Combate Americas bringing MMA to Mexico following landmark deal with TV Azteca

Combate Americas will bring its hispanic-based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion to Mexico this January after signing a landmark deal with TV Azteca, one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world.

The year-long agreement gets underway next month with the “Combate Americas Azteca” weekly series, hosted by color commentator Andrea Calle, premiering Thursday, Nov., 3 at 10 p.m. on Azteca America (United States) and Friday, Nov. 4 at 11 p.m. on TV Azteca’s Channel 7 (Mexico).

“Our partnership with Azteca will take Combate Americas to the next level,” said Combate Americas founder and CEO Campbell McLaren. “I was there for the beginning of the UFC and saw how critical the correct television partner is to the growth of the franchise. Azteca has incredible reach in both the U.S. and Mexico, which is why this is such an exciting time for us.”

The first live event takes place on Jan. 19, 2017 from Mexico City featuring the bantamweight championship rematch pitting John Castaneda against Gustavo Lopez. “Sexy Mexy” scored a controversial technical knockout win over Lopez at “Empire Rising” earlier this month in Verona, New York.

“MMA has developed a worldwide audience and through Combate Americas, a passionate following among the fast-growing U.S. Hispanic, millennial audience, which is why we wanted this programming for both U.S. and Mexico,” said Rodrigo Fernández, Director of Azteca 7. “Campbell McLaren understands MMA better than anyone, which is why Azteca wants to be part of what we believe will be phenomenal growth for Combate Americas.”

Combate Americas live events will continue to air in English via UFC Fight Pass.

Combate Americas will bring its hispanic-based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion to Mexico this January after signing a landmark deal with TV Azteca, one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world.

The year-long agreement gets underway next month with the “Combate Americas Azteca” weekly series, hosted by color commentator Andrea Calle, premiering Thursday, Nov., 3 at 10 p.m. on Azteca America (United States) and Friday, Nov. 4 at 11 p.m. on TV Azteca’s Channel 7 (Mexico).

“Our partnership with Azteca will take Combate Americas to the next level,” said Combate Americas founder and CEO Campbell McLaren. “I was there for the beginning of the UFC and saw how critical the correct television partner is to the growth of the franchise. Azteca has incredible reach in both the U.S. and Mexico, which is why this is such an exciting time for us.”

The first live event takes place on Jan. 19, 2017 from Mexico City featuring the bantamweight championship rematch pitting John Castaneda against Gustavo Lopez. “Sexy Mexy” scored a controversial technical knockout win over Lopez at “Empire Rising” earlier this month in Verona, New York.

“MMA has developed a worldwide audience and through Combate Americas, a passionate following among the fast-growing U.S. Hispanic, millennial audience, which is why we wanted this programming for both U.S. and Mexico,” said Rodrigo Fernández, Director of Azteca 7. “Campbell McLaren understands MMA better than anyone, which is why Azteca wants to be part of what we believe will be phenomenal growth for Combate Americas.”

Combate Americas live events will continue to air in English via UFC Fight Pass.