Urijah Faber's A1 Combat 34: Maximov vs. Wallace 2 is a mixed martial arts event promoted by Urijah Faber's A1 Combat and will take place on March 27, 2026 at the Hard Rock Live in Wheatland, California, United States.
Fight Card
Main Card (UFC Fight Pass)
Middleweight Nick Maximov vs. Buddy Wallace 185 lbs Middleweight Championship
Bantamweight Cameron Sandoval vs. Geremy Escolta 135 lbs Vacant Bantamweight Championship
Flyweight Phumi Nkuta vs. Namiki Kawahara 125 lbs Flyweight Championship
Heavyweight AJ Perez vs. Jureall Simmons 265 lbs Vacant Heavyweight Championship
Featherweight Bruno Souza vs. Ernie Juarez 145 lbs
Featherweight Andrew Coyne vs. Roberto Hernandez 145 lbs
Welterweight Yusuf Esembaev vs. Jonathan Hanes 170 lbs
Flyweight Aaron Villa-Carlos vs. Tyler Poalillo 125 lbs
Catchweight Eric Cortez vs. Rafael Jimenez 150 lbs
Preliminary Card
Bantamweight German Doev vs. Ramiro Hernandez 135 lbs Amateur Bantamweight Championship
Flyweight Thaddeus Stern vs. Miguel Angel Luna 125 lbs Vacant Amateur Flyweight Championship
Welterweight Dani Ghazi vs. Tre Orlando 170 lbs Vacant Amateur Welterweight Championship
Featherweight Tawfiqullah Omari vs. Tathya Gautam 145 lbs
Background
The California Gold Rush: Four Titles on the Line at A1 Combat 34!
The Hard Rock Live in Wheatland is set to become a championship furnace as Urijah Faber’s A1 Combat returns for its most ambitious event to date. On March 27, 2026, A1 Combat 34: Nkuta vs. Kawahara delivers a rare "Quadruple-Header" of title fights, featuring a mix of elite veterans and the most explosive prospects in the Western United States. In a promotion that has become the definitive bridge to the UFC, this night represents a high-stakes crossroads where legacies are cemented and new kings are crowned.
The Main Event: Maximov Defends the Middleweight Throne
At the summit of the card, the A1 Combat Middleweight Championship is on the line as the grappling sensation Nick Maximov looks to defend his crown against the dangerous Buddy Wallace. Maximov, a UFC veteran and standout from the Nick Diaz Academy, brings a suffocating, world-class wrestling pedigree that has frustrated some of the best in the world. He remains a master of the "grind," looking to extend his dominance in the 185-pound division.
In Buddy Wallace, however, he faces a battle-hardened challenger who thrives in the pocket. Wallace is known for his durability and the kind of one-punch power that can alter the course of a fight in a single exchange. This is a quintessential "specialist vs. brawler" narrative: can Maximov drag this into deep waters, or will Wallace find the chin and flip the script in Wheatland?
Triple-Crown Support: Bantamweight, Flyweight, and Heavyweight Gold
The championship intensity is relentless across the main card. The vacant Bantamweight title is contested between the surgical Cameron Sandoval and the surging Geremy Escolta, a fight many insiders are tipping for "Fight of the Night" honors due to their breakneck pace.
In the flyweight division, reigning king Phumi Nkuta puts his belt on the line against Japanese standout Namiki Kawahara. Nkuta’s elite wrestling and athleticism face a fascinating test against Kawahara’s unorthodox striking and high-level experience in the international circuit.
To round out the gold rush, the Heavyweight Championship is up for grabs as AJ Perez collides with Jureall Simmons. In a division where the judges are rarely needed, these two giants are expected to provide a definitive, highlight-reel ending to determine the new king of the big men.
Elite Featherweights and the Pro-Prospect Guard
The depth of A1 Combat 34 is further underscored by a featherweight clash between former LFA champion Bruno "The Tiger" Souza and the gritty Ernie Juarez. Souza’s elite Karate-based movement makes him one of the most difficult puzzles to solve in the sport, while Juarez brings the "anyone, anywhere" mentality that defines the NorCal fighting scene. Simultaneously, the welterweight ranks see Yusuf Esembaev test his undefeated record against the veteran Jonathan Hanes.
The Amateur Championship Gauntlet
The evening begins with an unprecedented triple-threat of amateur title fights, headlined by German Doev and Ramiro Hernandez battling for the Bantamweight Amateur crown. With vacant titles also on the line at Flyweight and Welterweight, the preliminary card serves as a crystal ball for the future of the sport. Every athlete on this card understands the "A1" mission: under the watchful eye of "The California Kid" Urijah Faber, a spectacular performance isn't just a win—it's an audition for the world stage.
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