Beau Samaniego bringing 'violence' to CFFC 137 in hopes of following in teammate Jose Perez's footsteps
The Gilbert Grappling rep hopes to claim vacant featherweight gold at Friday's event in Philadelphia.
For the first time since former Cage Fury Fighting Championships featherweight titleholder Jose Perez left the organization for the PFL in 2023, the promotion's vacant featherweight belt is on the line at Friday's CFFC 137. In the most fitting of fashions, Perez's longtime teammate Beau Samaniego steps in to fight for gold against Serra-Longo Fight Team prodigy Anthony Dilemme in an extremely high-level main event.
Having been at the top of the CFFC featherweight division for a while now, Samaniego is more than ready for his shot at the belt, as the division has been in a bit of a standstill due to some fight cancellations and matchmaking difficulties. Luckily, CFFC fans will finally get some resolution on Friday.
Although having never fought for a CFFC title before, Samaniego is no stranger to the company's featherweight belt. Training every day with former CFFC featherweight champion Perez has set Samaniego up for this title fight, essentially calling it destiny. Not only did Perez campaign for Samaniego to get the next title shot at a recent PFL press conference, but Perez will also be making the trip to Philadelphia to be in his teammate's corner.
"Jose definitely gave me the blessing," Samaniego said. "I want him to wrap the belt around me after. It's like a lineage now. The featherweight belt is just like the G2 belt at this point."
With both Perez and Samaniego hailing from Gilbert Grappling in Illinois, aka G2 Training Center, it is very important for Samaniego to bring the CFFC title back to their gym where it has found a home since Perez first claimed the belt in 2022. Although not considered to be a mega gym like some others across the country, Samaniego is determined to follow in Perez's footsteps to further solidify a lasting legacy for G2 in the world of MMA.
"We're doing the heavy lifting over there," Samaniego explained. "We're making the fights happen and fighting the guys that guys don't want to fight. It's only a matter of time until we get that recognition. That's going to happen from guys like Jose and me making it to UFC, PFL, and these other big organizations."
Going up against an undefeated Dilemme (6-0 MMA, 5-0 CFFC) is not an easy fight, but Samaniego (6-1 MMA, 3-1 CFFC) believes the work he has put in at G2 alongside Perez will have him more than prepared for the task at hand. There are levels to this game, as the old saying goes, and Samaniego believes he is measures above Dilemme.
"He's got some good knockouts and stuff; I've seen that, but I don't take too much into that," Samaniego said. "He ain't knocking me out. I'm just a little bit better everywhere. Little bit better in the standup. Little bit better in the grappling. It's going to make for an exciting fight. Eventually it's going to start going my way, and I have way more heart than him, so I'm going to show that.
"Violence," Samaniego continued. "There's going to be malice in my punches, unlike his."
Dilemme would be the biggest win of Samaniego's career thus far, adding plenty of stock to his already impressive resume. To top off a great performance by claiming Perez's former belt for G2 once again would just be the extra cherry on top. With a seven-fight win streak and a professional title potentially on the horizon, Samaniego believes his next stop after a big championsship win will be the UFC. Even though Samaniego would enjoy fighting alongside Perez in the same promotion again, he does not believe that time is now.
"The PFL's more Jose's route right now," Samaniego says. "That's what's working for him. I'm sure he could still go to the UFC. The UFC's always been my dream, my goal, so for me it's UFC or nothing. I'm not going to stop until I achieve it."
Although Perez left some big shoes for Samaniego to fill, the 28-year-old is both honored and motivated to become G2's "next man up." A blueprint to success was seemingly put in place by Perez, and with lots of hard training, Samaniego believes he is up for the challenge. With an impressive victory, a title defense might not be needed before Samaniego gets the ever elusive UFC call.
"Dana White, if you sign a deal with me, I'm coming," declares Samaniego. "That's it. If it's short notice, I'm a company guy. Just call me, and I'm coming. I don't care who it is. I don't care how short notice it is, I'm always in shape, and I'm always ready to go."
Watch the action unfold on Friday at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia or streaming live on UFC FIGHT PASS.
