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With 25 bouts confirmed as of July 21, spanning across MMA, kickboxing, and Muay Thai, Rage in the Cage 30 is set to be Rochester’s biggest amateur fight card this summer.
Full Contact Promotions is returning to the Wyndham Hotel on Aug. 16 for the thirtieth edition of their flagship event, Rage in the Cage, marking their third card this year.
The Rochester-based combat sports organization is continuing its long-running tradition of showcasing amateur up-and-coming talent from across New York and surrounding states with this event. All fights will be sanctioned by the International Sport Kickboxing Association.
Rage in the Cage 30 fight list
*Note: This is not a complete list of all the announced fights. These are the most noteworthy matchups announced so far in descending order from the main event. The full card is subject to change. Fighters’ records taken from Tapology.com and based on appropriate rulesets.
Tomas Laredo (3-1) vs. Gabriel Vega (2-0) for the FCP MMA Featherweight title
Texas native Tomas Laredo won the 145-pound strap after handing former champion Kaiden Ellis (4-1) his first defeat with a rear-naked choke in the opening round. In his first defense, he is set to take on the undefeated Gabriel ‘The Gladiator’ Vega.
Austin Silliman (2-0) vs Tom Shelby (2-1) for the FCP MMA Cruiser-Heavyweight title
The undefeated Austin Silliman will be moving up a weight class to challenge LeRoy native Tom Shelby for the vacant 225-pound championship. Shelby, having not fought since a TKO title loss at the 2018 Ground Force 4 amateur event, will be eager to prove himself and win his second career championship.
Cedric Ortiz (6-8) vs Brodie Woodward (2-1 1NC), middleweight MMA bout
A quick bounce-back to the cage following a unanimous decision win on July 19, seasoned amateur Cedric Ortiz will be taking on Brodie Woodward, who is coming off two consecutive wins via first-round submission.
Mason Lewis (5-3) vs Jonathan Lopez (2-1) for the Interim FCP MMA Bantamweight title
After losing his title to the aforementioned Ellis, former featherweight champ Mason Lewis is hungry to snap his two-fight losing streak by regaining title holder status, this time in the bantamweight division. To do so, he will have to go through Jonathan Lopez, who last fought in a K4 Fighting event in Buffalo under kickboxing rules.
Andreas Quiroz (0-0) vs Dalton English (1-1), bantamweight MMA bout
Reigning FCP bantamweight kickboxing champ Andreas ‘The Aztec’ Quiroz makes his amateur MMA debut against promotional newcomer and ‘Dizzy’ Dalton English, who was born in Dalton, New York.
The Hornell native Quiroz’s last appearance in the promotion saw him compete in kickboxing and avenge a loss to former champion Austin Bailor (3-2). English will look to give Quiroz a rough introduction to the MMA ruleset.
Tyqwan Coles (4-1) vs Dillon Tharp (0-0) for the FCP Lightweight Kickboxing Title
The current Light and Welterweight FCP Kickboxing champ Tyqwan Coles is set to return after an 8-month layoff, where he will defend his Lightweight strap against the debuting Dillon Tharp.
A member of Buffalo gym WNYMMA, Tharp last competed in January of 2024 in a Muay Thai bout, losing by third-round knockout. He aims to bounce back and leave an early mark in his kickboxing career in what is the biggest fight of his career so far.
Eric Stanford (0-0) vs Ethan Westfield (0-0), 165-pound catchweight Muay Thai bout
With his 18th birthday happening just days before the event is to take place, Rochester’s own Eric ‘The Saint’ Stanford will make his competitive Muay Thai debut against Ethan Westfield, a fellow competitive Muay Thai newbie.
Following two wins as a junior fighter under kickboxing rules, Stanford is set to enter the adult rankings with this bout. Westfield, despite being older, has a limited experience advantage. He’s only had one fight, a decision win in kickboxing from last year’s Rage in the Cage 25 event.
Darnell Parker (0-1) vs Alex Martel (1-1), middleweight Kickboxing bout
Primarily known for his success under MMA rules with title runs in FCP’s middleweight and welterweight divisions, as well a championship reign in Cage Wars, Darnell Parker will attempt to get his first kickboxing victory against promotional debutant Alex Martel.
Martel, the slightly more experienced competitor under kickboxing rules, will aim to use his standup game to his advantage against the MMA veteran. Despite having more MMA fights under his belt, the majority of Parker’s wins have come via knockout, setting the stage for a potential close matchup.
How to get tickets to Rage in the Cage 30
- Where to buy tickets: Tickets can be purchased online via Full Contact Promotions’ website.
- Ticket costs: General admission will cost $45 in advance (excluding fees). Fight week prices will go up to $55.
- Date: Aug. 16
- Location: Wyndham Hotel, 70 State St. in Rochester
- Doors open: 4 p.m.
- First bell: 5 p.m.
Further details of the event can be found at the Full Contact Promotions Facebook page.
Rodrigo Feijao is an intern for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, focusing on sports-related stories and local music. He can be found on Instagram @rfeijao_777 and can be reached at [email protected].
