Chaz Blevins built his name in New Line Cagefighting by winning championships in two sports. On October 10, he returns with a new goal: his first professional MMA victory.
The former NLC amateur light heavyweight MMA champion and amateur heavyweight boxing champion faces Carl Darbouze in the main event of NLC 49 at the Boyd Convention and Arts Center in Catlettsburg, Kentucky.
Known as “The Chazmanian Devil,” Blevins finished his amateur MMA career undefeated at 6–0. All six victories came inside the distance, with four TKOs and two submissions.
His accomplishments extended beyond NLC. Blevins also captured the Ohio Combat League amateur light heavyweight championship and climbed to No. 1 in Tapology’s United States amateur light heavyweight rankings before turning professional.
Blevins began his training at Thrive Tribe Boxing under BJ Robinson. He now trains at Hybrid MMA in Lexington, Kentucky under Sean Stefanic, carrying those early boxing foundations into his professional MMA career.
NLC fans have watched that development firsthand.
His first recorded NLC appearance came in boxing on November 11, 2023, when he stopped Jevonte Myers in the second round. When he stepped into the NLC cage for his amateur MMA debut at NLC 24 on May 18, 2024, he needed just 35 seconds to submit Antonio Robinson with a rear-naked choke.
The finishes continued at NLC 34 on May 10, 2025, with a first-round TKO over Justin Budelman. Blevins then added championship success in both sports during the summer of 2025.
On June 21, he defeated Eli Adkins by unanimous decision to capture the vacant NLC amateur heavyweight boxing championship. Less than two months later, at NLC 37 on August 16, he submitted JR Cochran in the opening round to claim the vacant NLC amateur light heavyweight MMA championship.
Those performances left Blevins with five victories in five NLC appearances: three in MMA and two in boxing. Every one of his NLC MMA wins ended in the first round.
His ability also presented a challenge behind the scenes. For NLC, finding suitable amateur opponents for Blevins was difficult because of the level of skill he brought to each matchup. An unbeaten record, consistent finishes and championship success made him a demanding assignment for another developing fighter.
After a setback in his professional debut, Blevins now returns to the promotion where he earned two of his amateur titles. Across from him will be Darbouze, a 3–2 professional representing MMA Science Academy in Hialeah, Florida.
Darbouze is pursuing a successful comeback. Blevins has the opportunity to turn his return into a breakthrough of his own, earning his first professional win in an NLC main event.
NLC 49 takes place October 10, 2026, at the Boyd Convention and Arts Center in Catlettsburg, Kentucky. Fights begin at 6 p.m.
View the complete NLC 49 fight card and purchase your tickets today.
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