Issue 167
May 2018
The current MMA landscape generally dictates stars are made by hard work through the ranks over several years.
Down Mexico way however, one man showed he could be the next Latino hero by taking out three men in one night at Combate Americas’ eight-man, Copa Combate tournament – created by CEO Campbell McClaren as a throwback to the early days of the UFC.
RÉSUMÉ:
From: Monterrey, Mexico,
Division: 135lb,
Team: Lions Alpha Team,
Record: 12-3-0.
Levy Saúl Marroquín had mixed results in the past couple of years as he bounced around weight classes, so was not even part of the original bracket, but he got his chance to compete at the 11th hour as an alternate and make it clear he should have been part of the original octet.
He made it past experienced Mexican, Carlos Rivera, in the quarter-finals, before tapping Argentina’s Marcelo Rojo with a late guillotine in the semi. Pre-tournament favourite, John Castañeda, was waiting in the final – a big challenge on top of his previous efforts – but making the bantamweight division his home meant ‘El Negro’ was in great condition to fight three more rounds for a $100,000 (£71,000) prize.
“There’s a huge difference between fighting only one time and three times in the same night,” Marroquín says. “You have to take care of yourself, avoid injuries and try to be in the best shape possible to keep fighting.
“This is the best decision I’ve ever made. I dropped from the 155lb and 145lb divisions, which have much bigger fighters. 135lb is great for me. I feel strong, fast and my opponents aren’t that big.”
The 21-year-old outworked his more experienced opponent for a unanimous decision to take the title and win the grand prize. It could be a career-changing achievement to add to a life changing amount of money, which has helped him support his family.
His victory, it was thought, would grant him a fight with Érik Pérez – a marquee name in Mexican MMA who left the UFC on a three-fight win streak to join Combate Americas – but the promotion decided against it for now.
But that doesn’t matter to Marroquín right now. He’s eager to get back in the cage against anyone and continue to build momentum towards his ultimate goal.
“I’m not disappointed by not fighting with ‘Goyito’ right away,” he says. “I know that fight will come sooner or later and now I’m focused on my next opponent. I always train hard, it doesn’t matter if it’s ‘Goyito’ or anyone. I have to beat them.
“My objectives are still the same, I want to fight, I want Mexico and Latin America to know me – everybody. That’s my objective. Doing what I love, I want everybody to know who I am.”
In a nation that’s more famous for its legendary boxing champions, this young Mexican is dedicated to making his name as a complete martial artist and gain recognition from a population that’s passionate about fighting.
He’s proud to represent his nation in an organisation that’s aimed at Latinos, and do his part to help MMA grow as rapidly as it did north of the border.
That also means continuing to live and train in his homeland with the team that has got him this far, among the growing number of talented MMA athletes emerging everywhere from Monterrey to Mexico City.
“I feel so proud to be representing Mexico, to live and train here,” he says. “There are lots of fighters that leave for another place to improve as athletes, but I trust a lot in my team, my land and people. That’s why I’m always here training in Mexico. I don’t need any other camp, I trust in my team and people. Other Mexican fighters don’t and they leave to another training camp, but that’s not my case, I’m always here; I’m 100% Mexican!”
THREE MORE TO WATCH:
KHUSEIN SHEIKHAEV
Born: Russia,
Division: 135lb.
A man with a perfect 7-0 record who’s keeping busy in Absolute Championship Berkut against solid opponents. He took a step up in competition last year for his last three fights and has impressed with stoppages of each of them. His striking speed and combinations have really caught the eye.
BRIAN BOULAND
Born: Belgium,
Division: 135lb.
Two fights in Cage Warriors, two knockout wins. The second, in a main-event slot against the highly-touted Josh Reed – who was fighting at home in Wales – showed he has vicious ground-and-pound power for a bantamweight. Expect another step up next time out and we might see if he’s ready for the world stage.
MOVSAR EVLOEV.
Born: Russia,
Division: 145lb.
The M-1 Global bantamweight champion is a little bit like Khabib Nurmagomedov. He looks awkward as a striker – though he does have a head-kick KO on his record – but once he gets hold of someone, he’s murderous. A standing rear naked choke capped his latest title defence in one of Russia’s best organisations.
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