Promoter Denies Rumors Of Show’s Cancellation
By Brian Knapp
Cage Fury Fighting Championships promoter Felix Martinez dispelled rumors today that his promotion had cancelled CFFC 6 “Unleashing The Fury” Friday, Oct. 12 at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, N.J.
“The show has not been cancelled,” Martinez said.
Martinez believes rumors of the event’s demise coincide with the news that CFFC’s deal with iNDEMAND Pay-Per-View had fallen through recently. The show will instead be carried live on the Web, according to Martinez.
“We just lost the iNDEMAND deal,” Martinez said. “I can’t get into [specifics], but we had an investor who backed out.”
CFFC 6 will be headlined by a heavyweight grudge match between famed street fighter Kimbo Slice and veteran brawler David “Tank” Abbott. Slice does not yet have an official MMA fight under his belt, though he submitted former boxer Ray Mercer in an exhibition match at a CFFC show in June. Abbott (9-13), meanwhile, has won just once in the last nine years.
The show will also mark the return of Ricardo Almeida, as he collides with Dennis Hallman – the only man to hold two victories over former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes. Almeida, one of Renzo Gracie’s most accomplished students, has not fought since defeating Ryo Chonan at PRIDE “Bushido 3” more than three years ago. In addition, CFFC 6 will serve as the staging point for the MMA debut of legendary kickboxer Duke Roufus.
Martinez believes the absence of a PPV deal will ultimately work to his promotion’s benefit, both from a financial standpoint and in regards to viewership.
“It’s expensive to be on pay-per-view; it’s going to cut cost,” Martinez said. “I got so many complaints about pay-per-view. A lot more fans will get to see it live now.”
CFFC 6 “Unleashing The Fury”
Friday, Oct. 12
Trump Taj Mahal
Atlantic City, N.J.
Kimbo Slice vs. David “Tank” Abbott
Ricardo Almeida vs. Dennis Hallman
Marcio “Pe De Pano” Cruz vs. John Marsh
Derek Panza vs. Duke Roufus
NABC Lightweight Championship: Jim Miller vs. Clay French*
Brian Gehraghty vs. Chris Ligouri
Eric Henry vs. Gregor Gracie
Jose Rodriguez vs. Mike Littlefield
Warren Kekebah vs. Nick Catone
Randy Durant vs. Tom Poe
* Pending medical clearance
