Amazon Kid’s visa issues have forced Black Combat to reshuffle multiple matchups for the upcoming BnD Black Cup Semifinals, with Viper now expected to face Chang Hyeon Shin instead of the Brazilian flyweight.
One of the tournament’s most anticipated international matchups has fallen apart after Brazilian flyweight Thomas “Amazon Kid” Assis was unable to travel to South Korea because of visa issues, forcing the promotion to completely rethink its plans for Viper (Sung Woong Kim) and several other fighters.
The unexpected withdrawal comes only weeks after Amazon Kid publicly called out Viper on social media, creating one of the most talked-about rivalries heading into the tournament.
Amazon Kid Called Out Viper Before Withdrawing
Interest in the matchup exploded after Amazon Kid posted an Instagram story targeting Viper, prompting RingSide Combat to highlight the growing rivalry.
The post described Amazon Kid, who made his Black Combat debut in a title fight against Tank, challenging “Mr. Black Combat” himself following Viper’s memorable war against Umawang at Black Combat 16: Exodus.
For many fans, it appeared the flyweight showdown was only a matter of time.
Instead, the matchup never materialized.
Black Combat Explains the Situation
In a recently released behind-the-scenes training episode, Black Combat officials revealed that Amazon Kid’s inability to obtain a visa ultimately forced him out of the tournament.
According to the promotion, Amazon Kid never completed the lengthy process required to apply for his visa, resulting in the fight being scrapped and forcing the promotion to reorganize several matchups on short notice.
Rather than hiding the setback, Black Combat openly documented the internal matchmaking discussions, giving fans an unusual look at how quickly a single withdrawal can reshape an event.
Viper’s New Opponent Appears to Be Tigro
With Amazon Kid no longer available, the promotion debated several replacement opponents for Viper.
During the episode, officials discussed the possibility of a rematch with Indian King before ultimately leaning toward bantamweight standout Chang Hyeon Shin, better known as Tigro, as the preferred replacement.
The matchup would move Viper outside his natural weight class, but Black Combat believes it could provide one of the tournament’s most compelling fights while preserving Viper’s momentum.
Although the fight has not yet been formally announced, the behind-the-scenes discussions strongly indicate Tigro is now the leading option.
Event Date and Venue Still Unconfirmed
The matchmaking changes come as Black Combat continues making adjustments to the BnD Black Cup Semifinals.
The promotion recently announced that an unexpected venue issue has delayed confirmation of both the event date and location.
Black Combat stated that the official schedule and venue will be announced once final arrangements have been completed, while apologizing to fans for the delay.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the logistics, the promotion has confirmed that Psycho (Victor Hugo) and Ares (Tae Kyun Kim) are expected to headline the event.
Black Combat Quickly Turns Setback Into Opportunity
While Amazon Kid’s withdrawal forced Black Combat to rethink part of the BnD Black Cup Semifinals, the promotion wasted little time finding a compelling alternative.
Rather than quietly replacing the bout, Black Combat gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at the matchmaking process before revealing Chang Hyeon Shin (Tigro) as Viper’s expected new opponent. The matchup immediately generated excitement across social media, with many fans embracing the unexpected pairing.
Comments on Black Combat’s announcement included reactions such as, “Viper, let’s go!! What an incredible matchup,” while another fan called Tigro vs. Viper “a real must-watch fight.“
Instead of dwelling on Amazon Kid’s absence, much of the conversation quickly shifted toward the new matchup and what it could mean for both fighters.
Although the promotion is still finalizing the event’s date and venue, Black Combat’s rapid response demonstrated its ability to adapt when unforeseen circumstances arise. If fan reaction is any indication, the BnD Black Cup Semifinals may have lost one anticipated fight but gained another that many supporters are just as eager to see.
Full announcement video available, courtesy of Black Combat’s Youtube channel.
About The Author
