Garcia, Cancino battle for State Title and more

FRESNO, Calif. – Call it the perfect storm or the stars aligning, but when Carlos Garcia and Eugene Cancino meet in the 559 Fights cage Friday, Dec. 12 at the Valdez Hall in Fresno, it will be the most meaningful fight in California amateur mixed martial arts history.

Two championships will be decided with just one fight.

 “We had an opportunity to do something that no other promotion has been able to do in hosting the CAMO State Amateur Championship Finals,” said 559 Fights President Jeremy Luchau. “When we saw our current champ had won the SoCal regional and that Fresno’s Cancino had won the NorCal regional, it just made sense to try and make it something special.”

Garcia, the 559 Fights flyweight champion, will put his title on the line against Cancino, and both will compete for a CAMO State title in the 559 Fights 31 main event.

“Garcia versus Cancino is a truly unique bout, as it is for a State Title and the 559 Fights Title. Somehow, the stars aligned and the biggest regional bout also happens to be for the State Title,” CAMO President JT Steele said. “The bout will be electric in every way and represents the quality of MMA that 559 Fights promotes on a monthly basis. 559 Fights has become one of the most elite MMA events in the country and we are proud to work with them.”

Garcia (4-1) has won four straight bouts since opening his career in defeat. He defeated long-time 559 Fights champ Manuel Ruiz in June by split decision and then knocked off Heinrich Wassmer in the Southern California Regional Championships.

“I’m very excited for this fight because it will be my last amateur fight. The fact that I’ll be fighting for the State Title and defending my 559 Fights title at once makes me hungry for the win,” Garcia said. “I know very little about my opponent… just that he is a wrestler. At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter what I know about or what he does. I’ve been training hard for this fight and have my own game plan set up.”

Cancino has amassed a perfect 5-0 record since starting his career in 2013. He has won four fights in 2014, including a decision victory over Daniel Moore in the Northern California Regional Final.

“It feels good to be fighting in my hometown and to have the crowd supporting me. It’s a pretty big fight just because it’s two titles on the line, which makes the fight that much more exciting for me, my opponent and the crowd,” Cancino said. “My opponent is definitely tough. He seems like he’s a good wrestler and that’s where I think I match up with him. We both know what it’s like to grind it out and it should be a fun fight for us.”

Garcia and Cancino are also currently ranked first and second respectively in the CAMO State Rankings.

“This is really just the icing on the cake of a huge night of fights in Fresno. It’s an honor to host the CAMO State Finals and the very best amateur MMA athletes from around the state,” Luchau said. “Locally, we have a few fighters in the state finals and have a loaded undercard of talent as well.”

In the co-main event, Fresno middleweight Jesse James (6-1) defends his State Title against an opponent yet to be announced.

“The California State Championships is the most important amateur event in the sport of MMA, as it is the only true state championship in the country,” Steele said.  “The state championships represents the best amateur fighters from a pool of more than 4,000 amateur athletes, the largest amateur program in the world. Athletes are selected to compete in the tournament by algorithmic computer program which intelligently mines data to identify the best talent.”

Here is a look at the rest of the tournament field;

559 Fights lightweight champion Luis Vargas (8-2) drops to featherweight to compete with La Habra’s Jacob Rosales (7-0) for the 145-pound state title.

Milpitas bantamweight Isaiah Gonzalez (9-5-1) vs. Orange’s Edgar Gonzalez (6-2) for the 135-pound state title.

Stockton light heavyweight Oscar Castro (4-1) vs. Los Angeles’ Osman Diaz (5-2) for the 205-pound ttate title.

San Jose lightweight JJ Okanovich (9-3) vs. Covina’s Javier Garcia (7-3) for the 155-pound state title.

Pleasanton cruiserweight William Smith (3-0) vs. Pico Rivera’s Michael Quintero (3-0) for the 230-pound state title.

Salinas welterweight Alex Lopez (11-3) vs. San Bernardino’s Mathew Arriola (6-0) for the 170-pound state title.

Cardiff by the Sea heavyweight Scott Steele vs. North Hollywood’s Segio Marroquin (5-0-1) for the 265-pound state title.

