Cage Fury Fighting Championships returns to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Friday, July 17
Featherweight title on the line in CFFC 157 main event with Christian Bobe vs. Abdysamat Malakanov
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) officials are thrilled to announce the organization's return to the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk, where the incredible Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will play host to "CFFC 157: Bobe vs. Malakanov" on Friday, July 17.
With former CFFC featherweight champion Ryan Cafaro now competing overseas with Japan's Rizin FF, the vacant belt will be up for grabs in the night's main event, as Marquez MMA standout Christian Bobe (4-1 MMA, 4-1 CFFC) takes on Kyrgyzstan's Abdysamat Malakanov (4-1 MMA, 0-0 CFFC).
Additional matchups already confirmed the card include lightweights Will "The Slim Reaper" Breslin (5-1) vs. David Bergida (5-2-1), welterweights Manny Morales (7-2) vs. Sarek "Berserker" Shields (8-3), featherweights Tyler Berger (3-1) vs. Christian "Strictly Business" Carr (5-2), strawweights Lateesha Potoka (2-2) vs. Paige Wilcox (1-1) and bantamweights Abraham Charles (2-1) vs. Tayvonne "The Tasmanian Devil" Thomas (2-0).
The NextGen division will also be in action, as reigning 190-pound champion Joey Milano (7-1) puts his title on the line against Jesse Pastore (6-2), and Ethen Mercado (6-3) and Trig Tennant (6-1) meet in a 147-pound matchup.
Additional matchups for CFFC 157 will be announced shortly.
"It's been incredible to witness the success of Ryan Cafaro since earning the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream and compete in Japan, and now two more athletes are looking to claim that vacant title and their own invitation to MMA's top international promotions," CFFC CEO Rob Haydak said. "Christian Bobe has worked hard to be in this position, with an incredible 12 appearances under the CFFC, CFFC NextGen and CFFC BJJ banners. Now, he's facing an incredibly dangerous Abdysamat Malakanov, who has been working with Team Alpha Male and now steps up for the biggest opportunity of his career.
"But as always, it's not just the main event. We've got another stacked lineup of the sport's top rising talent, and it promises to be another fast-paced, high-energy night of non-stop entertainment and incredible action. Get your tickets early because you do not want to miss out."
Tickets for CFFC 157 are on sale now at CFFC.tv.
The CFFC 157 main card streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS, with preliminary bouts streaming exclusively at OnlyFans.com/cffcmma.
Bobe has been a staple of CFFC events over the past five years, including a spectacular 5-0 mark in CFFC BJJ appearances. However, most recently, Bobe has turned his full attention to his MMA career and has scored three straight stoppage wins, handing all three opponents their first losses as a professional. Now he gets his first crack at CFFC gold.
Meanwhile, Malakanov makes his CFFC debut with an immediate chance at taking home a belt. After previously working with American Top Team Portland, Malakanov recently relocated to California to train under UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber, and it paid off with a knockout win in May. He now makes a quick turnaround for the massive opportunity.
Stay tuned to CFFC.tv for future announcements regarding CFFC 157 and beyond.
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 CFFC Next Generation and CFFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
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.