The Latinas of Combate Global set for world domination

Expectations in women’s MMA are higher than ever and the Latinas of Combate Global are taking those expectations and smashing them. The sheer hunger these athletes show and the ferocity in which they execute their game-plans is unrivalled in any promotion, which is why today, well be looking at some of Combate’s killer Latinas and their feats inside the cage!

Combate Global CEO & UFC co-creator Campbell McLaren is always glowing with praise for his Latinas: ”Combate’s most exciting division is the women’s 115 pound division — they are all killers”. A statement that proves true with fans after the success of Combate’s historic all female event ”Combate: Latinas” which pulled the most viewers for an all female MMA event in history.

Ranging from World Muay Thai Champions, boxers and even professional wrestlers these are the Latinas of Combate Global.

Claudia Diaz

Claudia Diaz is a former WMC World Champion back in 2019 and trains at the world renowned Tiger Muay Thai facility in Phuket, Thailand. The Argentinian-Spanish fighter competed in ONE Championship’s Warrior Series before taking a two year break and joining the Combate Global family. Diaz made her promotional debut at the end of April and to say she impressed would be an understatement!

Facing Dulce ‘Sexy Star’ Garcia, Diaz was able use Muay Thai expertise to control the distance and land the heavier shots. Garcia’s constant pressure caused problems throughout for the Muay Thai World Champion, but a failed takedown gave Diaz the advantage to rain down strikes from top position causing the referee to wave off the contest. One explosive performance in and Combate fans are craving for more action, luckily they won’t be disappointed as Claudia Diaz returns to the Combate Global cage June 25th, with an opponent set to be announced soon.

Yasmine Jauregui

Unbeaten in her professional career so far, 22 year old Yasmine Jauregui is one of the hottest talents at 115lbs in women’s MMA. Excelling on the feet and on the ground, Jauregui caused waves through the MMA community when she made light work of opponent Benni Fuentes in her professional MMA debut. Jauregui quickly caught the attention of Combate Global and signed with the promotion to fight Daniela Espinosa at Combate 36. As promotional debuts go, Yasmine Jauregui could not have wished for a better one. Defeating her opponent in just 13 seconds of the first round by knockout!

She impressed again only two months later as she faced off against McKenna Mitchell and put on a striking clinic causing the ringside doctor to stop the fight in between rounds two and three. Only three months later, Yasmine Jauregui was back in action at Combate 44 against her toughest opponent to date Yaijara Romo. After a back and forth war Jauregui would eventually end up having her hand raised in victory! Her most previous bout was in Mexican promotion UWC where she dismantled her opponent in the very first round causing the fight to be stopped by the doctor at the end of round one. Luckily fans will get to see Yasmine Jauregui June 18th, so mark the date down in your calendars for guaranteed fireworks!

Lucero “La Loba” Acosta

Training under Team United MMA, Lucero Acosta wowed audiences at Combate 36 when she got a surprising TKO finish in her Amateur debut. ”La Loba” would go on to make her pro-MMA debut only six months later defeating Valerie Quintero via unanimous decision at Combate 46.

Acosta would get caught out with a rear-naked choke in her second bout with the promotion only to return in 2021 and put the world on notice with a brutal victory over Allysen Breeden! Despite starting off strong, keeping Acosta on the back foot and throwing heavy strikes in volume, ”La Loba” lands a nice jab-cross combination before unloading on her opponent with fierce tenacity!

The roar of victory echoed throughout the Univision studios and come July 2nd, ”La Loba” will roar again as she steps back in the Combate Global cage. Who would you like to see Lucero Acosta face in her return?

Criszaida Adames

Ranked at #19 in the United States women’s pound-for-pound rankings, New Jersey’s Criszaida Adames should be on every MMA fans watch list. Going 4-0 as an amateur Adames was hailed as one to watch as she started her professional MMA career and watch they did as she cruised to a second round KO. Only a month later from her successful debut, she was in the Combate cage showcasing her talents in a fantastic unanimous decision victory over Alma Cespedes.

Unfortunately her next fight on Combate against Desiree Yanez was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Adames however was given the opportunity to fight on UFC Fight Pass with the promotion CFFC and yet again, put on a show submitting Claudia Baril by rear-naked choke! With hype rapidly building around Adamaes, Combate gave her the well deserved headlining spot on their history making all-female card back in April and as expected, she did not disappoint.

Facing one of her toughest challenges yet in the form of Karen Cedillo, Criszaida battled to a decision victory in what was a fight of the night performance from both athletes. We’re yet to hear of a return date for Criszaida Adames with her competing so recently, leaving fans to ponder which one of the Latinas she will return to face.

Caroline Gallardo

Chile’s own Caroline ”Taz” Gallardo has more heart than most making her a formidable foe for anyone of the Latinas on the Combate Global roster! Despite losing her first two fights in her pro-MMA career, Gallardo bounced back emphatically, going on a three fight finishing streak which cemented her place within the promotion. However her first test in the Combate cage would not be an easy venture as she would face the undefeated Melissa Martinez.

Both fighters looked good in the opening round, making it a hard call for the judges to pick a clear winner. Early in the second however, a failed takedown attempt allowed Martinez to capitalise and win the fight via a nasty knee to the head with follow up punches. ”Taz” would not be disheartened by this, in fact she would grow because of it putting on a phenomenal display only seven months later against Corina Herrera, defeating her by Unanimous decision.

Dulce Garcia

From professional wrestling to boxing and finally mixed martial arts, Dulce ‘Sexy Star’ Garcia has done it all! After a phenomenal pro-wrestling career, Garcia decided to leave her luchadora mask behind and throw herself into the world of combat sports. Firstly she tackled boxing and in just over a year went on an impressive unbeaten run of 5-0 before declaring her desire to compete in MMA.

After negotiating a deal with Combate Global back in February 2019, Garcia was quick to make her pro-MMA debut only two months later in May against Mariana Ruiz Avila, which ‘Sexy Star’ went on to win via unanimous decision. Returning to the cage on the highly anticipated Combate 51: Tito vs Alberto card, she impressed once again dominating and submitting Anali Lopez in the first round of their contest. Unfortunately, she tasted defeat when she faced Claudia Diaz with a failed takedown sealing her own fate, but her performances within the Combate Global cage speak for themselves and fans can expect to see ‘Sexy Star’ in another battle very soon!

You simply cannot deny the level of talent Combate possess in the 115lb division and after speaking with Combate’s Senior Vice President of Communications and Operations Mike Afromowitz, fans can feel more reassured than ever that the promotion won’t be slowing down in terms of building their 115lb division: “We are building the most exciting 115 pound division in the world and, by the end of the year, I predict we will have it.”

A strong prediction and one that is certainly not out of reach as Combate Global regularly rank the second highest viewed MMA promotion in North America, ahead of Bellator, ONE and PFL. With a difficult 2020 behind us, audiences are excited for what 2021 may bring. Another Latinas event? One night tournament? Nothing would be come as a surprise!