“CAMO is proud to bring the State Championship Finals to Fresno and the Central Valley. The Central Valley has become of the most active MMA communities in the country and deserves to host the 2014 California State Championships, because of the quality of athletes that call central California home and for the dedicated fans that support local fighters on a regular basis,” Steele said. “When thinking about all the great regional MMA hotspots in the country, the Central Valley of California is as hot as it gets.”

559 Fights will also host six action-packed undercard bouts.

Tickets for this event start at just $20 and can be purchased at the Fresno Convention Center Box Office.

Official weigh-ins will be Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Holiday Inn Fresno Airport starting at 6 p.m.

For more information visit www.559fights.com.

De Leon steps in to challenge Marks for 559 Fights gold

VISALIA, Calif. – Undefeated 559 Fights Welterweight Champion Garrett Marks will put his title on the line Saturday at Visalia’s Holiday Inn against Visalia’s own Jonathan De Leon.

De Leon stepped in on short notice after an injury forced Farmersville’s Jeffrey Lewis from the fight.

Tickets start at just $20 and can be purchased at Nutrishop Visalia on Mooney Blvd. in the InShape City parking lot.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and fights start at 7.

“It was unfortunate that Lewis was injured, but I was really excited when Jonathan decided to move up in weight and take the fight to keep it a local fight,” said 559 Fights President Jeremy Luchau. “De Leon fights locally at Vitruvian Fight and Fitness and they’re an up-and-coming gym with some great talent. It was a blessing to not have to go outside of our area for a fighter.”

Marks has compiled a 4-0 record, fighting in several different weight classes and will be defending his title for the first time.

“Garrett is one of those guys that is on the brink of moving on to the pro-circuit,” Luchau said. “I expect both guys to do more slugging in this fight than wrestling. It’s an excellent main event under the circumstances.”

559 Fights has 10 bouts scheduled at the Holiday Inn and features a pair of 559 Fights featherweight tournament bouts.

Bakersfield featherweight Holt Felkins (4-0-1) takes on Escalon’s Steven Ronneburg (3-1) and Visalia’s Devon Chavez (2-2) battles Coalinga’s Domingo Ramirez (2-0).

“We’ve had a huge amount of turnover with our champions moving on to the pro level and I felt like there wasn’t a clear cut pair of fighters I wanted to have fight for a title,” Luchau said.

“There was a handful of guys worthy of the shot, so what better way to settle it than to have them compete against one another.”

The winners of the two semifinals will square off for the 559 Fights Featherweight Title on January 16^th, 2015 at the Lemoore Recreation Center at 559 Fights 32.

559 Fights will also put Bakersfield bantamweight Marcel Cyprian (6-2) against Alex Valencia (4-2) in a bantamweight semifinal.

“I wanted to do the same thing in the 135-pound weight class, but we had some injuries and have had to move one of the semifinals to our December event in Fresno,” Luchau said.

“But the bantamweight semifinal we do have on deck between Cyprian and Valencia is an amazing bout. This could certainly be a title fight.”

Like the 145-pound tournament, the semifinalists will square off in Lemoore in January.

Weighins will be held at CrossFit West Visalia at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. Weighins are free and open to the public.

VIP Tables, Front Row seats and VIP Packages are still available and can be purchased by calling 559-813-0307.

In other bouts;

-Ceres flyweight Mike Tubera (5-1) vs. Fresno’s Carlos Hernandez (5-3).

-Fresno light heavyweight James Porter (0-0) vs. Fresno’s Daniel Manriques (0-0).

-Fresno welterweight Dustin Toby (0-1) vs. Lindsay’s Ignacio Guzman (0-0).

-Visalia featherweight Diego Orozco (0-0) vs. Ridgecrest’s Brandon O’Baker (0-0).

-Visalia lightweight Brandon Jacobo (0-0) vs. Farmersville’s Miguel Quiroz (0-0).

-Ridgecrest lightweight Victor Rico (2-1) vs. Farmersville’s Frank Salazar (0-0).

Cantu, James headline 559 Fights in return to The Big Fresno Fair

FRESNO, Calif. – 559 Fights will once again drop it’s cage on the infield of The Big Fresno Fair Horse Track for one of the largest amateur mixed martial arts event of the year on Sunday, October 5.

