CFFC 147 preview: Returning Kevin Pease, newcomer Ethan Pauley square off for vacant welterweight belt

Additionally, fan favorite Will Rentz and Alius Delarosa meet meet in rescheduled matchup at Friday's event, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Tampa's Florida State Fairgrounds

TAMPA, Florida – Cage Fury Fighting Championships returns to "The Sunshine State" on Friday, where the CFFC welterweight title vacated when former champ Eric Nolan signed with the UFC will be up for grabs in the evening's headliner at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

The CFFC 147 main event sees undefeated contender Kevin Pease face fellow grappling standout Ethan Pauley with the undisputed 170-pound title on the line. Meanwhile, the co-main event sees a rescheduled meeting between fan-favorite slugger Will Rentz and undefeated prospect Alius Delarosa.

The CFFC 147 main card streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS, while prelims stream at OnlyFans.com/cffcmma. Limited tickets remain at CFFC.tv.

MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS, 9 p.m. ET)

• Kevin Pease vs. Ethan Pauley – for vacant welterweight title

• Alius Delarosa vs. Will Rentz

• Levan Khabalaev vs. Elvin Romero

• Daniel Morrison vs. Hugh Pulley

• Christian Carr vs. Tommy Laipply

• Lucas Cortes vs. Bill Lewis

PRELIMINARY CARD (OnlyFans, 7 p.m. ET)

• Ovidio Bojorquez vs. Brandon Lopez

• Alessio Ksouri vs. Austin Tadlock

• Devon Dixon vs. Daniel Matos

• Christian Esquilin vs. Michael Pino

• Alejandro Gutierrez vs. Matt Hammerstone

MAIN EVENT: Kevin Pease vs. Ethan Pauley

Just one year ago, Kevin "Sweet Peas" Pease (6-0 MMA, 4-0 CFFC) was on the verge of a CFFC title shot, having rattled off four straight wins for the organization. The only reason he didn't get that shot? The Professional Fighters League came calling.

Pease competed for the promotion in August 2204, scoring a decision win over fellow CFFC vet Nick Meck, but a return invite never materialized, leaving his next move uncertain. When CFFC officials came calling with a chance to finally compete for gold, Pease immediately accepted, looking to complete the journey he began in 2022 on the way to his ultimate goal, the UFC.

Of course, Ethan Pauley (7-1 MMA, 0-0 CFFC) might have something to say about that.

The Michigan native is a submission threat, earning tapouts in six of his seven professional victories. He's also riding an impressive four-fight win streak – including three already in 2025, alone – catapulting him into the biggest opportunity of his career to date.

Both men have hopes of reaching the sport's highest level and know that CFFC gold can do a lot to assist in that journey. Pease might have the more recognized pedigree, but he's also returning from 14 months without competing, a stretch in which Pauley has entered the cage six times. Something's got to give.

CO-MAIN EVENT: Alius Delarosa vs. Will Rentz

Undefeated lightweight newcomer Alius Delarosa (3-0 MMA, 0-0 CFFC) had to wait a little bit longer than originally expected but will now look to make an immediate impact in his rescheduled promotional debut, as he takes on all-action fan favorite "Iron" Will Rentz (5-2 MMA, 5-2 CFFC).

A four-time Idaho state champion wrestler in high school, Delarosa is undefeated through the first seven combined contests of his MMA career as a professional and amateur, including six finishes. However, in his UFC FIGHT PASS debut – which was originally expected to take place at July's CFFC 144 before Rentz withdrew from the matchup just hours before the contest – he'll now take on the most experienced opponent of his career to date.

Meanwhile, Rentz is a mainstay of CFFC's visits to Florida, competing for the entirety of his professional career under the promotion's banner. He currently stands at 4-1 in his past five appearances, with all four wins earned by knockout, and he'll undoubtedly have a vocal crowd in support for what should be a thrilling matchup.

Levan Khabalaev vs. Elvin Romero

Put simply, the featured lightweight matchup between Levan Khabalaev (3-0 MMA, 0-0 CFFC) and Elvin Romero (4-0 MMA, 0-0 CFFC) isn't expected to last very long, as in seven combined professional victories between them, neither man has fought beyond the opening round

Originally hailing from Russia, Khabalaev now lives in New York and trains under the great Ray Longo. With two knockouts and one submission, the 26-year-old has shown great promise but has struggled to compete consistently. With 20 months since he last fought, Khabalaev is hoping a win in his CFFC debut can start him again moving in the right direction.

Meanwhile, Romero is a 25-year-old athlete hailing from Virginia's MMA Institute and has registered all four of his professional wins via knockout, including two under the Anthony Pettis FC banner. Interestingly, all four of those wins were earned in the past 19 months, meaning Romero hadn't even made his professional debut the last time Khabalaev stepped in the cage.

It's a matchup of two explosive prospects, and fireworks are all but guaranteed.

