Champ Joey Milano draws new opponent in Damien Blotzke at CFFC 149; James Lledo vs. Kayne Caplinger takes featured prelim spot
NextGen title bouts receive elevated status at loaded event on December 20 in Atlantic City
Reigning NextGen champion Joey Milano will have a new opponent at CFFC 149, as promotional newcomer Damien "The Kid" Blotzke has agreed to step in on just one week's notice to challenge for a belt.
The two now square off on Saturday, December 20, at New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
Milano's original opponent, Sam Van Wynen, was forced to withdraw from the contest in order to tend to a family matter. Blotzke now makes his promotional debut with gold on the line at 190 pounds, deemed the cruiserweight division under New Jersey State Athletic Control Board regulations.
Blotzke said he didn't hesitate when given the offer from CFFC matchmaker James Lyons.
"I'm ready," Blotzke said without pause. "Let's go. I'm ready all the time. I was training when I got the call."
Similarly, champ Milano (6-1) had advised Lyons the name of any potential opponent didn't matter, he just wanted to fight. Now he will, and Blotzke (4-1) thinks the two are going to potentially steal the show.
"I think it's going to be a good fight," Blotzke said. "I think because it's short notice, it's going to be an even better fight. I think short notice fights tend to be bangers."
Hailing from Nevada, Blotzke saw action most recently one month ago, taking home a knockout win in a middleweight championship bout under the King of the Cage banner. All five of Blotzke's appearances to date have taken place in his hometown of Reno, and he now travels across the country for the biggest fight of his career.
Meanwhile, Milano returns to work for the first time since claiming the 190-pound title in October and seeks the first defense of his title.
In additional NextGen news at CFFC 149, Milano's Algeo MMA and Kickboxing teammate, James "Las Vegas" Lledo (8-1), seeks his third title under the CFFC banner, taking on Kayne Caplinger (3-1) at 168 pounds (super middleweight in New Jersey) in a previously announced matchup. That contest has now officially been placed as the featured preliminary bout of the evening following a petition from CFFC execs to NJSACB officials.
"We are focused on building the next stars in mixed martial arts, beginning from their NextGen days right up until they get the call from the UFC, and if we can help shine a brighter spotlight on these athletes along the way, we're going to do it," CFFC CEO Rob Haydak said. "While our NextGen athletes typically open the night's action, James Lledo's historical opportunity here coupled with Kayne Caplinger's highly anticipated debut meant these two athletes deserved to close out this absolutely stacked preliminary card."
The CFFC 149 prelims stream live on OnlyFans.com/cffcmma, while the main card will stream exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS.
Lledo is already 3-0 under the CFFC banner, capturing and defending a title at 175 pounds (light heavyweight in New Jersey) before also earning a belt at the traditional welterweight limit of 170 pounds at November's CFFC 148 event in Philadelphia. He now seeks an incredible third CFFC title belt, a feat never before accomplished in the promotion.
Meanwhile, Caplinger looks to spoil the party in his CFFC debut. The Pennsylvania native earned the opportunity on the strength of his current three-fight win streak, with all three victories earned by knockout. Caplinger had planned appearances in August and October fall through and now returns to the cage for the first time since June.
The complete CFFC 149 lineup includes:
MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS, 8 p.m. ET)
Champ Ryan Cafaro vs. Justin Patton – for featherweight title
Champ Bilal Hasan vs. Renaldy Manse - for flyweight title
Champ Emily Martins vs. Alexa Conners – for women's bantamweight title
Champ Chris Brown vs. Guram Gochashvili – for middleweight title
Bobby Lee vs. Richie Lewis
Derek Benoit vs. Nick Galanti
PRELIMINARY CARD (OnlyFans, 6 p.m. ET)
NextGen: Champ James Lledo vs. Kayne Caplinger – for inaugural 168-pound title
Cornellius Aritonang vs. Christian Bobe
Karli Jo Thomas vs. Paige Wilcox
NextGen: Joey Milano vs. Damien Blotzke – for 190-pound title
Safar Akhmadov vs. Jerry Lleshi
David Bergida vs. Egor Kostyuchenko
Alius Delarosa vs. Justin Meyers
