CFFC NextGen 3: Berardelli vs. Oltmanns headlines Atlantic City amateur title fightCFFC NextGen 3: Berardelli vs. Oltmanns headlines Atlantic City amateur doubleheader
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – After two unique events in 2025, Cage Fury Fighting Championships returns with its first The next generation card of the year 2026.
CFFC NextGen 3: Berardelli vs. the Oltmanns takes place Saturday, May 2 at the stunning Sound Waves at Demanding Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, along Atlantic City’s historic boardwalk. The card will feature some of the top emerging amateur fighters in the country two championship fights at the top of the ranking.
The NextGen promotional series has quickly become known for showcasing elite prospects in an intimate setting that provides non-stop action and a tense atmosphere.
Main Event: Cade Berardelli vs. Max Oltmanns for the inaugural 182-pound title
In the main fight of the evening, rising Cade Berardelli (7-1) will face Max Oltmanns (4-2) for the championship title. inaugural CFFC 182-pound championships.
22-year-old Berardelli, representing Webb MMA & Fitness, has become one of the organization’s most invigorating juvenile athletes. Known as “Ace of spades”, comes into the fight with momentum and a reputation for striking aggressively.
The person standing in front of him will be menacing and threatening “Stretched” by Oltmannwho brings a versatile skill set and hopes to win a historic belt in what could prove to be a defining moment in his career.
Co-main event: Undefeated fighters fight for the interim 175-pound belt
The co-main event will be an intriguing fight between two undefeated fighters.
Giorgi Barliani (4-0) faced Jack McCaffrey (5-0). interim 175-pound championship.
With the reigning title holder James Lledo this fight, now sidelined, represents a huge opportunity for both rising fighters to become top contenders in the division.
CFFC CEO Rob Haydak excited about the return of the next generation
According to Rob Haydak, the promotion is expecting another unforgettable night of fights.
“Our first two NextGen events were absolutely amazing and truly some of the most fun fights we have ever hosted,” Haydak said. “When we combine our commitment to creating the best events in sports with the incredible talent of emerging athletes and place it in a spectacular setting like Sound Waves, we get fast-paced, incredible action from start to finish in an evening of action that simply cannot be missed.”
Tickets for both previous NextGen events have sold out, and officials expect the same result for the Atlantic City show.
Additional fights confirmed for CFFC NextGen 3
Several invigorating amateur fights have already been announced, including:
Devon Coates (8-2) vs. James “Florida Boy” Gavra (5-2)
David Crow (3-1) vs. Mike O’Brien (3-1)
Rafael Argenas (4-1) vs. Kson Newborn (2-0-1)
Gavin McQuade (6-2) vs. T’Khi Wood-Smith (5-1)
Cody Harrison (2-0) vs. Jerome Nelson (2-0)
Molly McCormack (2-0) vs. Katelyn Ramos (2-0)
Dilovar Balaev (4-2) vs. Mitch White (5-2)
The NextGen Series continues to focus on identifying and developing the next wave of MMA talent across the United States.
Unique CFFC support for amateur players
Unlike most amateur promotions, the CFFC provides players with extensive support. Competitors competing at Next Generation 3 get facilitate with costs of pre-fight treatment, travel, accommodation and other expenseswhile coaches are also reimbursed for classic running costs.
The initiative reflects the CFFC’s commitment to supporting the next generation of sport in its transition from amateur competition to the professional stage.
Michael
“Venom” Page says his new deal will pay him more than he earned
during his
Ultimate Fighting Championship tenure.
Page had promised an exciting performance against Nursulton
Ruziboev in September, the final bout of his UFC contract. He
won by unanimous decision, but the promotion opted not to re-sign
him. The Englishman now says his move to Misfits Boxing will bring
a substantial increase in earnings.
Michael Page compares three-fight Misfits contract with
earnings from six UFC appearances
Page produced highlight-reel knockouts in Bellator,
but all six of his UFC appearances went the distance. He finished
5-1 in the promotion, with his only loss coming against Ian
Garry.
