One of Ohio’s longest running and most successful organizations returns this weekend, as the NAAFS hosts Combat Challenge 28 at Chapparell’s Community Center in Akron, Ohio. The 14-fight amateur card features many notables, including a former NCAA All-American wrestler in the headliner.
In the night’s main event, a pair of unbeaten heavyweights will square off as former NCAA All-American JD Ramsey (3-0) takes on Strong Style Fight Team’s Jon English (4-0).
Ramsey, who trains with UFC veteran Branden Hinkle, is coming off of an impressive decision victory over the highly respected Nick Stuff at RFO: Big Guns 13 in May. The 25-year-old wrestler will receive another stiff test in English. Originally from Kentucky, English relocated to Ohio in 2013. His most recent victory came at NAAFS: Caged Vengeance 13 in March 2013, when he stopped Jordan Beverly via knockout. Three of his four victories have come via strikes.
The co-main event features a pair of up-and-coming middleweights, as unbeaten Evolve MMA product Devon Kelleher (2-0) takes on Triple Threat MMA’s Steve Stocker (3-1).
Kelleher has been impressive in his first two outings, first stopping Brandon Jackman via TKO in just 25 seconds in his debut and then submitting veteran Rickie Foster via rear naked choke in his last outing at NAAFS: Combat Challenge 27 in April. Just 19 years old, Stocker has earned two stoppage victories in his short career. Most recently, he stopped Joshua Barbee via TKO in the third round of their bout at Caged Madness 27 in January.
Another notable on the card includes Evolve MMA’s Devonte Smith (5-2), who looks for his third victory this year and fourth straight overall. Smith will take on West Virginia’s Darryl Davis (5-3) in a lightweight bout.
The rest of the card is largely a blank slate, featuring a whopping 13 debut fighters.
The full lineup, which is subject to change:
265 lbs – Corry Boyd (0-2) vs Josh Hampton (0-0)
155 lbs – John Mumaw (0-2) vs Chris Hahn (0-3)
170 lbs – Jacob Gabriel (0-0) vs Dylan Finegan (0-0)
170 lbs –Damoane Hawkins (1-1) vs Dornes Butler (0-0)
135 lbs – Jonathan Hudson (0-0) vs Jason Alexander (2-0)
210 lbs – Ed Howard (0-0) vs Aleksa Camur (0-0)
170 lbs (over 35) – Jerimey Harper (0-0) vs Toby Bouska (0-0)
185 lbs – Brandon Parker (0-0) vs Tom Finegan (0-0)
155 lbs – Darryl Davis (5-3) vs Devonte Smith (5-2)
155 lbs – Joe White (0-0) vs Kasey Smith (0-0)
155 lbs – Jeffrey Pelton (2-1) vs Anthony Monteleone (2-1)
170 lbs – David Shim (1-1) vs Will Johnson (1-1)
185 lbs – Steve Stocker (3-1) vs Devon Kelleher (2-0)
265 lbs – JD Ramsey (3-0) vs Jon English (4-0)