Inaugural Fight Club PHX Brings Combat Sports to Downtown Phoenix

The Arizona Center hosted the new open-air MMA and boxing event on April 18, 2026.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:43pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the action and movement of combat sports matches, with sharp planes of red, blue, and yellow conveying the intensity of the fights.The dynamic energy and raw athleticism of Fight Club PHX's inaugural event come to life in a cubist-inspired illustration.Phoenix Today

The inaugural Fight Club PHX event took place at the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix on April 18, 2026, featuring two rings for combat sports and plenty of space for fans. The event showcased a variety of MMA and boxing matches, with local and regional fighters competing in the open-air setting. Notable attendees included former professional boxer Shawn 'Showtime' Porter and Sulem Urbina, a former member of Mexico's Olympic Boxing Team.

Why it matters

The launch of Fight Club PHX represents a growing interest in combat sports in the Phoenix area, providing a new platform for local and regional fighters to showcase their skills. The event's open-air format and location in a high-traffic downtown area also aim to attract a wider audience and generate excitement around the sport.

The details

The Fight Club PHX event featured two rings for MMA and boxing matches, with fighters like Alejandro Quero Lopez, Loai Abushaar, Jorge Mendez, and Joe Corrigan competing in the open-air setting. The event also attracted notable figures in the boxing world, including former professional boxer Shawn 'Showtime' Porter and Sulem Urbina, a former member of Mexico's Olympic Boxing Team.

  • Fight Club PHX took place on April 18, 2026.
  • The event was the inaugural edition of the new combat sports showcase.

The players

Alejandro Quero Lopez

A fighter who competed in an MMA match at Fight Club PHX.

Loai Abushaar

A fighter who competed in an MMA match against Alejandro Quero Lopez at Fight Club PHX.

Jorge Mendez

A fighter who competed in an MMA match against Joe Corrigan at Fight Club PHX.

Joe Corrigan

A fighter who competed in an MMA match against Jorge Mendez at Fight Club PHX.

Shawn 'Showtime' Porter

A former professional boxer who attended Fight Club PHX.

Sulem Urbina

A former member of Mexico's Olympic Boxing Team who attended Fight Club PHX.

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What they’re saying

“The energy and excitement of the fights really captured the spirit of combat sports in Phoenix.”

— Shawn 'Showtime' Porter, Former Professional Boxer

“It was great to see so many talented fighters from the region showcase their skills in front of an enthusiastic crowd.”

— Sulem Urbina, Former Member of Mexico's Olympic Boxing Team

What’s next

Organizers have announced that Fight Club PHX will return for a second edition in 2027, with plans to expand the event and attract even more top-level fighters and spectators.

The takeaway

The successful launch of Fight Club PHX demonstrates the growing popularity of combat sports in the Phoenix area and the demand for high-quality events that provide a platform for local and regional fighters to compete. The open-air format and downtown location helped to generate excitement and draw in a diverse audience.