Miami, Florida – The much-awaited Karate Combat 39 has successfully concluded, and what an event it was. An evening that held the promise of adrenaline-filled clashes, with the lightweight title on the line, did not disappoint.
In the main event, reigning champion, Luiz Rocha, successfully defended his belt against Bruno “The Tiger” Souza. The all-Brazilian fight headlined the night, bringing Rocha’s impressive career record to 9-2. This was Rocha’s first title defense since winning the belt, despite having already competed as champion when he defeated welterweight champion Joshua Quayhagen in a Superfight at Karate Combat 35.
Souza, the protege of former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, put up an impressive fight. Despite his initial shift from MMA to Karate Combat, his performance showed grit and tenacity, continuing the legacy from his victory over Bruno Assis in the Battle of the Brunos at KC 38. Despite the unanimous decision in favor of Rocha, Souza demonstrated why he was a worthy contender for the title.
The co-main event featured striking legend Raymond Daniels against former UFC talent, Sasha Palatnikov. The bout promised an exciting clash, and it delivered. Daniels took the victory by unanimous decision, showcasing his wealth of experience against the younger Palatnikov.
Elsewhere on the card, Shahzaib Rindh clinched a unanimous decision victory over Tommy Azouz, while Antonio Arroyo triumphed over Cody Jerabek by TKO in round 2. Gabriel Stankunas, Alberto Ramirez, Elijah Everill, Ana Luiza Da Silva, Zakaria BenBouchta, and Will Esparza also registered wins in their respective bouts.
An MMA touch was added to the event, as legends Georges St. Pierre and Bas Rutten delivered commentary on the electrifying fights. Their professional insights and spirited narrations heightened the experience of the event.
Karate Combat 39 showcased the talent, skill, and diversity of the athletes, their dedication to the sport, and their relentless pursuit of victory. Fans worldwide enjoyed the event for free, thanks to streaming platforms like Bloody Elbow, and Karate Combat’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.
The event illustrated the growth and popularity of Karate Combat, its unique appeal, and its potential to shape the future of combat sports. This Miami event has undoubtedly set a high bar for future Karate Combat events. The world eagerly awaits Karate Combat 40.
Results:
Luiz Rocha def. Bruno Souza by unanimous decision: Lightweight Title
Raymond Daniels def. Sasha Palatnikov by unanimous decision: Middleweight
Shahzaib Rindh def. Tommy Azouz by unanimous decision: Lightweight
Antonio Arroyo def. Cody Jerabek by TKO in round 2: Heavyweight.
Gabriel Stankunas def. Ignacio Capllonch by unanimous decision: Welterweight
Alberto Ramirez def. Maciej Tercjak by unanimous decision: Lightweight
Elijah Everill def. Rahul Bhowmick by KO at :49 in round 1: Lightweight
Ana Luiza Da Silva def. Nathalia Dinis by KO in round 1: (W) Flyweight
Zakaria BenBouchta def. Adam Rosa Ramos by unanimous decision: Heavyweight
Will Esparza def. Jonathan Broad by split decision: Welterweight