MAY 19 UPDATE – This rematch between Robichaux and Deleon is OFF due to undisclosed reasons. Legacy FC is currently seeking a replacement to face “Robo” on the July 22nd card to be aired on HDNET.
May 9, 2011 – As first reported by Five Ounces of Pain, Chad Robichaux (11-1) will make his return to the Houston area MMA scene on July 16th’s Legacy Fighting Championship card at the Houston Arena Theater in a rematch with none other than Humberto Deleon (5-5). The two originally locked horns in a ‘Strikeforce: Houston’ this past August in a preliminary bout many considered controversial in its ending – a split decision win in favor of the Gracie Barra black belt.
With this bout, Robichaux will be making his first Houston appearance since his last bout with Deleon and his first Legacy bout since a 2009 bantamweight victory over Lewis McKenzie to claim the Legacy 135 title. He will make his re-appearance fresh off the heels of a spirited performance against current Bellator champion Zack Makovsky recently at Bellator 41 – which he lost via TKO in the third round to give the decorated Marine Special Forces veteran his first loss in twelve professional bouts.
It’s been previously reported that Chad would be fighting his next bout outside the promotion but one would think that if he beats Humberto once more, its highly plausible that Bellator would have the Legacy champion back for a crack at next season’s bantamweight tournament, and another crack at Zack Makovsky.
As for Humberto Deleon, he too will be making his first appearance in Houston since his 2010 bout with Robichaux. Humberto was last seen taking now-IXFA flyweight champion Jimmy Flick to the distance in Winnie, TX just a few weeks ago in their own rematch. With a penchant for taking on all comers (including Johnny Bedford and Nate Garza in addition to Flick and Robo), this fighter is known in Texas fight circles as a tough fighter that is nearly impossible to finish.
Recently though, Deleon’s take-on-all-comers attitude has landed him in tough times with four straight losses. A win over his fellow Bellator veteran would certainly do wonders to resurrect his own aspirations.
With lots at stake for both men, along with the epic battle that was their first bout, look for fireworks from both of these fighters at July’s Legacy FC in what has the makings of potential Houston summer classic.