Ah, yes—summer in America. It’s a season filled with graduations, backyard BBQs, sunburns, and good old-fashioned cage fighting. Doesn’t get much more “Murica” than that.
While the national spotlight is aimed at International Fight Week, the buildup to UFC 319, and the highly anticipated return of Dana White’s Contender Series, the real fight fans—the hardcores—know where to look for the next wave of talent: the regional scene. And Rocket Combat Sports 20, going down at Dominion Raceway in Woodford, VA, is exactly the type of event where tomorrow’s contenders start making noise today.
This card isn’t just a collection of local hopefuls. With three amateur titles on the line and some of the Mid-Atlantic’s top amateur fighters stepping into the cage, fans are going to get serious bang for their buck. Expect action. Expect grit. Expect a few breakout performances that’ll have you saying, “I saw them before they made it big.”
We spoke with Chris Rollins, head promoter of Rocket Combat Sports and a fighter himself, who’s been working overtime behind the scenes to make this event one to remember, “We’ve been busting our tails for months putting this card together,” Rollins said. “Now we’re only a few days out, and we’re looking forward to putting on a great night of fights for the fans.”
When asked what fans can expect when the cage door slams shut, Rollins didn’t hesitate, “Man, just a whole lot of fun and violence. Being an active fighter myself, I know exactly what these guys are going through to get ready for these fights. They’ve definitely earned their time in the spotlight.”
Rollins even has a personal investment in one of the most anticipated matchups of the night, the Rocket Combat Sports welterweight title. “One of the fights I’m looking forward to is Evan Taylor vs. Drew Cheezum,” Rollins said. “Taylor trains out of my gym. But I really want to test him and Cheezum is a guy that can bang so I’m expecting fireworks for that one.”
Another bout drawing some buzz will be for the Rocket Combat Sports vacant Featherweight title as Roberto Romero takes on Nate Jenkins in what many expect to be an all-out war. Both fighters enter this fight with nothing but respect for the other, but that hasn’t dampened the intensity at all. “He’s very underrated,” Jenkins said of Romero. “He’s fought really good opponents…that guy is nothing to be played with, but I’m coming up [to Virginia] to fight and I’m coming up there to win.”
Romero shared a similar feeling, praising Jenkins’ abilities and acknowledging the high stakes of the fight.
“You can look at my record of fights. My opponents are all pretty tough guys,” Romero said. “So when I saw [Jenkins] has four finishes in his last four fights and that he was on a good winning streak, that excited me. It’s just a recipe for fireworks.”
Wrapping up Rocket Combat Sports 20 will be a flyweight title fight as the reigning champion Andres Vele puts his belt on the line for the first time against Myo McKinney, currently ranked #2 among amateur flyweights in Virginia.
McKinney has already carved a name for himself on the Virginia circuit but this one carries personal stakes, “I’m hoping to get this fight to the ground,” McKinney said. “I lost my last fight by submission, and I want to [get a win] back by submission. I have a game plan, but I want to beat Vele by submission.”
The champion Andres Vele, has remained cool and composed in the lead up to the bout showing the challenger a lot of respect. Still the defending champ has one goal and that’s to put on an unforgettable performance.
“I’m hoping everyone goes out there and buys a ticket. I want everyone to expect a war. I’m going to put on a fight and put on a show with my opponent. I want everyone to enjoy themselves at the fight.”
Rocket Combat Sports 20 is more than just a local MMA show—it’s an opportunity to catch elite amateurs before the bright lights hit them. Whether you’re a die-hard regional scene junkie or a casual fan looking for a wild night out, Dominion Raceway is the place to be on June 27th.
Tickets to Rocket Combat Sports can be purchased here:
https://www.xtraseats.com/events/rocket-combat-sports-20-2fe0
To order the Rocket Combat Sports 20 PPV please visit: https://starfund.app/organizations/rcs/ppvs/rocket-combat-sports-20
