Explosive Fight Promotions is already putting together its first card for 2016, as Caged Madness 40 is set to go down on Jan. 16 at the Tadmor Shrine in Akron, Ohio.
Matchmaker Scott Corbin has already signed 11 bouts for the event, and he says he’s not finished yet.
Highlighting the current list is a pro heavyweight bout featuring Jason Riley (10-7) vs. Jeff Hughes (4-0).
Riley, a Strikeforce veteran, returned to action earlier this year after a layoff of nearly three years, and he stopped Tim Dunn with a TKO due to leg kicks at IT Fight Series 33. Riley has faced some heavy hitters in his career, including former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia and current UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier. The 35-year-old plans to stay active in his career, as he was slated to compete at the canceled Turf Wars 28 event in October and is also slated to compete at IT Fight Series 39 later this month.
Evolve MMA’s Hughes put together a solid 2015 campaign after turning pro last fall, as he went 3-0 this year with two first round TKO finishes. Most recently, he earned a hard fought decision victory over Curt Lemmon at RFO: Big Guns 16 in August.
Another fight slated for the card is a pro lightweight battle featuring Devonte Smith (1-0) vs. Mike Wiseman (1-1).
Smith returns to action after pasting John Mosley with a Pro KO of the Year candiadate at Caged Madness 38 in September.
Smith posted on Facebook after the annoucement of the fight: “Jan 16th in akron ohio he bout to get this work come support your local fighter and watch #thesehands work.”
Wiseman returns after a hiatus of two and a half years, as he is set to compete for the first time since dropping a split decision to Johnson Jajout at Pinnacle FC 3 in 2013.
On the amateur side, two title fights have been lined up, as Nikolai Gionti (4-0) and Billy Windrum (7-0) will square off for the flyweight title, while Kenny Locsei (4-0) battles Zak Trout (4-0) for the lightweight title.
Gionti is coming off of an Amateur Submission of the Year nominee performance in his last bout, as he tapped Dante Penacchio with a D’arce choke at Caged Madness 38 in September. Three of his four wins have been via submission.
“Well, time to annouce it,” Gionti posted on Facebook. “Contract signed…thank you for setting this up and allowing me the opportunity to compete Scott Corbin.”
New York’s Windrum has earned five stoppages in his career, including a first round TKO over Alex Poinar at RFO: Big Guns 15 in March.
Don’t expect Windrum to do any trash talking, as the belt collector had this to say on Facebook: “Talk is cheap. Actions will always speak louder.”
Strong Style’s Locsei has been impressive, earning three stoppages in four wins, including a first round submission over Laurence Wilder at RFO: Big Guns 17 in October.
Triple Threat MMA’s Trout has also earned three stoppages, including a rear naked choke over Joshua Barbee at Caged Madness 33 in January.
Caged Madness 40 card
Pro Bouts:
Jeff Hughes vs Jason Riley
Devonte Smith vs Mike Wiseman
Amateur Bouts:
Nikolai Gionti vs Billy Windrum – for flyweight title
Kenny Locsei vs Zak Trout – for lightweight title
James Pfeiffer vs Sean Felton
Kayla Potts vs Raven Morgan
Aleksa Camur vs Travis Davis
Nic Lute vs Sam Daviduk
Eddy Faison vs James Neff
Shawn Rall vs Jack Young
Jamaal McClain vs Scot Lake
*card subject to change