Adios!

Combate Americas cut John Castaneda today (Tues., Nov. 15, 2016) after “Sexy Mexi” turned down a championship rematch against Gustavo Lopez, scheduled for Jan. 19, 2017 in Mexico City.

Castaneda (12-2) scored a technical knockout win over Lopez at “Empire Rising” last month in Verona, New York; however, the 24-year-old striker was unable to capture the crown after failing to make weight for their 135-pound showdown.

Lopez, who criticized his bantamweight rival for multiple fouls during the bout, was understandably chafed.

“I’m disappointed that I'm not able to avenge my loss, but this is the fight game and you don't always get what you want,” Lopez told MMAmania.com. “He must be crazy to leave such an amazing company like Combate Americas. All I can do now is go forward and get ready for the next fight in my MMA career.”

Castaneda told MMAmania.com that his decision to pass on the upcoming rematch was not a slight against Combate Americas or his opponent, but rather a strategic move to maintain his upward trajectory.

His words:

“I think that Combate Americas is doing great things, I am honored to have been able to perform and go 5-0 under their banner. I want to fight the best in the world and the rematch with Gustavo does my career no good. Absolutely none. It only benefits the company and Gustavo. I already beat him once, and I finished him. If it was a controversial split decision, I wouldn't be opposed to it. I've helped this company grow and this company has helped my career grow; but when they are forcing a fight on you that you don't need or want, it's time to open your eyes and think about who really is looking for your best interest and not just their own. I'm excited and looking forward to my future. I am riding an eight-fight winning streak, am now currently ranked top 100 in the world in my weight class and am ready to make giant waves in the MMA game; with or without Combate.”

The promotion, which recently inked a landmark deal with Azteca — one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world — has yet to announce a new headliner for next year’s debut south of the border.

But Lopez plans on making life easy for matchmaker Mel Valenzuela.

“Combate has many great bantamweight fighters and I think Ricky Palacios could be next in line to fight me for the title,” Lopez continued. “He's undefeated under Combate Americas. I'll fight any bantamweight in the company but I'd really like to fight Ricky and show everyone just who the best 135’r is, since John is too scared to fight me.”

Combate Americas CEO Campbell McLaren declined comment on today’s release.