Current MMA announcer Alberto El Patron plans to return to fight in the cage next year at Combate Americas’ inaugural pay-per-view, a person with knowledge of the plan told TheWrap. El Patron, whose real name is José Alberto Rodríguez, is perhaps best-known from his time as WWE wrestler Alberto Del Rio.
We know, it’s a lot of names.
El Patron, who serves as a commentator and ambassador for mixed martial arts league Combate Americas, first announced his plans to return to fighting during an appearance on Monday’s “MMA Hour.” Our readers can watch the episode via the video above.
Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren said he’s targeting February 2019 for the PPV. El Patron/Rodriguez/Del Rio (again, that’s one dude) mentioned Arena Ciudad de Mexico as a possible venue for the event.
El Patron mentioned that he’ll be facing a “former super champion,” who he said is well known in both Mexico and the United States. That’s all he and McLaren could say about his opponent as the deal is not yet done.
The return is currently planned to be a one-and-done deal, but both El Patron and McLaren said they wouldn’t close the door on doing more.
Readers can catch the next Combate Americas event streaming on DAZN and televised on Univision and Univision Deportes Network. The DAZN stream includes the full 11-bout card beginning with the first prelim fight at 10/9c. Univision and UDN cover the main card two hours later starting at 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT.
The (billed) 6’5″ Del Rio is a former WWE Champion and World Heavyweight Champion in Vince McMahon’s pro-wrestling promotion.
Rodriguez has a 9-5 record in professional MMA matches.