There have been just three mixed martial arts events in Ohio so far this year, but it has been an eventful start to 2020 for the executives behind the companies in the state.
First, there has been a shakeup at the top for Akron-based Honor Fighting Championship, as matchmaker Scott Corbin is no longer working with the promotion.
The new matchmaker for Honor is Hector Mares Jr. Mares has an extensive amateur boxing background and also posted a 2-0 record in amateur MMA in bouts in 2016 and 2017. He’s also a purple belt in Renzoku jiu-jitsu.
Honor also has a new CEO, as Jose Burgos steps in to run the business side of the promotion. Burgos has been a familiar face at Honor events, including providing commentary and cornering many fighters for the promotion in the past. He also owns Common Ground Grappling Club in Nashville, Ohio.
Honor FC owner Jeremy Caudill will take a bit of a step back, although he’ll likely still be involved in the decision making for the promotion. Honor was slated to host their next event in Akron on March 14, but will instead push back to May 9th and hold the event in Millersburg.
As far as Corbin goes, he will now focus on his matchmaking duties for Caged Thunder, as well as helping out with matchmaking for BCM Promotions. BCM will host their eighth event this weekend in Mansfield this weekend. Caged Thunder 11 goes down on March 7 in Kent.
Longtime Ohio MMA matchmaker Nichole Castillo has also stayed busy, continuing her work with Bizzarro Promotions in Erie, Pennsylvania, as well as Made Men Promotions in West Virginia. Castillo is also part of the team at Ohio Combat League in Columbus now, helping out with their two events during Arnold Sports Festival weekend in Columbus that are shaping up to be some of the biggest of the year.