Former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez will lock horns with HDNet Fights and Art of War veteran Justin Howard in a featured bout at King of Kombat 7 “Judgment Day” on Saturday at the Austin Music Hall in Austin, Texas.

Rodriguez has won seven of his last nine fights, including a rear-naked choke submission victory against John Brown at a Reality Combat show in July. The 32-year-old has not been finished since succumbing to strikes against Tim Sylvia at UFC 41 in February 2003. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling world champion, Rodriguez has struggled with weight and substance abuse issues throughout his career. He has delivered more than half (21) of his 36 career wins by submission and holds victories against UFC hall of famer Randy Couture, former UFC heavyweight titleholder Andrei Arlovski and American Top Team’s Jeff Monson.

Howard, meanwhile, has posted three wins in four fights, losing only to the unbeaten Darrill Schoonover in that span. A 2007 decision victory against International Fight League veteran Matt Thompson anchors his resume.

King of Kombat 7 will also feature a title bout, as Dustin Neace squares off with Nick Gonzalez for the KOK featherweight championship.

King of Kombat 7 “Judgment Day”
Saturday, Aug. 29
Austin Music Hall
Austin, Texas

KOK Featherweight Championship
Dustin Neace vs. Nick Gonzalez

Ricco Rodriguez vs. Justin Howard
Cedric Marks vs. Eric DaVila
Warren Stuart vs. Deuce King
Lane Yarborough vs. Adam Schindler
Chris Trammel vs. Charles Byrd
Randy Vera vs. Jesus Rivera
Jacob Austin vs. Navied Sadeghi
Matthew Cox vs. Aaron Suarez
Davis Sylvester vs. Ryan Benoit