Cage Fury Fighting Championships returns to Florida State Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 21
New bantamweight champion to be crowned in headliner of "CFFC 135: Ruquet vs. Shaykhaev"
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) officials will crown a new bantamweight titleholder when the organization returns to Tampa's Florida State Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 21, for "CFFC 135: Ruquet vs. Shaykhaev."
The night's main event features a pair of highly touted promotional newcomers vying for the vacant 135-pound crown, as Carlson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and Silverback Fight Team rep Joey "El Cazador" Ruquet (9-4) takes on undefeated Russian contender Khusein "Shy" Shaikhaev (12-0) with the title on the line.
Featured matchups already confirmed for the card include a heavyweight contender bout between the undefeated Cameron Kinzig (4-0) and Brazilian slugger Vitor "Vitao" Resende (4-1), as well as a pair of key welterweight contests with the red-hot Kendly "The Highlander" St. Louis (9-4) facing former CFFC title challenger Collin Lubberts (6-3) and promotional newcomer Perry Stargel (9-6) against another former CFFC title challenger in Hugh "The Preacher" Pulley (10-7)
Additional athletes currently booked for CFFC 135 include lightweights Brandon "The Gladiator" Gaitor (5-5) vs. Daniel "The Android" Matos (5-4) and bantamweights Rueben "GameSeven" Beard (Pro debut) vs. Matt "The Hammer" Hammerstone (0-1), while Tampa's own Brandon Lopez (9-6) and former CFFC lightweight champion Blake Smith (8-4) are each expected to appear against opponents to be named shortly.
Tickets are on sale now at CFFC.tv.
The CFFC 135 main card streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS, with preliminary bouts streaming exclusively on OnlyFans.
"After an action-packed and historic event in Tampa in July, we're incredibly excited to be able to announce another blockbuster lineup for our return to the Florida State Fairgrounds," CFFC CEO Rob Haydak said. "We've got two hungry contenders in our main event, with Joey Ruquet and Khusein Shaikhaev each looking to claim our vacant bantamweight title – the same belt that helped launch the careers of former UFC champ Aljamain Sterling, longtime veteran Jimmie Rivera, and current World MMA Awards nominee Da'Mon Blackshear, among others – but that's just the headliner.
"This card once again features some of the absolute best up-and-coming talent from not just Florida, but across the nation, as well, and it is sure to be another fast-paced night of entertainment and the best event production in developmental MMA."
An incredibly well-rounded martial artist, Ruquet enters the CFFC 135 main event following back-to-back wins under the Combate Global banner, as well as a first-round TKO victory for Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA. Fighting professionally since 2015, the 32-year-old "El Cazador" also boasts training in boxing, kickboxing, muay Thai, catch wrestling and taekwondo.
Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Shaykhaev competes in the United States for the first time. "Shy" owns a perfect 12-0 mark compiled under the Absolute Championship Akhmat banner and the promotion's predecessor, Absolute Championship Berkut, while competing in his native Russia, as well as Kazakhstan, Poland, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. Those 12 total wins include two knockouts and five submissions.
A complete lineup for CFFC 135 will be announced shortly. WWE superstar and two-time UFC veteran CM Punk calls the action alongside longtime MMA journalist and broadcaster John Morgan for UFC FIGHT PASS.
Stay tuned to CFFC.tv for future announcements regarding CFFC 135.
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.