Page (26-3) said he received offers from several promotions before
signing with Misfits. He expects to earn more from the three-fight
agreement than he did from his six UFC bouts, describing his new
compensation as roughly double what he previously earned. He also
said Misfits intends to launch an MMA show with him as a leading
figure.
“Misfits came with an absolutely crazy deal, which means I’ve
continued to grow and get better financially,†Page told Ariel
Helwani. “They have vision for the future. They're trying to get an
MMA show going, with me kind of lead that way, be the face of that…
I’ve left the UFC and I’m making more money. Like two times more,
maybe just over, and in a shorter period. In a three-fight deal,
I’ll make more than I have my whole UFC contract.â€
MVP reveals he’ll make more money in his
three-fight Misfits deal than he did during his entire UFC run,
with seven figures per fight: “Misfits came with an absolutely
crazy deal, which means I’ve continued to grow and get better
financially. I’ve left the UFC and I’m making more money. Like two
times more, maybe just over, and in a shorter period. In a
three-fight deal, I’ll make more than I have my whole UFC
contract.”
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani)
October 12, 2026
Alistair Overeem wants to be part of the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua boxing card on Dec. 11, and he wants Rico Verhoeven standing across the squared circle.
Overeem shared a post on social media suggesting the bout after mentioning his interest in transitioning to boxing, and issued a callout on his Instagram stories.
“Stop hiding,†Overeem wrote. “Let's make history.â€
Fury vs. Joshua takes place at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, and airs live on Netfilx.
Verhoeven was part of a massive boxing show this past May in Egypt, where he lost via controversial 11th-round stoppage in his boxing debut against heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Prior to that match, Verhoeven remained undefeated in kickboxing for over a decade, reigning as the GLORY heavyweight champion. He was slated to face Overeem in 2021, but the MMA veteran withdrew due to an injury.
The former Strikeforce titleholder won four of his past six UFC bouts, all by knockout, between 2018 and 2021, including a first-round stoppage over Sergei Pavlovich. His UFC run also includes wins over former and future champions Fabricio Werdum, Frank Mir, Brock Lesnar, Junior dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski.
Ismael
Bonfim has been removed from the
Ultimate Fighting Championship roster.
Bonfim's UFC tenure ended after a loss to Francisco
Prado at
UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday. The Brazilian missed the non-title
lightweight limit by 7.5 pounds and forfeited 25% of his purse. He
then suffered a first-round technical knockout before being removed
from the roster.
Ismael Bonfim exits UFC with 2-5 record after third weight miss
and Francisco Prado TKO
This was Bonfim's third weight miss during his UFC tenure. He came
in 3.5 pounds overweight for a scheduled fight against Vinc Pichel
in 2023, prompting the bout's cancellation. Bonfim missed weight by
five pounds against Chris
Padilla last year and lost by knockout. He was finished in his
last four UFC appearances.
Before news of his departure, Bonfim posted a statement Sunday
reflecting on the loss. The 30-year-old thanked his supporters and
said his career was not over.
“Always grateful to God for life, health and every opportunity He
gives me,†Bonfim wrote on Instagram. “Everything doesn’t go as
planned, results don’t always come as desired, but my faith remains
unshakable. Because, above my plans, are God’s plans, and I choose
to trust, even when I don’t understand. Thank you to every person
cheering me on, praying for me and standing by my side no matter
the outcome. You are all part of my story! There are no excuses, no
shame, and much less reason to give up. We’ve come here the hardest
way, facing battles few know about, overcoming fears, breaking
barriers, and fighting against things that go far beyond what
happens inside an octagon. The result of a battle does not define
the value of a warrior, and defeat will never be able to erase the
entire history we have built. I keep my head held high, my heart at
peace and my faith even stronger. Because who knows where he came
from, everything he faced and how much he had to fight to get here,
doesn’t give up because of a result. My story doesn’t end here. God
is still writing the next chapters, and I trust Him completely. All
honor and all glory be given to God!â€
Bonfim earned a UFC contract on
Dana White's Contender Series in 2022 and won his promotional
debut with a flying knee knockout of Terrance
McKinney. He went 1-5 afterward, finishing his UFC tenure at
2-5.