Combate Americas to Promote ‘Combate Clasico’ Around Real Madrid-Barcelona Rivalry

“El Clasico” isn't just about soccer any more.

Sherdog.com has learned that Combate Americas is set to announce “Combate Clasico,” an MMA event co-promoted with Relevant Sports, a firm specializing in building soccer's presence in the United States and promoting international football matches. Sources close to the promotion confirmed the news on Monday.

The event, which take place on July 27 at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center in Miami, Florida, is part of a week-long series of sporting events, concerts and parties, culminating with “El Clasico Miami” on July 29 at Hard Rock Stadium, where rival Spanish soccer powerhouses Real Madrid and FC Barcelona will face off. It is the first meeting between the two clubs outside of Spain since 1982, and their first ever match-up in North America.

“Combate Clasico” is scheduled to air live on ESPN3 and via the ESPN app. In Latin America, the broadcast will air live on ESPN. Dovetailing with the “El Clasico” theme, the event line-up will not only focus on Spanish talent, but pit fighters representing Barcelona against their counterparts from Madrid.

In the main event, Barcelona's Tommy Aaron will face Madrid's Javier Fuentes at 160 pounds, while the evening's co-feature pits Kyra Batara against Vanessa Rico Fernandes in an atomweight affair. Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Chris Avila, a training partner of Nick and Nate Diaz, will also be in action, taking on Ricardo Palacios at 145 pounds.