Latin American mixed martial arts promotion Combate Americas has
elected to postpone its return due to the recent increase of
COVID-19 cases in Florida.
The organization
recently revealed plans for three shows — beginning on Aug. 28
— at a closed studio in Miami. It would have been Combate Americas
first event since its card on Feb. 28 in Fresno, California. Cards
on Sept. 11 and Sept. 25 in Miami were also postponed. Combate
Americas CEO Campbell McLaren announced the decision in a statement
to the Associated
Press.
“This is not a decision we took lightly, and is based entirely on
our focus to prioritize the safety of our employees, broadcast
partners, fighters and the broader MMA community,” McLaren said in
a statement. “We explored many alternatives to avoid this measure,
including the possibility of moving our in-studio fights to Los
Angeles. Unfortunately, the state of California is in a similarly
precarious situation with COVID outbreaks, and it seems untenable
to proceed without taking into consideration the health of those we
love.”
The UFC returned from a nearly two-month hiatus with a trio of
cards in Jacksonville in May, but Florida currently has more than
370,000 total COVID-19 cases and nearly 10,000 new cases since the
pandemic began, making it one of the most affected areas in the
country.
Combate Americas was one of the first major promotions to postpone
its events due to the pandemic. Combate Americas 60 on Aug. 28 was
expected to be headlined by a clash between Juan Puerta
and David Duran
for the promotion’s inaugural flyweight title.