PFC signs former NCAA wrestling Champion
Posted on | May 8, 2007 | No Comments
LEMOORE — The Palace Fighting Championship® (PFC™) is proud to announce that one of the most exciting mixed martial arts prospects to hit the scene in recent memory has been added to the loaded July 19th card at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino. Former Oklahoma State all-American wrestler Mark Munoz will make his PFC debut at PFC 3 “Step Up”.
Munoz’s opponent for a light heavyweight showdown has yet to be announced. He won the 2001 NCAA championship during his senior season at Oklahoma State.
“We’re extremely excited to see Munoz bring his talents into the PFC ring. He’s a guy that has been talked about for a long time now and to see him begin his MMA career in the PFC is special. It’s just the beginning for the guy and we’re proud that his journey towards superstardom will begin at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino,” Palace Entertainment Director Christian Printup said. “The long history of our venue catapulting fighter’s careers continues on July 19th.”
Munoz brings Olympic-level wrestling and top-quality MMA training, as a member of the talent rich Capitol City Fighting Alliance, which features such MMA greats as Urijah Faber, Scott Smith and James Irvin.
Munoz captured two Big 12 titles and earned back-to-back all-America honors at 197 pounds. He also made the NWCA all-academic team for three years and the Big 12 all-academic squad for four. Additionally, Munoz was a three-year member of the FILA Junior World Wrestling Team, earning the silver medal in 1998.
Munoz joins a card that already features:
— The MMA debut of K1 veteran, and undefeated professional boxer Las Vegas’ Dewey Cooper.
— World Extreme Cagefighting veteran Fresno’s Casey “Underdog” Olson (4-1) vs. Stockton’s Brandon Jinnies (1-3) in a lightweight bout.
— Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Jason Von Flue (12-7-1) of San Luis Obispo vs. WEC veteran Lemoore’s Chris Botelho (2-2) in a welterweight bout.
— Calousa’s Ruben “Warpath” Villareal (11-12-3) vs. WEC veteran Rafael del Real (3-5) of Tulare in a heavyweight contest.
— Sacramento’s David Espinosa (3-0) vs. Porterville’s Shawn Klarcyk (5-1) for the PFC Bantamweight Championship.
— Former Nevada State wrestling champion Angelo Antuna (4-0) vs Seth Dikun (0-1) in a featherweight contest.
Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, May 18th at 10 a.m. with public tickets on sale at $20, $30 and $40. Tickets can be obtained through any tickets.com outlet, including the Internet, tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 1-8000-225-2277 or in person at The Tachi Palace Gift Shop.