Valor Fights 36 invades Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Saturday, Aug. 13, and if the history of the Volunteer State is any indication, fans are in for a high-octane night of scrappin’.  

From Memphis to Knoxville, the state has housed MMA legends such as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and current contenders such as Ovince St-Preux.

Here are three reasons to watch Valor Fights 36, which you can watch all the action live on FloCombat starting at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

1. The All-American Showcase

At just 20 years old, Sid “The All-American Kid” Wheeler is the next best thing to come out of Valor Fights. The undefeated (5-0) top middleweight prospect headlines this card against his toughest test to date, Roufusport veteran Gerald Meerschaert (22-8) at a 200-pound catchweight.

Unlike other regional promotions, Valor Fights isn’t in the business of protecting its champions. When Wheeler’s original opponent, MMA legend Joe Riggs, was forced out of the fight due to injury, Valor Fights didn’t wrap its current middleweight champion any gifts.

Meerschaert’s only defeat in his last seven fights was a decision loss against current UFC middleweight Sam Alvey. The Green Bay native is on a three-fight winning streak, which most recently includes a knockout win over Lucas Rota at Titan FC 34.

Meerschaert has four times more professional experience than Wheeler’s last opponent, Kendrick Miree. If the top prospect notches another impressive win, it will most certainly put him on the radar of the UFC and Bellator.

If this storyline doesn’t sell you, Wheeler’s last fight will. In one of the most entertaining fights in Valor Fights history, he went toe-to-toe with Miree for five rounds before eventually netting the victory in spectacular fashion. You can watch the whole fight right here:


Will the veteran spoil Wheeler’s showcase on short notice or will the young fighter solidify his top prospect status? Tune in to FloCombat on Saturday night to find out.

2. Is he tough enough?

Tanner Saraceno isn’t new to the spotlight. The Valor Fights welterweight was a contestant on the WWE Network’s Tough Enough, a reality show where the winner earns a WWE contract.

Although he was voted off the show right before the season finale, Saraceno (1-1) was far and away the most athletic contestant on the show, winning the season’s challenges on a regular basis. He takes on Travis Connor, who’s making his pro debut.

For the time being, Saraceno decided to take a step back from pro wrestling and focus on his MMA career, but will he be successful enough to prove the WWE fans wrong?

3. Gold in the Tennessee Hills

The Great Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, aren’t exactly rich with gold ore deposits; at least that was the case until this Saturday.

Two championship belts will be on the line at Valor Fights 36—one pro and one amateur. The co-main event features flyweights Cody Gabelman (5-2) vs CJ Hamilton (8-4) in battle for the vacant title.

Gabelman is making the drop back down to 125 pounds after a successful run a bantamweight, and Hamilton comes in as the No. 1 ranked flyweight from Georgia.

At 205 pounds, Dustin Long (6-3) faces Anthony Trotter (4-4) for the vacant light-heavyweight pro title. Both fighters are making the jump up from 185 pounds, but who will find greener pastures at the new weight?

In the amateur lightweight title fight, Lathon Lawson takes on Luis Rodrigues. An amateur title often indicates a fighter who's ready to take the next step and start making money as a professional inside the cage.

Which of these two talented 155-pounders will be able to jump to pro? There’s only one way to find out. Fire up your FloPRO account Saturday night and enjoy the show.

By Evan Murach