Plaza Viva Guayarte
Circle Saturday, November 14th on your calendar, fight fans. The Ultimate Combat Challenge (UCC) is officially coming back to Guayaquil, bringing a massive slate of international matchups to Plaza Viva Guayarte. Men and women across both the amateur and pro ranks will step into the cage and the ring for a full day of MMA, Muay Thai,Kickboxing, and Boxing.
Over 80 Fights on the Lineup
If you like nonstop action, this card has plenty of it. Local promoter Francisco “Pancho” Bajana—who most people in the scene know as the head coach of 8 Armas Team—shared just how big this weekend’s lineup has gotten.
“Over 80 bouts are scheduled now in both amateur and pro in a wide range of disciplines such as Pro and Amateur MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Boxing.”
Instead of sticking to just one style, the event mixes four distinct combat sports under one roof:
- MMA: Pro and amateur cage fights where grappling meets striking.
- Muay Thai: Eight-limbed striking loaded with heavy clinches, knees, and elbows.
- Kickboxing: Pure, fast-paced stand-up action.
- Boxing: Traditional sweet science matchups inside the ropes.
The Venue: Fight Night by the Salado Estuary
Half the appeal of this card is where it’s happening. Plaza Viva Guayarte sits right along the Salado Estuary on Av. Carlos Julio Arosemena, directly across from the Universidad Católica. It’s an open-air cultural spot built out of shipping containers, giving the whole place a laid-back, neighborhood street-festival feel rather than a stuffy arena vibe.
Between bouts, there is plenty to do around the grounds:
- Food and Drinks: Grab dinner or a cold drink at the casual cafes, bars, and dining spots tucked into the container park.
- Live Entertainment: The plaza regularly hosts live music, outdoor movie nights, and local markets.
- Big Screens: If you step away from the cage to grab food, giant TV screens around the plaza keep the fights in view.
- Open-Air Layout: The setup runs right beside the linear park and the Salado Estuary bridge, so you get the evening breeze off the water while watching the card.
Image Alt-Text: Francisco “Pancho” Bajana, Ecuadorian community leader and head coach at 8 Armas Team, in Guayaquil. (Photo courtesy of 8 Armas Team)
A Real Shot for Local Fighters
To put together a show with over 80 bouts, the Panama-based UCC promotion partnered with Liga De Fuego, one of Ecuador’s top combat sports platforms. The idea is straightforward: give local prospects and battle-tested pros a stage that actually leads somewhere.
Winning in front of a hometown crowd in Guayaquil is great on its own. Still, the bigger prize is what comes next.Standout fighters from this card will earn invites to future UCC events across Latin America and beyond.
“This is an opportunity for athletes, managers, and coaches to reach out to provide that opportunity for skilled athletes to take that next step,” Bajana explained.
Building the Fighter, Not Just the Record
Plenty of regional shows hand fighters a small purse, update their record, and call it a night. UCC Ecuador takes a different approach by helping athletes build their name outside the cage.
Fighters on the roster get professionally shot social media promos, custom fight posters, and interview spots with local and international media. It gives up-and-coming athletes real promotional material they can use to attract sponsors and grow a following. And for the crowd showing up on Saturday, the whole night is set up to be loud, energetic, and fun enough to bring the whole family along. Check out the latest promo video for the event and grab your spot before the first bell rings.
