NBC Universo to Air OMBATE AMERICAS This Week

NBC UNIVERSO, the modern sports and entertainment cable channel for Latinos, will air live the first fight in the Combate Americas live event series this Thur., Sept. 17 at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT. Combate Americas is the groundbreaking live event Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight series created specifically for U.S. Hispanics who are passionate about the artistry and action of the sports. It is the first and only MMA league featuring Hispanics fighters, many who are the best and most promising up-and-comers in the fight game today. The Combate Americas franchise was founded by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) co-creator Campbell McLaren.

Four-time WWE champion and seasoned MMA veteran Alberto el Patron aka Alberto Del Riowill serve as a color commentator for the live fight event series.

Competing in the Combate Americas main event fight that will be telecast live on NBC UNIVERSO this Thursday will be fast-rising star Ozzie "The Outlaw" Alvarez (6-2) of Huntington Beach, Calif. He will square-off with undefeated, finisher Justin "The Tactician" Patterson (5-0) of Dallas, TX.

In a co-main event, two ferocious talents, John "Sexy Mexy" Castaneda (7-2) of Mankato, Minn. and former U.S. Marine Justin "The Therapist" Governale (5-2) of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. will battle.

Also on the fight card that night will be Combate Americas reality series star Ricky "El Gallero" Palacios (3-1) of Mission, TX, who will face Benji "The Brawler" Gomez (4-4) of Ventura, Calif. in a bantamweight (135 pounds) matchup.

Urijah Faber-protégé Erick Sanchez (4-2) of Sacramento, Calif. will collide with Guatemala native "Ruthless" Rudy Morales (3-2) of Las Vegas.

In a featured women's strawweight (115 pounds) bout, Invicta FC veteran Nicdali "The Night Queen" Rivera-Calanoc (8-8) of Tulsa, Okla. will collide with power puncher Kyra Batara (2-3) of Las Vegas.

Unbeaten prospect Irvin Veloz (3-0) of Boca Raton, Fla. will meet fellow rising star Jay Pressley(4-1) of Milwaukee, Wis.