Det var från början tänkt att Sergio ”The Phenom” Pettis skulle möta Jeff Curran på nästa veckas RFA 8. Detta kommer nu inte att ske då organisationens VD Ed Soares idag meddelar att Curran tvingats dra sig ur matchen av personliga skäl.
”It’s unfortunate that Jeff Curran had to pull out of the fight on short notice, but this happens, even at the highest levels of MMA,” säger Soares. As an organization that models itself after the UFC, we had to move forward and find a worthy replacement to give the fans an exciting title fight that is just as compelling as the original bout. Luckily, we were able to find that in ”Smokin’ Joe” Pegg. Pegg has finished all four opponents he has faced in 2013 and brings an explosive striking arsenal that will clash well with Sergio Pettis. Pegg is in shape after winning a fight five days ago with a 42-second submission, and like Sergio Pettis, he’s also a second degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. He’s fast, aggressive, and looks for the finish. This is a huge opportunity for Pegg and I believe this is going to be a great main event for the first ever RFA flyweight title.”
Som nämnt ovan har Pegg precis som Pettis ett svart bälte i Taekwondo så det kan förmodligen bli ett riktigt stående krig. Pegg gjorde sin proffsdebut under 2011 och har sedan dess hunnit vinna fem matcher och förlora en, alla matcher har tagit slut i den första ronden. Han gick senast match för bara en vecka sedan då han besegrade Jeremy Pender via submission endast 42 sekunder in i matchen.
”I didn’t hesitate when the RFA called me, because headlining this card and fighting for a title against Sergio Pettis is the chance of a lifetime,” säger Pegg. ”I expect people to look over me, but they shouldn’t. I’m going to give everything I have on June 21st. I don’t care what your last name is, this is a fight, and you never know what can happen. If I beat Pettis, not only will my confidence be sky high, but it also shows that win on national TV. This is a huge opportunity for my career and I am excited, in shape. and ready to take on Sergio Pettis.”
RFA 8 går av stapeln i The Rave/Eagles Club i Milwaukee den 21 juni. Förutom titelmatchen i flugvikt så kommer den duktige brottaren Lance ”The Party” Palmer (6-0) från Team Alpha Male att ta sig an Jared Downing (10-1) om fjäderviktstiteln.
Huvudkort
- Titelmatch i flugvikt: Sergio Pettis vs. Joe Pegg
- Titelmatch i fjädervikt: Jared Downing vs. Lance Palmer
- Bantamvikt: Pedro Munhoz vs. Mitch Jackson
- Weltervikt: Mike Rhodes vs. Benjamin Smith
- Fjädervikt: Dan Moret vs. Jose Pacheco
- Weltervikt: Zak Ottow vs. Matt Gauthier
Underkort
- Lättvikt: Kevin Morris vs Brian Householder
- Bantamvikt: David Rhoads vs. Derrick Mandell
