Are you not quite in to the grappling aspect of MMA but really enjoy the utilization of four ounce gloves? Well, former UFC co-founder Campbell McLaren might have what you're looking for. McLaren has formed a Hispani- based MMA sports and media franchise called Combate Americas which he described as a derivative of the Mexican and Puerto Rican style of boxing. Bloody Elbow's Eddie Mercado spoke with promotional pioneer Campbell McLaren ahead of his Combate Ocho event tomorrow in Los Angeles, California. The live stream of Combate Ocho can be seen on UFC Fight pass.
Interview: UFC co-founder Campbell McLaren on Combate Americas **AUDIO ONLY**
Campbell McLaren boasts to his promotional finish rate:
"81% of our fights are ending in finishes. By comparison, UFC is at about 50%. And some group name Waleator, Wellator, not Wellator, I never can remember their name, they're like 30% finishes. So if you watch the Combate Americas fights in action, you're going to see knockouts, TKO's, and tapouts. It's like four out of five fights end in a finish... I think there's a pride to this style of fighting that translates into MMA from boxing. Nobody comes to dance. Nobody comes to ride out the clock. As we say, no humping in la jaula (the cage)."
McLaren expands on the difference between his current promotion Combate Americas and his past venture, the UFC:
"Remember, the UFC is a style of fighting. It is not the definition of MMA. It is a style and I know that style because I help create it. College wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that's part of the genetic code of the UFC. The martial art of Combate Americas to a great extent is boxing. The UFC is essentially grapplers who have learn to punch. Combate is punchers who have worked on their grappling."
Check out Combate Americas' Combate Ocho tomorrow night streaming live at 9:00 P.M. EDT on UFC Fight Pass. The video of this interview can be seen at the top of the page. Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for all of your news, updates, and more!
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