Triple-Title Night on Tap as Fury Amateur Series 58 Lands in Houston
HOUSTON — Fury Fighting Championship will return to Imagen Venues on Sept. 28 with a loaded amateur card that includes three title fights and several rising prospects from across the region. Fury Amateur Series 58 is scheduled for 15 bouts, headlined by an undefeated featherweight showdown.
The main event features Loyd David (3-0) against Anthony Cruz (4-0) for the amateur featherweight championship. David, ranked No. 21 among regional featherweights and fighting out of 4oz Fight Club, has built his early career entirely under the Fury banner. Cruz, ranked No. 15, makes his Fury debut after more than a year away from competition.
“I’m fighting Anthony Cruz. All I know is that he’s undefeated, so he’s going to be a dangerous man,” David said. “So all I got to do is be prepared for whatever he’s got.”
David, who began training after a friend introduced him to jiu-jitsu, said the promotion has matched him with difficult opponents to sharpen his growth. “Working with Fury has been really good. They’ve been matchmaking me with a lot of really tough opponents, which is really good for me because it’s going to strengthen me as I progress to many more fights and then hopefully when I do go pro,” he said.
The co-main event will decide the bantamweight championship, with Mario Bustos (3-0), ranked No. 25 in the region and representing TX 3rd Coast MMA, taking on Niko Martinez (3-0), ranked No. 14. A coach in Bustos’ corner said the fighter’s camp has been intense.
“The work ethic’s awesome and it’s great to work with these guys,” the coach said. “Mario, of course, is really trying to push the pace for these five rounds. Cardio has never really been an issue, but it’s even more exciting to watch the cardio come up even higher than it was, as well as the technical skills and all the knowledge. Conversating with them back and forth just to kind of get their thoughts on the whole thing has been a real treat.”
In the flyweight title fight, Alan Gonzalez (5-2) meets Brett Kelley (5-1). Gonzalez, who trains at Gracie Barra The Woodlands, is ranked No. 24 nationally at bantamweight and has fought his entire career with Fury. Kelley, ranked No. 48 nationally among flyweights, represents Main Street Muay Thai and looks to claim a belt in his first Fury title shot.
The undercard includes several notable matchups. Martin Pineda (4-3), ranked No. 31 at middleweight, will meet Anthony McBride (2-1), who returns to action for the first time since 2019. At featherweight, Noah Nwadei will attempt to even his Fury record at 3-3 representing TX 3rd Coast MMA when he faces Daniel Fundora (3-2), who fights out of Costa Rica with Athletic Advance.
“I believe in methodical destruction. I don’t believe in rushing things, but when I see my opening, I take it,” Nwedei said. “I’ve been training since 2017 and it was just a creative way to display my art, really. I’ve always been the smaller guy, watching the UFC and things like that. Seeing the smaller guy be able to dominate bigger guys really inspired me to start martial arts.”
He added that Fury gives him the biggest platform yet. “Fury definitely has the biggest lights. I like that because, like I said, I want to display my art, and the bigger the audience I can display it in front of, the better it is for me,” Nwedei said. “I don’t know much about Fundora to be honest, apparently he has five fights, no film. Doesn’t matter whether I have film or not. I can break someone down in and out of the ring.”
Other fighters on the card are eager to make an impression. Jorge Regalado, who competes out of 4oz Fight Club, faces Mehul Somaroutu in a featherweight contest.
“I’m fighting Mehul Somaroutu, pretty scramble-y guy,” Regalado said. “We’re gonna put on a show. I’m ready to showcase my skills and get that finish for sure.”
Regalado has been training for two years and said Fury has been the right stage for his growth. “Working with Fury has been amazing. Honestly, it’s high-level promotion. They’re so professional and I feel really comfortable fighting for them,” he said.
El Apache also expects his matchup to deliver fireworks. “I know he’s like a slick jiu-jitsu player. I mean, this is a fight, you know, it’s not a jiu-jitsu competition, but let’s just say it’s going to be a great show,” he said.
After returning to training in 2024, El Apache said finding the right team has been crucial. “The work ethic’s awesome and it’s great to work with these guys,” he said. “It’s been a real treat.”
With three title fights, multiple undefeated records on the line and fighters ranging from Fury regulars to international newcomers, Fury Amateur Series 58 will showcase some of the top talent in the amateur ranks. The event begins at 2 p.m. at Imagen Venues. Get your tickets at https://www.furyfc.tv/ and watch on Clear Life.