Combate Américas: Jose Alday earns bantamweight title with hard fought win over Gustavo Lopez

Here is how the bantamweight main event between Jose Alday vs. Gustavo Lopez played out in the main event of Combate Americas card in Downtown Phoenix.

On Friday, Sept. 14, Combate Americas, touched down in Downtown Phoenix to bring fight fans Combate Americas: Jose Alday vs. Gustavo Lopez live from the Celebrity Theater.

In the night’s main event, Jose Aldy looked to earn the promotion’s first even bantamweight title. However, because Lopez came in one-pound overweight, he was not eligible to win the 135-pound crown.

Lopez (8-3) was stepping in on short notice after Alday’s original opponent, Levy Marroquin, was forced out with a case of influenza. The 29-year-old Lopez was a five-time Combate Americas veteran, previously fought for the promotion’s 135-pound title in the past, where fans saw him knocked out by John Castaneda in Oct. 2016. However, because Castaneda missed weight, he was not awarded the belt.

Alday, who had just turned 27, entered the bout looking to improve on his split decision win over Castaneda in the main event of the historic Univision and UDN simulcast at Combate Estrellas I in April.

Round 1

WIth a touch of the gloves, both me met in the center of the cage. Lopez opened up with a leg kick before eating a left jab between the eyes. Rushing forward, Lopez threatened with a double-jab before circling away. Attacking with another leg kick, Lopez was immediately dropped from a straight right.

Swarming in, Alday looked to finish the fight but his opponent immediately scrambled to his feet. Refusing to let up, Alday swarmed with a flying knee. After shaking off the cobwebs, Lopez plodded forward as Alday continued to rely on his left jab. Shaking off the barrage, Lopez ducked in and secured the takedown.

Working against the fence, Lopez uncorked a hurricane of punches as his opponent squirmed beneath him. After climbing back to his feet, Alday found himself stuck in a guillotine. After dropping back down, Lopez let up, giving Alday an opening. This would prove to be a massive mistake as Alday stunned Lopez with snapping jab as the crowd erupted around them. somehow surviving, both Lopez and Alday traded blows as a wildly entertaining opening round came to an end. FanSided scores it 10-9 Lopez

Round 2

With one round under their belt and the crowd on their feet, both men met back in the center of the cage. Circling away, Lopez connected with a pair of left hooks. Walking through a body kick, Lopez scooped up Alday and slammed him back to the canvas. Working for the choke, Lopez snatched Alday’s neck and began to torque with all of his strength. Somehow surviving, Alday not only squirmed free but climbed back to his feet.

Walking Lopez down, Alday connected with an overhand right followed by a left hook to the jaw. With both men battered and bruised, they traded blows in the center of the cage before Lopez dropped in and secured another takedown. Controlling top position, Lopez finished out the round on top. FanSided scores it 10-9 Lopez

Round 3

With only one round left, both men embraced in the center of the cage. Sticking to the inside, Alday continued to rely on his jab as Lopez worked with his back to the fence. Lunging forward, Alday connected with another combination but found himself slammed back to the mat, courtesy of a back suplex from Lopez.

However, unlike the previous takedowns, Alday immediately sprung his to his feet. With two minutes left, Alday slipped in an uppercut but was sent back with a straight right to the jaw. Looking up at the clock, Lopez saw there was only one minute left and immediately put his foot to the gas as he swarmed in with a flurry of strikes before slamming Alday back to the canvas. FanSided scores it 10-9 Alday

OFFICIAL SCORECARD: Jose Alday def. Gustavo Lopez via split decision (29-28, 30-27, 28-29)