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.

MAD MARCOS HERNANDEZ RETURNS THIS SATURDAY

FRESNO, CA (September 3, 2014) - Fresno's unbeaten welterweight prospect, "Mad" Marcos Hernandez (2-0) makes his way back to the ring this Saturday, September 6th, when he faces Will Walters (2-3-1, 1 KO) at the SOS Club in Modesto, California.  Hernandez who stands 6'2, will battle Walters in a 4-round bout.

Signed by world renowned manager Al Haymon, Hernandez is a towering welterweight with a great chin and an aggressive style.  He'll look to keep his unbeaten streak alive with a dominating performance against Walters, who's won his last two fights.  

With the bout taking place in Modesto near his hometown of Fresno, Hernandez is expecting a lot of family and friends to come show support.  Hernandez will be gunning for the knockout.

"I'm ready to make a statement in this fight," said Hernandez. "I've been in some good camps and got some great sparring to get ready for this fight.  I know Walters has won his last couple of fights so I'm looking forward to a tough fight.  There will be a lot of family and friends coming out to watch this fight so I'm very excited to put on a great show.  I'm always looking for the knockout and if I hurt my opponent early, I'll be looking to take him out."

"We really like the way Hernandez is coming along," said Luis Decubas Jr. "He's hungry to show everyone in the boxing community that he's for real.  He has a fighter in Walters who's coming off a few wins, so he's confidence is high and I think this will be a good competitive fight for Hernandez, who I'm expecting to come out on top."

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).

Three titles on the line June 13 for 559 Fights in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. – Three 559 Fights Titles are on the line Friday, June 13 in Fresno at Valdez Hall.

In the main event, Fresno’s James Spear takes on Sacramento’s Joseph Morales for the newly vacant Featherweight Championship.

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

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

“This is a main event where both fighters are looking for some redemption,” Luchau explained. “Spear was disqualified in his last title fight and wants to show the Valley what he is really all about. Meanwhile, Morales is fighting for the first time in over a year after suffering an injury.”

Spear (5-7-1) was disqualified in his April fight with Archie Tovar (4-0) after an illegal knee to the head. Tovar vacated the title right after the event, which opened the 145 division up.

“Spear was disappointed. He maintains, and I believe him, that he didn’t do anything intentional. I also don’t think Tovar wanted to win a title that way and that’s why he vacated the title,” Luchau said.

Morales (6-0-1) announced he was ready for a return and the match-up was set.

“Morales has fought for 559 Fights a couple of times and has proven to be a great competitor,” Luchau said. “He has been a pleasure to work with inside and outside of the cage. I’ve really been looking forward to him headlining an event for a long time.”

In the co-main event, Fresno’s Garret Marks (3-0) will battle Visalia’s Armando Perez (4-1) for the vacant Welterweight Championship. Former 170-pound champ Art Hernandez (9-3) vacated the title after his defense in April and will move down to 155 pounds and compete in July.

Visalia’s Manuel Ruiz defends his 559 Fights Flyweight title for the third time, stepping into the cage against San Bernardino’s Carlos Garcia (2-1), who is ranked No. 5 in the State.

“I’ve had the toughest time matching Manuel Ruiz. He’s ranked No. 2 in the State and a fierce competitor in the cage. He turned in a fight-of-the-year type fight with Jorge Lima in March,” Luchau said. “Carlos is one of the guys that’s always seemed interested in the fight and finally schedules matched up and we could make it happen.”

Two other key 145-pound fights will also take place. Selma’s Tovar makes his return against Sacramento’s Marcel Cyprian (5-1-1) and Parlier’s Juan Diaz (2-0) faces Farmersville’s Jesse Ledesma (3-1).

“There two fights are certainly main event and co-main event worthy,” Luchau said. “I’m excited that we can add such depth to our fight cards.”

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 featherweight Steve Ronneberg (1-1) vs. TBA

-Delano lightweight Chris Marron (0-0) vs. TBA

-Fresno middleweight Patrick Baker (0-0) vs. Bakersfield’s Mike Stevens (1-0).