Colosseum Combat returns to its home base in Kokomo, Indiana this weekend, as Colosseum Combat XXXIII features a 12-bout lineup, including James Porter (7-3) vs. Jeremy Pender (10-11) in the headliner.
The Indiana native Porter returns to the cage for the first time since last May, when he suffered a first round TKO loss to current UFC fighter Cody Garbrandt at Pinnacle FC 7. Prior to that, he dropped a bout to another current UFC fighter, as Sergio Pettis tapped him at a NAFC event in 2013. Five of his seven wins have come via submission, including notable victories over Josh Killion and Carson Gainey.
The Cincinnati native Pender is looking to snap out of a three-fight losing streak, as he has dropped a trio of bouts since picking up wins over James Douglas and Raymond Yanez last year. The winner of this bout will become the promotion’s No. 1 contender at 135 pounds.
The co-headliner features the return of “Ultimate Fighter” veteran Daniel Head (11-10), as he takes on Pierce Overton (2-2) in a welterweight bout.
Head has had a rough go of things since appearing on TUF 12, as he is just 2-8 in his past 10 bouts. Many of those bouts have been for Colosseum Combat, including his last six in a row. Most recently, he was submitted by Tyler Combs at Colosseum Combat XXXI in February after defeating Ryan McIntosh at Colosseum Combat XXX last year.
Overton has had a short pro career, as just four fights into his career his longest fight was 1:39. Most recently, he was knocked out by Ryan Gosnell in just 62 seconds at Colosseum Combat XXXII in May.
Also slated for the event is a highly anticipated matchup featuring a pair of talented undefeated fighters, as Kentucky’s Nathan Maness (5-0) faces Michael Ricketts (4-0).
Maness is undefeated in his MMA career and was one most highly decorated amateurs around. He has made waves as a professional with wins over Isaiah Ferguson and most recently handing Kodey Gulley his first professional loss. Maness has two stoppages as a professional and has shown he can go the distance with nine career decision wins.
The 23 year old Ricketts comes into the affair with four straight submission wins on his pro resume. He most recently defeated Charles Stanford at Hardrock MMA 74 earlier this year. Ricketts hasn’t lost a fight since 2011 and has shown that he is a top prospect in the midwest.
The night’s other two pro bouts feature Christopher Burchfield (0-1) vs. Christopher Blevins (0-1) and Tyson Triplett (7-12) vs. Jordan Mitchell (3-5).
Colosseum Combat XXXIII takes place on October 10th at the National Guard Armory in Kokomo, Indiana. You can see the full card below.
Official Colosseum Combat XXXIII card
Pro Bouts:
James Porter vs Jeremy Pender
Daniel Head vs Pierce Overton
Joseph Maness vs Michael Ricketts
Christopher Blevins vs Christopher Burchfield
Jordan Mitchell vs Tyson Triplett, Sr.
Amateur Bouts:
Kyle VanCamp vs Patrick Ruby
Damion Swoke vs KarDaniel Dunn
Keair ross vs Miguel Calixto
Riley Markusfeld vs Benjamin Deleon
Gabriel Parnell vs Andre Henriques
Alex Holofchak vs Casey Schile
Elliott Blair vs Scott Liggett