Kerman’s Leo Cantu faces Fresno’s Jesse James in one of the biggest amateur showdowns of the season.

Cantu (10-3-1) is the No. 1 ranked Light Heavyweight in the state and has been one of the veteran’s of the amateur circuit and faces the No. 2 ranked Middleweight in the state in James (5-1), who moves up a weight class to test himself.

“As 559 Fights has grown, so has the talent pool within Central California,” said 559 Fights President Jeremy Luchau. 

“This is our 30^th event in less than three years and for us to be able to host the quality of fighters that we are now is a blessing.”

 559 Fights will be live and free as one of The Big Fresno Fair’s top attractions for the 2014 fair. Fight tickets are free with paid admission into the fair.

“We have anywhere between 3,500 to 5,000 people walk through the gates and watch 559 Fights last year,” Luchau said. “We had an amazing event and exposed a lot of people to the sport and our athletes that might not have been able to see them under different circumstances. I really appreciate and respect the fair for believing in our product and sharing it within the fair community.”

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the first fight is at 8.

In the co-main event, 559 Fights Lightweight champion Luis Vargas (7-2) defends his title for the first time against Tulare’s Eric Diaz (4-3).

“Vargas came in and shocked the Valley when he won the title. He proved that he is one of the top athletes in the state and is now a finalist in the state tournament along with defending his title at 559 Fights,” Luchau said. “Diaz is a guy who has always fought tough fights and the best we had to offer. It will be interesting to see which fighter can impose their will.”

13 other bouts are also scheduled on the fight card, which includes some of the Central Valley’s top amateur talent.

Reserve seating, front-row seating and VIP tables are available. Call 559-813-0307 for more information.

For more information about 559 Fights visit www.559fights.com

Solorio defends 559 Fights strap in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. – Evan Solorio makes his long-awaited return to the 559 Fights cage on Friday, July 18^th in Fresno at Valdez Hall.

The current 559 Fights Lightweight Champion defends his amateur mixed martial arts title in the main event of a 15-bout, fight-card against San Jose’s Luis Vargas.

“Each time out our fight cards continue to get stronger and stronger as the talent level in the Central Valley continues to grow,” 559 Fights President Jeremy Luchau said. “Solorio is one of the most popular champions we’ve ever had, but has missed some time with an injury. I know everyone is as excited as I am to see him compete again.”

Tickets for this event start at just $20 and can be purchased at the Fresno Convention Center Box Office, Nutrishop Visalia or www.559fights.com. VIP Table and Front Row seating info call 559-813-0307.

Solorio (5-2) will defend his 155-pound crown for the first time, after winning the vacant title in December 2013 against Armando Perez.

Vargas (6-2) has won two of his last three bouts by submission and is ranked fifth in the state.

“These are two of the top lightweights in the state squaring off in what’s become one of the most consistent shows in the state,” Luchau said.

In the co-main event, Modesto bantamweight Daniel Oseguera (4-2) takes on Exeter’s Anthony Torres (7-2) for the vacant 135-pound 559 Fights Championship.

“Our first-ever title was fought at 135 pounds and I’m excited to have that title back on the line for this event,” Luchau said. “Oseguera and Torres have both put in a lot of work and are state ranked. I couldn’t think of a better title fight right now.”

Former 559 Fights Welterweight Champion Art Hernandez (9-3) of Fresno will make his lightweight debut against Bakersfield’s Marcel Cyprian (6-1-1).

“Hernandez and Cyprian is another example of two guys that are making some adjustments in their weight to get the best possible fight available,” Luchau said. “Hernandez is a Top 10 Welterweight and Cyprian is a Top 10 Featherweight.”

Kerman’s Leo Cantu (9-3-1) will make his light heavyweight debut against Madera’s Chris Huerta (6-8).

Also on the card are two pivotal flyweight contests, as Fresno’s Eugene Cancino (3-0) takes on Fresno’s Ricardo Sanchez (2-0) and Bakersfield’s Rafael Hernandez (5-2) fights Carlos Hernandez (3-3).

