Another Submission Underground event is nearly upon us, and though there have been a couple of shakeups on the main card, we’ll still get to see absolute champion Mason Fowler in action as he defends his title against Gabriel Checco in the main event.
SUG 27 will feature a number of SUG veterans on the card, with former title challenger Andy Varela taking on Ian Butler in the co-main event. Varela, who’s competed at CJJ Worlds as well, is a very familiar face at Submission Underground, having defeated names like Ben Egli, Rafael Domingos, and Satoshi Ishii in his appearances for the promotion. Though he was defeated by Fowler in his bid for the absolute title earlier this year, Varela has proven that he never stays in the L column for long. Indeed, he won his match against Kevin Casey at SUG 26. Butler, however, has an impressive record as his own, though his is primarily in the MMA circuit. A Bellator veteran, Butler has seen four of his eight wins in MMA come by way of submission. This will mark his SUG debut, and he’ll be coming in on a four-fight winning streak.
The biggest match of the night will see Checco square off against Fowler, who’s not lost a single SUG match since he claimed the title from former champion Craig Jones at SUG 16. Fowler most recently competed at the WNO Championship, and though he won his first match against Giancarlo Bodini, he suffered an eye injury during the contest that left him unable to continue. He was told by a doctor that there would be no lasting damage and that he’d be better within a week, and he’ll no doubt be eager to make a comeback by retaining his title once again.
Checco is an MMA fighter who’s competed for promotions including the LFA and RFA. He’s also a decorated jiu-jitsu competitor who’s recently been making an impression in the sub-only scene, competing at EBI and a number of SUG events. He’s currently on a two-match winning streak for the promotion, getting consecutive wins in overtime at SUG 22 and SUG 26.
SUG 27 will take place on Sunday, October 10 and can be watched on UFC FightPass.