Daniel Morrison vs. Hugh Pulley

A pair of CFFC veterans collide in an intriguing welterweight matchup, as Hugh "The Preacher" Pulley (10-8 MMA, 2-5 CFFC) faces Daniel Morrison (6-2 MMA, 1-0 CFFC).

Pulley is a former CFFC title challenger but struggled in his most recent outings, coming up short in decision results against top contender Perry Stargel and Blayne Richards. However, with continued work with the crew at the Gracie Tampa South, he's aiming to get back in the win column.

Meanwhile, Morrison debuted for the organization in 2022, scoring a second-round submission win. Since that time, he's gone 4-1 in five appearances on Florida's regional scene, with the lone loss coming to recent PFL entrant J.P. Saint Louis, and Morrison now aims to make an impact in his return to CFFC.

Christian Carr vs. Tommy Laipply

A pair of featherweights will look to shine in the biggest opportunity of their careers, when Christian "Strictly Business" Carr (3-2 MMA, 0-0 CFFC) meets Tommy Laipply (2-2 MMA, 1-1 CFFC)

Carr opened his professional run in 2022 with a pair of submission wins. However, he's struggled more recently with a pair of decision losses in a 1-2 stretch. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has taken a year off since that time and is now anxious to step back into the cage and show off his improvements.

Meanwhile, Laipply started his career in the exact opposite fashion, losing his first two contests, including one under the CFFC banner. However, after similarly taking some time away, the Gracie PAC fighter has since bounced back with a pair of victories, including a submission at July's CFFC 144, and he'll look to keep that streak going.

Lucas Cortes vs. Bill Lewis

The night's main card kicks off at middleweight, as the returning Lucas "Ugi" Cortes (2-0 MMA, 1-0 CFFC) takes on first-time pro "Bobblehead" Bill Lewis (Pro debut).

Cortes is an American Top Team athlete who earlier this year returned from three years away from competition and was victorious in just 44 seconds in the CFFC cage. He'll look to show that performance was no fluke in his return.

However, standing in his way is Lewis, who had an impressive amateur career at 6-1 and with his lone loss coming at CFFC 130 to top contender Busurman Zhumagul. The Florida native was expected to compete in July at CFFC's first NextGen event in New Jersey but was forced to withdraw from the matchup and will instead make his professional debut on UFC FIGHT PASS.

Ovidio Bojorquez vs. Brandon Lopez

The final prelim of the night takes place at a catchweight of 180 pounds, as Puerto Rico's Brandon Lopez (9-6) takes on Mexico's Ovidio Bojorquez (6-4).

Lopez is a seven-time CFFC veteran who has experienced a real career turnaround, gong 5-1 in his past six appearances dating back to 2022. Meanwhile, Bojorquez makes his CFFC debut on the strength of a July win tjat snapped a two-fight skid. Prior to his CFFC debut, the 26-year-old has made previous stops at LFA, Anthony Pettis FC and Combate Global.

Alessio Ksouri vs. Austin Tadlock

Young bantamweights collide when Italy's Alessio Ksouri (1-0) returns to take on promotional newcomer Austin "The Technician" Tadlock (Pro debut).

Training with American Top Team, Ksouri made his professional debut in March and taking home a hard-fought split-decision win that was declared the evening's "Fight of the Night." He now takes on Mississippi's Tadlock, who wrapped up a 10-fight amateur career with back-to-back wins and now makes his professional debut.

Devon Dixon vs. Daniel Matos

Experienced veterans meet at a catchweight of 160 pounds when Devon Dixon (7-3-1) faces Daniel "The Android" Matos (6-4).

A Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu rep, Dixon makes his CFFC debut looking to snap a frustrating two-fight skid and return to the form that saw him start his professional career at 7-1-1, with five finishes. Opposing him is Matos, a Gracie Tampa South fighter who is an impressive 5-1 in his past six appearances after opening his pro run at a rather unimpressive 1-3 and is hoping to keep his momentum going strong.

Christian Esquilin vs. Michael Pino

Promising featherweight prospects collide early in the night when the 25-year-old Christian Esquilin (2-0) faces the 23-year-old Michael Pino (2-1).

Esquilin has opened his professional career with two stoppage wins after wrapping up an undefeated amateur run and now makes his CFFC debut. He faces Pino, who was expected to face Darwin Pena in August before illness forced the former CFFC NextGen champ out of the matchup.

Alejandro Gutierrez vs. Matt Hammerstone

The night kicks off at bantamweight as Alejandro "Hondo" Gutierrez (3-1) faces Matt "The Hammer" Hammerstone (2-1).

Hailing from New Mexico, Gutierrez has earned all three of his career wins via first-round stoppage and now makes his CFFC debut. He faces a dangerous Hammerstone, who suffered a decision loss in his professional debut but has since bounced back with two stoppage wins under the CFFC banner, and he'll now look to make it three in a row.