For the first time ever, Combate Americas will have a champion at 155 pounds.
Officials told MMA Fighting on Wednesday that Rafa Garcia (10-0) will fight Erick Gonzalez (10-3) for an inaugural lightweight title on Sept. 20 at Auditorio del Estado in Mexicali, Mexico.
Garcia, 24, has finished all but one of his six Combate Americas opponents and he is coming off of a first-round rear-naked choke victory over UFC veteran Estevan Payan in July. “Gifted” is a protege of UFC featherweight Cub Swanson.
Gonzalez, nicknamed “The Ghost Pepper,” has won four of his last five fights and is coming off of back-to-back victories over Won Sik Park and Alejandro Martinez.