Written by Robelis Despaigne | Photo via Karate Combat
Karate Combat will hold a one-night, 8-man heavyweight tournament to determine who will be the first to challenge two-division champion Sam Alvey. The grand prix will go down at Karate Combat 55 on July 18, the first leg of a doubleheader in Miami.
UFC veteran Robelis Despaigne, who scored three wild knockouts in a combined 24 seconds since joining the promotion, will face former GLORY light heavyweight champion Saulo Cavalari in the opening round.
The winner advances to the semifinal against whoever emerges victorious between longtime MMA heavyweight veterans Tim Johnson and Chase Sherman.
On the other side of the bracket, former BKFC champion Alan Belcher takes on fellow Karate Combat newcomer Zac Pauga, while Daniel James battles Braxton Smith for the fourth semifinal spot.
Karate Combat officials told MMA Fighting that the quarterfinal and semifinal matches will be contested in two three-minute rounds, adding a third round for the final. A sudden-death round will determine the winner in case of a draw.
The Friday event will be topped by Arturo Vergara vs. Adam Noi for the bantamweight title. On Saturday, Karate Combat 56 will have Shahzazib Ring and Luiz Rocha unifying the lightweight belts in the main event, while Alex Pereira’s sister Aline Pereira faces off with Fani Peloumpi for the flyweight championship in the co-headliner.
Check the updated lineups below.
Karate Combat 56
Shahzazib Ring vs. Luiz Rocha
Aline Pereira vs. Fani Peloumpi
Luan Santiago vs. Zach Juusola
Anvar Boynazarov vs. Daniel Lacerda
Alexander Krutskykh vs. Shokruhk Kholmuradov
Karate Combat 57
Arturo Vergara vs. Adam Noi
Daniel James vs. Braxton Smith
Alan Belcher vs. Zac Pauga
Tim Johnson vs. Chase Sherman
Robelis Despaigne vs. Saulo Cavalari