3 Title Fights headline WFC 13 in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – West Coast Fighting Championship returns to the McClellan Conference Center on Saturday, February 28^th with three WFC Title fights.

In the main event, Team Alpha Male’s Josh Emmett defends his lightweight crown against Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Ernest Chavez.

“I feel like Emmett has been one of the best kept secrets in California. I’ve been watching him develop for some time now and he is taking a step up to hopefully make a push to the next,” West Coast Fighting Championship matchmaker Jeremy Luchau said.  

Emmett (7-0) defeated Brandon Ricetti in the main event of WFC 12 in November. He’s been one of the most consistent competitors in the WFC circuit since debuting for the promotion in 2013.

Meanwhile, Chavez (7-2) was recently released from the UFC after a 1-2 stint where he saw action at both featherweight and lightweight.

“EJ is one of those guys that got into the UFC a little early in his career and might have needed a little more time to mature. I feel like he performed well and is a guy you will see back at that level sooner than later,” Luchau added.

General admission tickets are just $50 with tickets in rows 3-6 for $70, rows 1-2 for $100 and VIP seats are $150. Tickets can be purchased at www.westcoastfighting.com.

 In the co-main event, WFC Heavyweight Champion Dave Huckaba defends his title against UFC vet Jack May.

“This is the type of fight where some one is going to get knocked out,” Luchau said of the heavyweight clash. “When have you ever seen either guy in a boring fight. Huckaba has fought everywhere and against everyone and May is an up-and-coming star in a lot of people’s eyes.”  

Huckaba (22-7) picked up the title in 2013 with a TKO victory over Carter Williams. The journeymen has since turned in a 2-1 record in World Series of Fighting and will be looking to defend his title for the first time.

May (7-2) was recently released from the UFC after suffering back-to-back TKO losses. The 6-foot-8 striker has six wins by knockout.

Also, featured on the card is a vacant WFC Flyweight Title fight, pitting Team Alpha Male prospect Hector “Alex” Sandoval against Oscar Ramirez.

Sandoval (8-2) is the former Tachi Palace Fights 125-pound kingpin. He racked up eight straight victories before being stopped by current UFC flyweight Willie Gates in November.

“Sandoval was one of the hottest young prospects in the flyweight division before his loss to Gates and I think it’s only a matter of time before he reaches his full potential and we see him fighting in the UFC,” Luchau said. “Ramirez record might not be the best, but he’s a guy that has three wins at WFC and is a gamer. He’s some one that wanted to step up and fight a fight no one else in California wanted.”

Ramirez (3-2) is coming off a loss to Matt Ramirez, but has been a mainstay in WFC where he’s picked up all three of his victories.

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.

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

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).

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).