Combate Global | David Martinez vs Frans Mlambo confirmed for 135lb title clash, May 29

Combate Global today announced the highly-anticipated world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship showdown between reigning Combate Global world champion David “The Black Spartan” Martinez (6-1) and 2021 “COPA COMBATE” one-night, eight-man tournament winner Frans “The Zulu Irishman” Mlambo (13-5) for Sunday, May 29 in Miami, Fla.
 
Combate Global will announce media distribution details for the event at a later date.
 
“Mexico and Ireland have historically produced some of the toughest fighters in combat sports, and that is what we have with this championship fight between David Martinez and Frans Mlambo – a fight between two of Combate’s strongest and most relentless competitors,“ said, Combate Global CEO Campbell McLaren. 
 
The 23-year-old Martinez of Mexico City, Mexico turned in a masterful performance exactly one year ago from the date of the upcoming title fight, defeating three consecutive opponents in one night to become the Combate Global world bantamweight champion.

Above:  David Martinez (right) scored a technical knockout (TKO) on Francisco “Cisco” Rivera, Jr. (left) last May 29 in the championship stage of the Combate Global one-night, eight-man bantamweight tournament, to earn the world title.

Following his first round (1:50) TKO (punches) of Alex “Coyote” Gonzalez in the quarterfinal stage of the tournament, Martinez, a member of Mexico City’s Bonebreakers team, notched a unanimous decision over Alan “Beche” Cantu, and scored a thunderous, second round (0:17) TKO (head kick and punches) on Francisco “Cisco” Rivera, Jr. in the semifinal and championship stages of the tournament, respectively.
 
Mlambo, a protégé of famed trainer John Kavanagh, will turn 31 years of age a week before the title bout.  He is a native of South Africa who immigrated to Ireland with his family at age 11. 
 
Like Martinez, Mlambo arrives at this juncture after defeating three opponents in one night in Combate Global tournament action to extend his win streak to five consecutive fights.
 
Mlambo’s tournament victory took place at the organization’s largest annual event –  “COPA COMBATE” – last December 12, where the Irishman defeated Jose Zarauz of Peru, Cristian Barraza of Chile and Kevin Cordero of Spain, respectively, to win the tournament’s $100,000 grand prize.
 
Additional bouts for the event on May 29 will be announced at a later date.