Rob Lisita (pictured) and Sam Bastin will square off for the Combat 8 featherweight title at the upcoming November 9, Combat 8: 04 show.
Although not officially announced at this stage, Fight News Australia has confirmed the title fight pairing with the promotion, and has also learned that the bout is not slated for the main event.
Both fighters have exchanged heated comments on Facebook in what is still the very early stages of the buildup, with Lisita firing the first shot.
“I fought my way to the Combat8 featherweight Title on November 9 in Newcastle. Sam “Sledge Hammer” Bastin talked his way into a fight to try to get revenge for what I did to his coach Jason Harris. You call me out you got it.”
Bastin later retaliated.
“I’m Keen to fight you Rob, I know it’s going to be war, I’m excited for you to punch me in the face, I love this shit, breath it and live it, you won’t be number 1 after combat 8.”
Inside the promotion, Lisita is coming off an epic war with Hugh Cameron at Combat 8: 03 in which he walked away with a unanimous points decision. The 30 year-old featherweight standout, who recently booked a fight with Japanese veteran Takeshi Inoue in December, is currently undefeated in all forms of competition this year, with his latest victory coming at Australian Fighting Championship 6 where he stopped Brazilian standout Rodolfo Marques.
With an amateur background in Boxing, which saw him face State and Australian title holders, Baskin shouldn’t feel too out of place when he steps into the Combat 8 cube for the first time and competes under the hybrid fighting promotion’s modified rules — No kicks, knees or elbows and limited time on the ground. In Mixed Martial Arts, the Port Macquarie local was enjoying a three-fight win streak, which saw him defeat Callum Lewis, Jason Preece along with Aussie lightweight standout Rob Hill, before losing to Alex MacDonald at Nitro 9.
Combat 8: 04 will take place on November 9 at the Newcastle Panthers Club. No other matchups have been announced at this stage however duel rugby international Timana Tahu will make his combat sports debut on the show after inking a two fight deal with with the Newcastle based promotion.
