Misfits has moved the heavyweight title fight between Chase DeMoor and Plinio Cruz off its September 26 Miami event, rescheduling the matchup for October 10 at the Copper Box Arena in London.
The change follows earlier confusion: Cruz had announced the bout was off, and the current Misfits heavyweight champion initially disputed that claim. The promotion confirmed the rescheduling on September 18, listing DeMoor vs Plinio Cruz among several bouts for the London card.
It was suggested the timing problem stems from DeMoor's WBC title win at the end of August, which may have left insufficient turnaround time for a late-September return. The October 10 date gives both men additional time ahead of a fight billed as an attempt by Cruz to end DeMoor's long reign as Misfits heavyweight champion.
Plinio Cruz is better known in MMA as a coach, he previously won Coach of the Year at the World MMA Awards for his work with Alex Pereira. Cruz has not fought since the last bout of his 8-9 pro MMA career, but he has spoken about making a return and will now get his next opportunity in London.
The October 10 card will be headlined by Joey Essex, who returns after an exhibition win over Joao Barbosa on his Misfits debut last year and who previously shared a card with Darren Till, Tony Ferguson, and Dillon Danis. Misfits announced the full London lineup alongside the DeMoor, Cruz rebooking, which also includes Joey Essex vs. Dapper Laughs (C), Big Stacks vs. Tom Skinner, Swarmz vs. Ambush, Leaks World vs. TBA (C), Carla Jade vs. Erika Knight for the Misfits women's lightweight title, and a tag team pairing of Nitboy & Kane West vs. Cracky Tokky & Little T.
The immediate consequence is the removal of a heavyweight title fight from Misfits' late-September Miami slate and the consolidation of marquee bouts into the October card in London. The promotion's schedule and matchmaking will now hinge on the outcome of the newly timed DeMoor, Cruz clash and the remainder of the announced London fight card.