In other bouts;

-Escalon featherweight Steve Ronneberg (2-1) vs. Farmersville’s Juan Campos (3-1).

-Hanford lightweight Jesse Solorio (0-0) vs. Coalinga’s Domingo Ramirez (1-0).

-Selma lightweight Bernabe Herrera (1-0) vs. Mariposa’s Justin Land (1-0).

-Visalia bantamweight Aaron Warnke (2-1) vs. Huron’s Rudy Soto (1-1).

-Fresno lightweight Bryant Franklin (1-1) vs. Stockton’s Anthony Taylor (0-1).

-Selma bantamweight Sam Fierro (1-0) vs. Madera’s Matthew Beasley (0-0).

-Fresno welterweight Patrick Baker (0-0) vs. Ridgecrest’s Victor Rico (0-0).

 -Fresno heavyweight Maurice Jordan (0-1) vs. Lemoore’s Tyrell Mayfield (0-3).

-Fresno light heavyweight James Porter (0-0) vs. Hanford’s Joseph Longoria (0-6).

559 Fights returns to Fresno this Friday

Fresno, Calif. – This Friday amateur mixed martial arts action returns to Valdez Hall in Fresno with 559 Fights.

Central California’s premier amateur fight promotion holds it’s 27^th event and brings some of the best local MMA competition to downtown Fresno.+

 

“We love being able to bring MMA to downtown Fresno and feature some of the best in local amateur talent,” 559 Fights President Jeremy Luchau said. “We are closing in on another sellout show, featuring three title fights and 28 of the best athletes in our area.”

Tickets for the 14-bout card start at just $20 and can be purchased at the Fresno Convention Center Box Office, Nutrishop Visalia and online at www.559fights.com.

VIP Table, Front Row and Sponsorship information please contact 559 Fights President Jeremy Luchau at 559-813-0307.

In the main event, Fresno featherweight James Spear (5-7-1) takes on Sacramento’s Joseph Morales (6-0-1) and in the co-main event Fresno welterweight Garret Marks (3-0) battles Visalia’s Armando Perez (4-1).

“We put together a pretty solid main and co-main event. A lot of people are talking about these two fights,” Luchau said. “But we also have a couple other fights on the card that could really headline in other card in the Valley this year.”

559 Fights Flyweight Champion Manuel Ruiz makes his return to action against San Bernardino’s Carlos Garcia.

Ruiz will defend his title for the third time and carries a No. 2 State ranking and 7-0-1 record into the bout with Garcia (2-1, ranked No. 5).

“Ruiz is probably the hardest fighter to book fights for,” Luchau said. “I’m really pumped to see him get back into the cage and on short notice against a highly ranked fighter like Garcia.”

Also featured is a pair of featherweight showdown betweens the undefeated Selma prospect Archie Tovar (4-0) and Bakersfield’s Marcel Cyprian (5-1-1) and Farmersville’s Jesse Ledesma (3-1) and Parlier’s Juan Diaz (2-0).

“The featherweight class is loaded with talent right now. I think that we are displaying some of the best talent in the state right now,” Luchau said. “These guys have two losses against 14 wins between the four fighters. I’d say that’s a pretty talented group.”

In other bouts;

-Fresno bantamweight Anthony Martinez (0-1) vs. Visalia’s Aaron Warnke (2-1).

-Delano bantamweight Alex Renteria (0-0) vs. Selma’s Sam Fierro (0-0).

-Fresno welterweight Julio Lopez (2-0) vs. Modesto’s Jesus Lopez (0-0).

-Fresno featherweight Jimmy Ang (2-4) vs. Fresno’s Hugo Lopez (1-4).

-Fresno cruiserweight Tyler Benard (1-0) vs. San Leandro’s Amir Lacy (3-0).

-Fresno lightweight Bryant Franklin (1-0) vs. Visalia’s Fabian Luevano (2-3-1).

-Delano lightweight Jefferson Banaag (0-0) vs. Coalinga’s Domingo Ramirez (0-0).

-Escalon lightweight Steve Ronneberg (1-1) vs. Delano’s Chris Marron (0-0). 

-Fresno middleweight Patrick Baker (0-0) vs. Kingsburg’s Julio Garcia (2-1).