Cage Fury Fighting Championships returns to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa Thursday, July 20
Tickets On Sale Now for CFFC 122, Featuring Two Championship Matchups
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) returns to Florida, at the luxurious Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa for the "CFFC 122: Gunnison vs. Watley " on Thursday, July 20, 7 p.m ET.
A pair of title fights are slotted for the evening's featured bouts, with reigning lightweight champion Cedric "The Gunman" Gunnison (6-1) seeking the first defense of his title when he takes on the returning Rob "Contact" Watley (12-3), while top prospects Shamel Findley (6-1-1) and Badmatsyren "Immortal Lotus" Dorzhiev (7-0) meet with a vacant flyweight title up for grabs.
Tickets are on sale now. They are priced starting at $60 and will be available via Ticketmaster or seminolehardrocktampa.com.
The event streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS.
"The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has been absolutely electric each and every time our athletes have set foot in the venue, and this card will be no different," CFFC CEO Rob Haydak said. "Florida is home to not only some of the best athletes in MMA, but also some of the most passionate fans, as well, and we'll continue our history of bringing the sport's next superstars for a night of non-stop action. Like our previous events here, CFFC 122 will sell out, so we encourage everyone to secure their tickets as soon as possible."
Gunnison claimed the CFFC interim lightweight title in his most recent appearance, claiming a hard-fought split-decision win over former champ Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov at CFFC 117. Gunnison was then promoted to undisputed status when previous titleholder Blake Smith signed with Bellator MMA. "The Gunman" now takes on Watley, who returns to the promotion for the first time since 2015, when he went 2-0 in the CFFC cage, including a decision win over current UFC featherweight Pat Sabatini.
Findley is currently enjoying a six-fight winning streak, a run that includes CFFC stoppage wins over Will Spann and former champion Santo Curatolo. Meanwhile, the undefeated Dorzhiev makes his promotional debut following previous appearances in Belarus, Mongolia and Russia, notching three victories by knockout thus far in his career. The winner claims the flyweight title that was vacated when Makoto Takahashi signed a contract to compete for Bellator MMA's inaugural flyweight title against fellow Japanese superstar Kyoji Horiguchi.
Also expected to compete at CFFC 122 are former CFFC title challenger Hugh "The Preacher" Pulley (9-6), undefeated flyweight prospect Max "The Candyman" Quinones (3-0) and four-time CFFC veteran Brandon Lopez (6-5), as well as "Iron" Will Rentz (2-1), Jesus Hernandez (2-1), Morquez "Black Clover" Forest (1-0), Isaiah Sackey El (2-0) and more.
A full lineup of matchups for CFFC 122 will be announced shortly. All Elite Wrestling superstar and two-time UFC veteran CM Punk calls the action alongside MixedMartialArts.com editor-in-chief John Morgan for UFC FIGHT PASS.
Stay tuned to CFFC.tv for future announcements regarding CFFC 122.
ABOUT CAGE FURY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Considered one of the best developmental mixed martial arts organizations in the industry, Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) hosts events across the United States with an emphasis on cultivating the best and brightest talent in the sport. CFFC events are broadcast live on UFC FIGHT PASS, the leading digital subscription service for fight fans.
Founded in 2006, CFFC has served as home to a variety of UFC stars, including Anthony Smith, Jimmie Rivera, Aljamain Sterling, Kimbo Slice, Paul Felder, Jim Miller, Nick Catone, Lyman Good, Katlyn Chookagian, Shane Burgos and Jared Gordon, among others. Led by its respected CEO Rob Haydak, CFFC’s executive team consists of sports and entertainment industry executives who have worked for some of the most prestigious brands in the world.
ABOUT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO TAMPA:
Owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is one of the largest and most successful casinos in the world offering award-winning gaming, hospitality, and entertainment. The casino offers nearly 5,000 of the hottest slot machines, 179 table games, a state-of-the-art Poker Room featuring 46 tables and a smoke-free Mezzanine Level Casino. The 800-room hotel is AAA Four Diamond rated and proudly offers 12 restaurants, including upscale dining venues Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, The Rez Grill, and Cipresso. Amenities include the 1,500-seat Hard Rock Event Center, which hosts some of the nation's hottest entertainers and must-see concerts; a 60,000-square-foot pool deck area with three pools and 19 cabanas; as well as the luxurious Rock Spa® & Salon. The resort is located off I-4 at North Orient Road and Hillsborough Avenue, about 10 minutes east of downtown Tampa. For more information, please call 866-502-PLAY or visit us online and via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT HARD ROCK®:
Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in over 70 countries spanning 290 locations that include owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops®, Live Performance Venues and Cafes. HRI also launched a joint venture named Hard Rock Digital in 2020, an online sportsbook, retail sportsbook and internet gaming platform. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia at more than 87,000 pieces, which are displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock Hotels has been honored by J.D. Power’s North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Study as the number one brand in Outstanding Guest Satisfaction for two consecutive years, and among the top Upper Upscale Hotels for four consecutive years. HRI became the first privately-owned gaming company designated a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal in 2021, and has since been honored threefold. Hard Rock was also honored by Forbes among the World’s Best Employers, as well as Best Employers for Women, Diversity and New Grads and a Top Large Employer in the Travel & Leisure, Gaming, and Entertainment Industry. In the 2022 Global Gaming Awards, Hard Rock was named Land-Based Operator of the Year for the second time in four years. In 2021, Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos received first place ranking in the Casino Gaming Executive Satisfaction Survey conducted by Bristol Associates Inc. and Spectrum Gaming Group for six of the last seven years. Hard Rock International currently holds investment grades from primary investment rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB) and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.
