Mexico Takes Centre Stage As Romero Faces Ayala Sept. 30 On Combate Global

Combate Global today announced a complete, five-bout card for its Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event streaming live on Paramount+ from Miami, Fla. on Friday, Sept. 30. In the featherweight (145 pounds) main event, Roberto “El Charro Negro” Romero (5-2-1) will take on fellow Mexican combatant Daniel Ayala (3-2).
 
Fighting out of famed trainer Colin Oyama’s camp in Irvine, Calif., the 22-year-old Romero who hails from Chihuahua, Chih., Mexico has been on fire of late, earning 2021 “Fight of the Year” honors for his epic, see-saw battle with Zed Montanez last October 22.
 
Romero became a front-runner to win the same award in 2022 as a result of his three-round war with previously undefeated American star Ivan Tena on August 18, taking a split decision victory from Tena. Ayala of Mexico City is a former boxer turned ground fighting specialist known for his submission game.   
In a women’s 120-pound catchweight co-main event, Combate Global star Caroline “Taz” Gallardo (7-4) will face off with Danielle “Dynamite” Taylor (11-7).
 
The 26-year-old Gallardo of Santiago, Chile fights out of coach Mike Valle’s Team Valle Flow Striking (VFS) in Chicago, Ill., and will look to notch her fourth consecutive win after scoring a second round (2:39) TKO (punches) on France’s Stephanie Page on May 13.
 
Gallardo will face a steep  challenge in Palmdale, Calif.’s 32-year-old Taylor, whose long resume includes victories over Jessica Penne, Seo Hee Ham, Montserrat Ruiz and Jessica Aguilar. 
 
In a featured bantamweight (135 pounds) bout, Arturo “El Makako” Vergara (5-2) of Los Andes, Chile via Miami will take on Luis “Rey” Gallegos (7-5) of Monterrey, N.L., Mexico.
 
The preliminary bout card will be highlighted by the return of unbeaten rising star Georgie “Lionheart” Medina (2-0) of Chicago.  Medina will do battle with another undefeated standout in Thad “The Silverback” Jean (3-0) of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
 
The show will kick off with a featherweight matchup between undefeated Carlos Calderon (3-0) of Denver, Colo. and Carlos Cordoba (1-3) of San Jose, Costa Rica.

Paramount+ coverage will begin with a Combate Global pre-show at 10:30 p.m. ET/9:30 p.m. CT, and will continue with the live fight action, beginning at 11:00 p.m. ET/10:00 p.m. CT.