After setting its main event last week, IT Fight Series 36 now has a full slate of professional bouts, with five on the slate for the event that is set to go down on September 26 in Lima, Ohio.
In addition to the main event featuring featherweight Antonio Castillo Jr. (8-4) taking on Steve Smith (7-9), the organization has also informed BluegrassMMA.com of four other pro bouts that are on tap for the evening.
At middleweight, Justin Sowers (2-3) will suqare off against Matt Anderson (1-5), lightweights Albert Cheng (5-3) and Reggie Merriweather (7-7) will throw down, welterweights Timmy McCavit (4-1) and Portland Pringle (6-4) have finally been cleared, and debut welterweights will square off as Chris Brooks (0-0, 5-2 am) takes on Lucas Ransbottom (0-0, 5-0 am).
After taking a three and a half year break from the sport, Sowers is 2-1 since returning last year. Both of those wins have come via submission in the first round, as he stopped both Michael Cockerham and Jeramy Karshner to move his record closer to .500. This will be his first time competing in Ohio since 2010.
Anderson comes in looking to snap a four-fight losing streak, as “Angerfist” has had a rough go of things recently. He last competed in August, when he was submitted by Davis Oracio Jr. in the first round.
The event will also feature a rematch of lightweights that first took place at IT Fight Series 34 in July, but the first time that Cheng and Merriweather squared off things didn’t end the way that anybody wanted them to. The bout was halted just over three minutes into the first round as Merriweather’s cup continued to fall to the mat every time the two fighters engaged. It was called a disqualification and a win for Cheng, but they will run it back to get a more satisfying result for one of the two fighters.
“TUF: China” and UFC veteran Cheng has won three straight under the IT banner since receiving his pink slip from the Octagon last year.
Merriweather had won three of four before the disqualification against Cheng, including a first round TKO over Matt Montalvo at Colosseum Combat XXXII in May.
After medical paperwork issues stopped their planned matchup twice, the bout featuring McCavit and Pringle has finally been cleared by the Ohio Athletic Commission. McCavit comes in looking to extend his four-fight winning streak, with all four coming via first round stoppage. Most recently, he earned a TKO over Caleb Fickert at IT Fight Series 30 in January.
After starting his career with a 6-1 mark, Pringle is on a three-fight skid and looks to rebound with an upset victory over McCavit.
The night’s fifth pro bout will feature debut welterweights, as Brooks and Ransbottom looks to start their respective careers with a 1-0 mark. Both fighters were impressive as amateurs. Brooks closed out his amateur run by winning the Pinnacle FC welterweight title with a second round submission over Malik Epperson in May. It was his third submission victory in five wins.
Ransbottom, meanwhile, will make a second attempt at making his pro debut, as he was already in the cage in May at IT Fight Series 33 when Matt Brown decided to pull out of their bout at the very last minute. With that behind him, he’ll look to continue his winning ways from his amateur days, where he went 5-0 with four submission wins.
Also on tap in the amateur ranks is a heavyweight bout that will feature IT Fight Series matchmaker and regular BluegrassMMA contributor Aaron Garrett (5-7) taking on Cody Kelley (3-1).
IT Fight Series 36 takes place at the UAW Hall in Lima and is expected to be streamed live via CageCaster.com and BluegrassMMA.com.
IT Fight Series 36 card
Pro Bouts:
Steve Smith vs Antonio Castillo Jr.
Justin Sowers vs Matt Anderson
Reggie Merriweather vs Albert Cheng
Timmy McCavit vs Portland Pringle
Chris Brooks vs Lucas Ransbottom
Amateur Bouts:
Aaron Garrett vs. Cody Kelley