Combate Americas to partner with El Clasico Miami for event in July

If you’re traveling this summer to attend El Clasico Miami — Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona -- there will be some MMA action for you to watch, as well.

Combate Americas will hold an event two days before the exhibition soccer match on July 27 at Mana Wynwood Convention Center in Miami, and the headliner will play on the Barcelona-Madrid rivalry, one of the most intense in all of sports, MMA Fighting has learned.

Abner Lloveras (20-9-1), of Barcelona, will meet Javier Fuentes (9-4), of Madrid, in the main event of “Combate Clasico.” The event will air live in the United States on Azteca America, and the following night, July 28, on TV Azteca in Mexico.

Combate Americas is partnering with the promoters of the exhibition soccer match, Relevent Sports, to bring the event to Miami as part of a weekend’s worth of attractions in Miami, which also includes Juventus F.C. vs. Paris Saint-Germain F.C., as well as concerts and parties.

This particular Madrid-Barcelona match is notable because it will mark the first time the two historic clubs meet in North America and the first time since 1982 that they play each other outside of Spain. The match will take place July 29 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The “Combate Clasico” card will feature 10 fights, which will be announced in the coming weeks. Former UFC fighter and Diaz brothers protégé Chris Avila is expected to compete on the card, as well.

Combate Americas