CageSport welterweight champion Luis Iniguez will face Albert Tadevosyan for the185-pound title in the co-main event of CageSport 62 presented by Legends Casino Hotel at the Yakima Valley SunDome on Saturday, April 23.
The Iniguez/Tadevosyan bout will be one of two championship fights on the card as heavyweight titleholder Sua Tuani will defend his crown against former champion and Yakima resident Richard Foster.
Additional fights include Yakima rising star Jorge Alcala taking on Daniel McElhaney in a 135-pound bout and a rematch between former CageSport lightweight champion Bobby McIntyre and Yakima’s Charon Spain.
Tickets for the all-ages show are available at the Yakima Valley SunDome (855) 305-4862 box office Monday – Friday or can be purchased online at TicketsWest.com. Preliminary bouts start at 7p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
BACKGROUND AND FIGHTERS PROFILE
The title fight for Tadevosyan is more than nine months in the making as he was originally slated to square off against Tony Murphy for the vacant 170-pound championship in the main event of CageSport 61 last summer. However, he was forced to miss the event due to an illness.
In stepped Iniguez, who took full advantage of the opportunity by winning the championship with a thrilling third-round KO at the at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash. On July 24, 2021.
Iniguez, who is a perfect 4-0 lifetime in CageSport, capped the card and captured the170-pound championship by knocking Murphy out 3 minutes and 15 seconds into the third round. Iniguez certainly showed his mettle after being dropped to the canvas by a Murphy left mid-way through the first round before rallying to eventually take control of the scheduled five-round title fight.
Iniguez(4-1) put Murphy on his back a minute into the third round with a left of his own. Murphy was able to survive the initially onslaught, returning to his feet and exchanging strikes with Iniguez but was dropped for a second time later in the round. Iniguez did not let a second opportunity slip away as he immediately pounced on his opponent, connecting with several hammer fists, leading to the stoppage of the fight
It marked the fourth consecutive victory in CageSport for Iniguez, who won his professional debut with a second-round KO win over Chris Evans at CageSport 51.
Additionally, Iniguez also posted wins over Mike Holt at CageSport 55 and Cameron Sevilla-Rivera at CageSport 56.
Witha 7-2-1 record, Tadevosyan made his long-await return to the cage after a 5-year layoff, which was prolonged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in September against Justin Sumter in a UFC Fight Pass broadcast of CES MAA 64 in Connecticut.
“The layoff was supposed to be much shorter. I left to build my new business and to buy a house which took much longer but everyday returning to MMA was in my mind,” Tadevosyan said. “I reached my business/personal goals and as soon as I got established, I decided to jump back in. The pandemic definitely made it harder to find fights, but I kept training and waiting as martial arts is my life and training never stops.”
CageSportfans last saw Tadevosyan fight at a CageSport event back in 2014 when he foughtTaki Uluilakepa to a unanimous draw at CageSport 33.
“Compared to five years ago I am a 100 percent different fighter,” Tadevosyan said.“Right now, I would describe myself as a technical striker and a ground fighter. I believe I am perfectly well-rounded fighter. I can adapt to each opponent and fight, boxing, Muay Thai or mma style. I can do foot work angles or push and stalk my opponent. Whatever style works best I can adapt and apply.”
CageSport62 will also feature Yakima’s Wyatt Gonzalez facing Kris Ruffin, a heavyweight bout between Josh McPherson and Juan Figueroa, Aaisin Liberato taking on Joe Stafford and Dylan Blakesley meeting Quenton Hansen.
McIntyre,who defeated current UFC fighter and Yakima native Julian Erosa for theCageSport lightweight title at CageSport 46, faces local product Spain in are match from CageSport 52. McIntyre scored the win in the first meeting.
CageSport 62 is brought to you by Brian Halquist Productions and CageSport MMA. For more information, please visit the CageSport MMA Facebook page and www.halquistproductions.com
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