“Shorty Rock” Sean Santella (23-9-2) will return to the cage for the primary time since July 2022 when he meets former UFC fighter Justin Scoggins (15-6) in Philadelphia on April 5. Artwork of Struggle Cage Combating promoter Mike Bickings shared the flyweight matchup solely with MyMMANews.com on Thursday.
“This battle is as excessive stage as you will get regionally,” Bickings informed MyMMANews mentioned of each fighters making their promotional debuts with AOW. “Shorty Rock has an excellent file of 23-9. We didn’t do him any favors by bringing in UFC vet, Justin Scoggins. Justin by no means misplaced as an ammy and gained his first 9 professional fights. He’s a UFC vet and Shorty desires this stage of opponents to remind everybody of who one of the best flyweight outdoors of the UFC is. It’s excessive danger, excessive reward for each guys. This battle might simply be on a UFC pay per view. Followers will see it reside at one of the best place in Philadelphia for MMA fights, Reside On line casino on April 5!”
Scoggins, 31, and hailing from North Carolina, 9 fights with the UFC between 2013 and 2018. “Tank” has additionally fought for RIZIN Combating Federation, Naked Knuckle Combating Championship, XMMA, and extra.
“He’s a BJJ specialist and a veteran of the sport,” Scoggins mentioned of Santella. “He’s robust, he’s gritty, however I’m more durable and grittier. I’ll hold it standing, beat his head up, get again to the UFC and turn out to be a world champion. Can’t wait to placed on a present for Philadelphia.”
Santella’s battle standing within the U.S. has been on hiatus as he was competing abroad with Courageous Fight Federation since 2020. The previous Cage Fury Combating Championships title holder did work his means as much as a battle alternative with the UFC in 2016, even having his signing talked about reside on a pay-per-view occasion. Sadly, the bout by no means occurred and “Shorty Rock” continued to dominate the regional circuit.
“I’m tremendous stoked to be again combating within the US after virtually 5 years,” Santella informed MyMMANews. “With the ability to battle in entrance of my family and friends right here on the east coast is at all times a deal with. I’m trying ahead to testing my abilities in opposition to one other UFC vet in Justin Scoggins. He’s fought a few of the finest guys on this planet, so I do know it’s gonna be a scrap!”
Your complete AOW 35 battle card at LIVE! On line casino and Lodge might be revealed on MyMMANews because the occasion continues to construct.