UFC and PFL Vets return to Michigan for Legends of Combat 5
October 25th Legends of Combat is back in action in Muskegon Michigan from the Trinity Health Arena. The main event will feature one of the best Michigan heavyweights in recent memory past guest of the show Brett “Big Dog” Martin vs Luis Cortez . It also includes Mando “El Toro” Gutierrez fresh off a great performance in the PFL tournament even securing a rear naked choke win in the first round over Francisco Nuzzi and Cody Stamann fresh off a 15 fight run with the UFC taking on the likes of Merab Dvalishvili, Aljamain Sterling and more .
Cody and Mando are two of the most well known Michigan fighters in recent years and both fighters opened up about what it means to them to be fighting in the mitten again . Mando coming off an impressive run for PFL in which he opened a lot of eyes and a previous stint on The Ultimate Fighter said “I love fighting at home and I’m not trying to sit around and wait till the next PFL tournament . I love how PFL treats me and that he has a good relationship with them but is completely focused on the man in front of him . For Stamann, it was different “Fighting at home was a humbling experience after fighting in the UFC until I saw the excitement from my friends family and fans about fighting back in Michigan.”
Cody will be stepping in to the cage against a familiar foe on October 25th as he faces off with Shawn Tarlton (5-3) who squared off with his teammate and past guest of the show Chad Decker. There was a lot of heat headed in to that fight from both sides . When I asked Cody if that was any motivation he had this to say “He was the first guy to say yes and his fans were super disrespectful when he fought Chad one even spot his drink on me on the way to the cage I thought I was gonna go to jail after the fight . The way the fans rock with their fighter is what makes Michigan MMA great I’m gonna remind everyone I’m the man and I can scrap not too many that have came out of Michigan and were ranked in the top ten in the UFC .”
Mando had an opponent change and now will be facing undefeated prospect Ezequiel Peralta coming to us from the Dominican Republic. I asked Mando what kept his fire lit to wanna take this fight against an unknown after his run in PFL. “My hard work and work ethic came long before mma . My parents are the hardest working people I know . That blue collar work ethic doesn’t change just because I get punched in the face for a living . All the training is everyday work and it’s all for 15-25 mins in the cage .”
Both men are returning home to remind anyone inn Michigan and around the world just who they are and the reason why places like the UFC and PFL took chances on kids from the mitten . Cody cut straight to the chase saying “This can’t be a close fight it needs to be a one sided fight and if I’m not walking over him I won’t be satisfied . My fire has been re lit and I’m ready to make a statement .”
So there you have it you’re not able to catch the flights live and in person, make sure you check them out one Spectation Sports and DON’T BLINK!
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