Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
COMBATE GLOBAL RE-SIGNS MEXICAN LIGHTWEIGHT MMA STAR CRISTIAN “PUAS” PÉREZ TO NEW, EXCLUSIVE, MULTI-FIGHT DEAL
MIAMI – August 15, 2023 – COMBATE GLOBAL has re-signed lightweight (155 pounds) Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sensation, Cristian “Puas” Pérez (12-1), to a new, exclusive, multi-fight promotional agreement.
The 23-year-old Pérez, who boasts a 75 percent finish rate, is expected to return to action in La Jaula in October sometime
“We are extremely proud of the way Cristian Pérez has developed as an MMA athlete since his professional debut and are excited to see him continue his career with COMBATE GLOBAL,” said Mike Afromowitz, Sr. Vice President of Operations and Communications.
Pérez is one of COMBATE GLOBAL’s top homegrown stars, who has been competing exclusively for the company since he made his professional debut at 19 years of age on February 8, 2019.
On April 23, 2021, Pérez produced his quickest victory to date, submitting Geraldo Almonte with a heel hook in just 29 seconds.
Pérez’s only loss, thus far, came on November 12, 2021 in the championship stage of a one-night, eight-man tournament, after he had already defeated two previous opponents – fellow Mexican Alfrego “Slayer” Ruelas via first round (2:49) TKO (punches) and Irish battler Patrick “The Leech” Lehane via unanimous decision.
An understandably exhausted Pérez faced off with U.S. star Enrique “Baby Bull” Gonzalez for the finish place finish in the tournament. The two went the three-round distance of the fight before Gonzalez was awarded a unanimous decision.
Since the tournament effort, Pérez has reeled off four consecutive wins, the last three of which he produced by way of (T)KO or submission.
In his last start on June 18, Pérez toppled former COMBATE GLOBAL World Featherweight (145 pounds) Champion, Bruno “Aquiles” Cannetti via first round (1:26) TKO (punches).
Additional information about Combate Global and its athletes can be found on www.CombateGlobal.com as well as on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
###
About Combate Global
Combate Global is the premier Hispanic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sports franchise that is rapidly becoming the number two sport after soccer for Spanish speaking fans worldwide, and that consistently garners television ratings that are superior to those of other major, longer established sports television properties. It is the only MMA property regularly airing on broadcast television in the U.S. (Univision) and the only MMA property owned, in part, by a major Hispanic media company, as a result of TelevisaUnivision purchasing a significant equity stake in Combate Global in 2021. In 2021, the company also partnered with CBS Sports to distribute Combate Global’s live shows in English in the U.S. on Paramount+. In 2022, the company partnered with Eurosport for live distribution in Spain, as well as with RMC Sport in France and, in 2023, Combate Global entered into a multi-year partnership with global entertainment powerhouse, IMG, for media rights representation worldwide. The company’s programming is available in over 70 countries in Europe, Africa and elsewhere globally.
Nielsen research indicates that an astounding 91 percent of Combate Global viewers in the U.S. are not regular viewers of other MMA content, demonstrating that Combate Global has garnered a new MMA audience with its World Cup-style, country vs. country-style competition.
Combate Global CEO Campbell McLaren, also the co-founder and creator of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has been described by New York Magazine as "the marketing genius behind the UFC,” while Yahoo Sports has said he "knows more about the sport than just about anyone in it today." Under his direction, the growth of Combate Americas’ television footprint and worldwide audience triggered a re-branding in 2021 to Combate
