The Future Stars of MMA!

Event notes

The next superstars of mixed martial arts are returning to action in Sin City, and a pair of championship belts will be on the line. “Tuff-N-Uff: The Future Stars of MMA” – Las Vegas' premier amateur mixed martial arts organization – returns to the Orleans Hotel & Casino's Mardi Gras Ballroom on Friday, April 8, with the 15-bout event "Tuff-N-Uff: Jackson vs. Lilly," featuring title fights in the men’s welterweight and women’s 115-pound divisions. The night’s main event sees Tuff-N-Uff welterweight champion Eddie Jackson (6-2) put his title on the line against striking specialist Lee Henry Lilly (4-1) in a bout guaranteed to deliver fireworks. A seven-time Tuff-N-Uff veteran, Jackson looks to defend his belt for the first time since earning the title with a hard-fought decision win over Joe Angelo this past October. While Jackson went the distance in claiming the belt, the Legends MMA product earned his previous five wins by knockout, and three of his opponents didn’t make it past the first minute. Meanwhile, Striking Unlimited’s Lilly is a three-time Tuff-N-Uff veteran who also went three rounds with Angelo in earning his shot at the title. The Ken Hahn protégé has earned a big Las Vegas following with his trademark hyper-aggressive style. The night’s co-main event sees women’s 115-pound champion Ashley “Smashley” Cummins (7-0) put her belt on the line – not to mention her incredible seven-fight win streak. Cummins earned the title this past May with an impressive upset win of Wand Fight Team’s Gabriella Lakoczy. She’s since earned a tournament victory under the HOOKnSHOOT banner with two victories in a single night. Facing Cummins is fighting twin Jocelyn Lybarger (3-0). The undefeated prospect, returns to the Tuff-N-Uff cage for the first time since July. Once again, she’ll have the locker room support of her sister, Jillian Lybarger, who also enters the cage at the April 8 event.