Karate Combat will host an eight-person heavyweight tournament for one night, which will decide who will first challenge two division champion Sam Albey. The Grand Prix will drop in Karate Battle 55 on July 18th, the first war of Miami’s doubleheader.
UFC veteran Robelis Despaigne has won three wild knockouts in a total of 24 seconds since joining the promotion, and will face former Glory Light Heavyweight Champion Sauro Cavalari in the opening round.
The winner will advance to the semi-finals against those who win between longtime MMA heavyweight veterans Tim Johnson and Chase Sherman.
On the other side of the bracket, former BKFC champion Alan Belcher faces fellow karate combat rookie Zach Pauga, while Daniel James fights Braxton Smith for the fourth semi-final.
Karate combat officials told MMA Fighting that the quarter-final and semi-final matches will be contested in two three rounds, adding a third round to the final. A sudden death round determines the winner in the case of a draw.
Friday’s event will be headed by Arturo Vergara vs. Adam Noi with the Bantamweight title. On Saturday, Karate Combat 56 will feature Shazajibling and Luis Rocha unifying the lightweight belts in the main event, with Alex Pereira’s sister Aline Pereira facing the Faniperou Mpi for the co-headliner flyweight championship.
Check out the updated lineup below.
Karate Battle 56
Karate Battle 57
- Arturo Vergara vs. Adam Noi
- Daniel James vs. Braxton Smith
- Alan Belcher vs. Zach Pauger
- Tim Johnson vs Chase Sherman
- Robelis Despaigne vs. Horseman Hall