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).