Combate Americas to Hold Event in Conjunction with Real Madrid-FC Barcelona Soccer Match

Combate Americas is partnering with Relevant Sports to produce “Combate Clasico,” a mixed martial arts event that will take place two days before global soccer powers Real Madrid and FC Barcelona meet in Miami on July 29.

The 10-bout Combate Americas card will be headlined by a showdown between Barcelona’s Abner Lloveras and Madrid’s Javier Fuentes on July 27. The event will air live in the United States on Azteca America and one day later via tape delay on TV Azteca in Mexico.

There could be more eyes on the MMA event because “El Clasico Miami” marks the first time Real Madrid and FC Barcelona have ever met in North America and the first time the two soccer clubs have played outside of Spain since 1982.

“Combate Clasico” is part of a week’s worth of festivities that includes a match between soccer clubs Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain as well as various other concerts, parties and interactive events.

“We are excited to be working with Relevent Sports and the International Champions Cup to bring the Combate Americas brand of electrifying, professional Hispanic MMA action to Miami,” said Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren.  “This promises to be a phenomenal week of live sports and music, culminating in a historic showdown between the world’s two biggest soccer powerhouses.”

Lloveras, 34, appeared on Season 22 of “The Ultimate Fighter” and lost to Chris Gruetzemacher via unanimous decision at the “TUF 22” finale. He owns a 20-9-1 career record and has finished six of his wins by KO/TKO and six via submission.

Fuentes, meanwhile, brings a 9-4 career mark into the matchup with Lloveras. He last appeared at M-1 Challenge 76, where he lost a unanimous decision to Khamzat Sakalov.