MMA News

Championship Grand Prix Semifinals feature at UFL 3 on Saturday night

Aaron East

August 11, 2023

United Fight League burst onto the scene earlier this year and have received plaudits for being the only promotion around to offer all fighters under multi-fight contracts healthcare, life insurance and shares in the company. With MMA legends, Frank Mir and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, in ambassadorial roles, the athletes are always at the forefront of all decisions made by the organisation and are truly seen as partners in a mutually beneficial, working relationship. This weekend, our fighters will be showcased at their biggest event yet!

UFL 3 goes down in Mesa, Arizona, on Saturday night (August 12) and features all of the Championship Grand Prix semi finals across five weight classes. The winners will progress to the tournament finals in their quest for gold later this year when five UFL world champions will be crowned. Tickets are still available for UFL 3 at TIXR.com and the whole event will be broadcast live and free on Rumble.

In the main event, power puncher, Shane Sobnosky (8-2), rematches Bellator veteran, Ty Gwerder (6-4), as part of the Championship Grand Prix middleweight semifinals. When the pair first met in July of last year, Gwerder dropped his adversary and appeared only seconds away from victory until Sobnosky sprung back to his feet and delivered a huge knockout blow. Gwerder was considering stepping away from the sport but when the opportunity to even the score with Sobnosky presented itself, he couldn’t turn it down, especially considering the potential championship stakes now in play. Will it be repeat or revenge? Watch their crazy, 12-second first fight below.

Talented all-rounder, Amun Cosme (5-1), will compete in the co-headliner opposite dangerous striker, Valodia Aivazian (11-3), as part of the Championship Grand Prix bantamweight semifinals. Cosme became an NFC amateur title holder and his fighting career has gone from strength to strength ever since, picking up three first round victories. The man known as ‘Predator’, Aivazian, has looked nothing short of devastating every time he enters the cage having finished nine of his eleven wins by knockout. Both men know they are only two wins away from raising the belt.

In other Championship Grand Prix semi final bouts, exciting brawler, Zurina Turrey (2-0), squares off with Invicta veteran, Claire Guthrie (5-2), at women’s bantamweight and Contender Series alum, Brandon Lewis (6-2), meets Elevation Fight Team product, Justin Wetzell (8-2), in a featherweight contest. Furthermore, tough Englishman Ashley Reece (9-2), takes on Dzhokhar Duraev (5-0), who returns to competition after five years away, at welterweight.

Elsewhere on the card, son of Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Raja Jackson (Pro Debut), will make his professional debut against fellow newcomer, Steve Collins (Pro Debut), in a lightweight bout. Jackson went 4-0 as an amateur including a recent first round knockout win at UFL 2 in May. The ‘Rampage’ lineage continues on Saturday night!