Hispanic MMA promotion Combate Americas hosts Combate: Hidalgo at the Payne Arena in Hidalgo, Texas on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 9 p.m. ET live on DAZN, with prelims streamed live on Facebook. The main event features one of the most intriguing fights of 2019 as Tito Ortiz battles Alberto “El Patrón” Rodriguez.
Ortiz (20-12-1) has had one of the biggest impacts on the history of the sport of any UFC light heavyweight. The former UFC champion has won four of his last five fights, including his most recent bout, a late first round knockout victory over Chuck Liddell last November, avenging two prior losses. El Patrón (9-5) is most famous for his professional wrestling career, but he has competed against the likes of Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic back in Pride. He has won six of his last seven bouts, but has not fought professionally in over nine years, most recently losing to Mamoru Yamamoto in a regional Spain contest in February of 2010.
Here’s what MMA Oddsmaker Nick Kalikas had to say about the bout:
“The most interesting fight ever put together in Combate Americas history, pitting two mainstream personalities in their own respective realms against each other. Tito Ortiz is and will always be one of the biggest names in combat sports history, with a mixed martial arts career spanning 22 years. As far as MMA experience and real fight experience, there’s no question who has the advantage. Tito Ortiz has faced nothing but quality, high level UFC caliber opponents. El Patron’s history dates back to the Pride days, but he’s only faced a few high level competitors in his career and he’s never been as serious about his MMA career as Ortiz because he was focused on his professional wrestling career, where he rose to world class status in Mexico and in the WWE. From a technical fighting standpoint, Ortiz is by far the better, more accomplished fighter, but you can’t count out El Patron’s athleticism, work ethic and his desire to win. El Patron is taking this fight very seriously and we’ve seen professional wrestlers have success crossing over to MMA with the likes of Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley, Jake Hager and more. That being said, despite Ortiz being 44 years old, he’s racked up victories in four of his last five contests against high level competition. As far as the match-up goes, I think El Patron has to knock Ortiz out to win this fight because I think Ortiz is the superior wrestler, grappler and striker. Ortiz should have the ability to finish this fight both standing and on the canvas. This fight comes down to a puncher’s chance for El Patron, but I still expect him to come into this fight looking to shock the world.”
Kalikas sent out his opening betting lines for the Combate: Hidalgo main event moments ago:
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Combate Americas: Tito vs Alberto
Payne Arena – Hidalgo, Texas
TV Broadcast – Live on PPV
12-7-2019 – 10PM EST
Main Event Catchweight 210 lbs
Alberto El Patrón Rodriguez (+435)
Tito Ortiz (-705)
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CLICK BELOW TO BET ON COMBATE AMERICAS: ORTIZ VS. ALBERTO
