RFA 8 takes place next Friday night in Milwaukee and was scheduled to be headlined by Jeff Curran facing Sergio Pettis in a flyweight bout.
However, Curran has pulled out of the fight due to personal reasons and stepping in to replace Curran against Pettis will Dillard Pegg.
RFA President Ed Soares announced the change on the RFA website and he issued a statement about the change in the main event for next week’s card.
“It’s unfortunate that Jeff Curran had to pull out of the fight on short notice, but this happens, even at the highest levels of MMA,” said Soares. As an organization that models itself after the UFC, we had to move forward and find a worthy replacement to give the fans an exciting title fight that is just as compelling as the original bout. Luckily, we were able to find that in “Smokin’ Joe” Pegg. Pegg has finished all four opponents he has faced in 2013 and brings an explosive striking arsenal that will clash well with Sergio Pettis. Pegg is in shape after winning a fight five days ago with a 42-second submission, and like Sergio Pettis, he’s also a second degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. He’s fast, aggressive, and looks for the finish. This is a huge opportunity for Pegg and I believe this is going to be a great main event for the first ever RFA flyweight title.”
Pegg (5-1) has a total of six professional fights with three knockouts and two submissions with his most recent submission coming June 7 over Jeremy Pender at Absolute Action MMA.
“I didn’t hesitate when the RFA called me, because headlining this card and fighting for a title against Sergio Pettis is the chance of a lifetime,” said Pegg. “I expect people to look over me, but they shouldn’t. I’m going to give everything I have on June 21st. I don’t care what your last name is, this is a fight, and you never know what can happen. If I beat Pettis, not only will my confidence be sky high, but it also shows that win on national TV. This is a huge opportunity for my career and I am excited, in shape. and ready to take on Sergio Pettis.”
RFA 8: Pettis vs. Pegg will come from The Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the current fight card is below:
Main Card: (AXS TV – 10 p.m. ET)
Sergio Pettis (7-0) vs. Dilliard Pegg (5-1) – for inaugural flyweight title
Jared Downing (9-1) vs. Lance Palmer (6-0) – for featherweight title
Keoni Koch (5-0) vs. Pedro Munhoz (7-0)
Mike Rhodes (4-1) vs. Benjamin Smith (4-1)
James Barber (2-0) vs. Chinzo Machida (1-2)
Dan Moret (4-0) vs. Jose Pacheco (7-3-1)