CFFC 129 set for Friday, February 9 at Philadelphia's 2300 Arena; tickets on sale now
Fatima Kline aims for double-champ status, faces Brazil's Andressa Romero live on UFC FIGHT PASS
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) launches the promotion's 2024 MMA schedule with a bit of history on the line, when the organization returns to Philadelphia's 2300 Arena for CFFC 129 on Friday, February 9.
Undefeated women's flyweight champion Fatima "The Archangel" Kline (5-0) faces Brazil's Andressa "Gauchinha" Romero (6-3-1) with the vacant CFFC strawweight title on the line. Should Kline prove victorious, she would become just the second double champion in CFFC history, joining perennial UFC contender Katlyn Chookagian, who in 2016 captured both the CFFC women's flyweight and bantamweight titles before making her octagon debut.
Additional featured matchups already confirmed for the card include Dylan "The Quiet Man" Mantello (7-3) vs. Nathan Williams (15-5) in a lightweight contest, Manny Morales (3-1) vs. Lindsey "Sweet Tea" Jones (5-2) and C.J. LaFragola (1-1) vs. Ernesto "The Assassin" Zarate (2-3) in key welterweight clashes, undefeated flyweight prospect Bilal Hasan (2-0) facing the more experienced Jacob Romero (4-1), former CFFC NextGen flyweight champion Nick Gebhard making his professional debut against Mardin Velasquez (0-1), and three-time CFFC veteran Adam Amado (1-2) returning to take on fellow featherweight Tom Hinz (pro debut)
Meanwhile, earlier action on the evening sees CFFC NextGen strawweight champion Taylor "The Warrior of God" Samarco (3-2) put her title on the line against an undefeated challenger in Leilani "The Tsunami" Hodgens (4-0). Additional NextGen matchups include Rufus Mitchell (2-1) vs. Ethan Mercado (2-0) at bantamweight, and CFFC and FURY Professional Grappling veteran Cameron Scalio (5-2) taking on undefeated newcomer Justin Meyers (3-0).
Tickets are on sale now at CFFC.tv. The night's main card streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS, with preliminary bouts streaming on OnlyFans.
"Fatima Kline made a spectacular debut in November, when she was expected to challenge for our strawweight title but accepted a late replacement opponent on fight week that included moving up a weight class in the process," CFFC CEO Rob Haydak said. "She was crowned a champion that night, took a match on our FURY Professional Grappling 8 event in December and was victorious there, too, and she made it clear she wanted to fight on our first event of 2024, as well. Now she'll move back down to her natural weight class and try to collect a second title, but she'll have to face a more experienced opponent in Andressa Romero, who jumped at the opportunity to come to Philadelphia from Brazil for her own chance at CFFC gold."
A full lineup of matchups at CFFC 129 will be announced shortly. WWE superstar and two-time UFC veteran CM Punk calls the action alongside award-winning MMA journalist John Morgan for UFC FIGHT PASS.
Stay tuned to CFFC.tv for future announcements regarding CFFC 129.
ABOUT CAGE FURY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Considered one of the best developmental mixed martial arts organizations in the world, 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, and include the company's flagship mixed martial arts events, as well as FURY Professional Grappling, CFFC Match Day & CFFC Muay Thai.
Founded in 2006, CFFC has served as home to a variety of combat sports stars, including Aljamain Sterling, Paul Felder, Sean Brady, Pat Sabatini, Katlyn Chookagian, Shane Burgos, Merab Dvalishvili, Anthony Smith, Jared Gordon, Kimbo Slice, Jimmie Rivera, Jim Miller and Nick Catone, 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. For inquiries regarding partnership/sponsorship opportunities please contact us at CFFC.tv.