan base. What's Combate Americas? It's Fighting Americas. Plural."
Combate Americas launched in 2012.
The April 18th card will mark the third event in the "Road To The Championship" series, which started Sept. 17, 2015, in Las Vegas. The series pits competitors in each weight class in a tournament format to see who will be crowned the first Combate Americas Champion.
Combate Americas cards also contain performances from Latino musical acts.
"MMA fans can expect tremendous fights featuring up-and-coming Hispanic talent," UFC Chief Content Officer Marshall Zelaznik said.
UFC Fight Pass is available in 178 countries and territories, featuring live fights, archives and other events.
"We're not going after guys that the UFC has let go," McLaren said, taking a not-so-veiled shot at Bellator. "I'm not going after guys that were in the UFC I created 23 years ago."
