Visa problems have forced a late change to this weekend’s Combat8 event with Brazilian fighters Thomas Almeida and Allen Nascimento being forced off the card.
Replacing the fighters on the card will be two-time Californian junior college wrestling champion Charlie Alaniz and Tiger Muay-Thai & MMA student Ben Nguyen whom also hails from USA. Alaniz pops straight into the main event and will face The Ultimate Fighter “TUF Smashes” participant Richie “Vas” Vaculik (pictured) while Nguyen will come up against Kian Pham on the under-card.
It must be noted that Combat8 bouts are contested under modified rules, with includes only 30-seconds ground work per round.
Based out of Kimekai in Melbourne, Alaniz has been impressive in his fights locally most recently knocking out Jarrett Owen with a slam at XFC 18. For Vaculik it will be his first fight since his appearance on the “TUF Smashes” reality show. The fight will be contested for the currently vacant C8 Bantamweight Title.
Originally from South Dakota, USA, Ben Nguyen is coming off a second-round TKO stoppage over Grego Penaloza earlier this month on the Roshambo 1 card while his opponent Pham will be looking at getting his career back on track with a win.
As previously announced, the event will also feature a C8 Heavyweight Title between Ben Edwards and Donnie Lester while Jai Bradney will look to defend his C8 Lightweight Title against Wes Capper.
Also on the card, K-1 veteran Peter Graham matches up against up-and-coming youngster Tai Tuivasa, while Ben Wall and Bernardo “Trekko” Magalhaes will clash at lightweight. Professional boxer Junior Talipeau will make his Combat8 debut when he faces MMA veteran Jon Leven.
C8 Bantamweight Title:
- Richie Vaculik vs Charlie Alaniz
C8 Heavyweight Title:
- Ben Edwards vs Donnie Lester
C8 Lightweight Title:
- Jai Bradney vs Wes Capper
Undercard:
- Peter Graham vs Tai Tuivasa
- Jon Leven vs Junior Talipeau
- Ben Wall vs Bernardo Magalhaes
- Robert Lisita vs Hugh Cameron
- Eilleen Forrest vs Jessy Rose
- Kian Pham vs Ben Nguyen
- Felise Leniu vs Brandon Sosoli
