Pensacola has long been a hub for combat sports, and Island Fights has played a crucial role in shaping its reputation. Founded by Dean Toole, Island Fights has become a premier platform for both boxing and mixed martial arts, giving rising stars a chance to showcase their skills before stepping onto the global stage.
No discussion of Island Fights is complete without mentioning Roy Jones Jr., one of the greatest boxers of all time. A Pensacola native, Jones dominated the sport across multiple weight classes, earning world titles and cementing his legacy as a pound-for-pound legend. His connection to Island Fights runs deep—he headlined Island Fights 46, marking his final professional bout in his hometown. And is usually in attendance at the annual Island Fights events.
Island Fights 88 promises another action-packed night on April 18, 2025, featuring a stacked card of amateur MMA and boxing bouts inside the Pensacola Bay Center. The night before Night 1 of WrestleMania fans of combat sports can get a little WrestleMania tuneup Friday night at the Bay Center.
Here is the card for tonight’s matches
- Devin Tigano vs. Preston Whitaker (Welterweight)
Tigano, fighting out of Slidell, LA enters the bout with a 1-0-0 amateur MMA record and a recent weigh-in of 157.0 lbs. His opponent, Whitaker, hailing from New Orleans holds a 1-1-0 amateur record and will be looking to bounce back from his last fight. Both fighters are eager to make a statement in the cage, with Tigano favored by 89% of Tapology community predictions - Jason Coffey vs. Daniel Dorrough (Heavyweight)
Local fighter from Pensacola Jason Coffey, enters the cage with a 0-1-0 amateur MMA record and a fight weight of 265 lbs. His opponent, Dorrough, also hailing from Pensacola, will be making his amateur debut at the same weight class. With Coffey looking to secure his first victory and Dorrough eager to make a strong impression in his debut, this matchup promises fireworks.
- Jesse Gallegos vs. Elias Anders (Featherweight)
Gallegos, fighting out of Valdosta, Georgia, enters the cage with a 2-8-0 amateur MMA record and a fight weight of 145 lbs. His opponent, Anders, hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, holds a 4-7-0 amateur record and will be competing at the same weight class. With both fighters looking to make a statement, this matchup promises an exciting battle.
- Jose Palma vs. Jeremiah Ford (Lightweight)
Palma, from Managua, Nicaragua, enters the cage with a 0-0-0 amateur MMA record and a fight weight of 155 lbs. His opponent, Ford, hailing from Brunswick, GA, holds a 1-1-0 amateur record and will be competing at the same weight class
- Anthony Weaver vs. Brandon Penton (Featherweight)
Weaver, fighting out of Picayune, MSÂ enters the cage with a 1-1-0 amateur MMA record and a fight weight of 144.5 lbs. His opponent, Penton, also hailing from Picayune, Mississippi, will be making his amateur debut at the same weight class.
- Dacey Slayton vs. Natalie Kutzli (Featherweight)
Slayton, fighting out of Jackson, ALÂ enters the cage with a 0-1-0 amateur MMA record and a fight weight of 144.4 lbs. Her opponent, Kutzli, hailing from Hudsonville, MIÂ will be making her amateur debut at the same weight class. With Slayton looking to secure her first victory and Kutzli eager to make a strong impression in her debut.
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