Spiritwolf and Lopez clash in key welterweight tilt

Posted on | April 8, 2011 | No Comments

Lemoore, Calif. – If there is one fight that isn’t getting the “hype” that it deserves, it would certainly be a welterweight showdown between Las Vegas, Nev.’s Jorge Lopez and San Diego, Calif.’s Waachiim Spiritwolf.

The pair clash on Friday, May 6^th at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif. in what will prove to be a pivotal 170-pound tilt for Tachi Palace Fights.

“I’ve seen some of his fights and honestly, I’m a fan,” said Lopez (8-1), who carries an 8-fight win streak into the contest. “I really like his style of fighting. He is intense and won’t let up for one minute and he is going to keep coming forward.”

Coming forward and not giving up is what’s made Spirtwolf (9-7-1) one of the more exciting fighters to watch these days. He is coming off of a split decision win and fight-of-the-night performance against Jamie Jara (30-9) in Bellator on March 5^th.

The fight with Jara was liked so much; Bellator opted to use it the following week on the televised portion of its show.

“I love fighting out in Lemoore. The people there really love watching the fights and have become fans of mine,” said Spiritwolf. “I was actually born in Fresno, but moved at a very young age.”

Lopez, a Wanderlei Silva Fight Team member, will also be making a homecoming of sorts. Originally from California, Lopez moved to Las Vegas to train with Silva.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of pressure on me coming home. I mean, I think that he will have more of the hometown crowd, but I love California and I’m glad that I get to come back there and fight,” Lopez said.

Both fighters are trying to work their way up the welterweight ladder and could possibly meet TPF champ John Alessio in a bout this summer.

“Jorge and I are very similar. We are always pushing the fight and looking for ways to finish,” Spiritwolf said. “He’s a good young fighter and fights on Wanderlei’s team. He is also on a nice winning streak and really likes to stand and bang.”

Lopez can cement his name as one of the top welterweight prospects in the country with an impressive showing against a veteran like Spiritwolf.

And the fight could be another fight-of-the-night opportunities as well.

“When we booked this fight, we all felt deep down this had the potential to be one of those classics,” said Tachi Palace Fights matchmaker Richard Goodman. “When has Spiritwolf ever been in a boring fight? And Lopez is just an absolute beast.”

Tickets can be purchased at www.tachipalace.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets may also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Gift Shop and start at a low price of just $30 for general admission seating.

The main event features a flyweight bout between San Clemente, Calif.’s Ian McCall (9-2) and Franklin, Tenn.’s Dustin Ortiz (7-0). McCall is coming off a decision victory over the previously ranked No. 1 flyweight in the world, Brazil’s Jussier da Silva (9-1) which moved him into the Top 10 rankings at No. 3.

Meanwhile, Ortiz is a Strikeforce veteran and a proven finisher, winning all of his bouts by stoppage.

San Diego, Calif. lightweight Fabricio Camoes (11-5-1) makes his return to Lemoore after his TKO victory over Las Vegas, Nev.’s Steve Lopez (12-4) in February to face Tempe, Ariz.’s Efrain Escudero (15-2) in the co-main event. Like Camoes, Escudero is a UFC veteran and is riding a 2-fight win streak.

The lone title fight on the 13-bout card, features Stockton, Calif. featherweight Isaac DeJesus (9-3) against Fresno, Calif.’s Russ Miura (9-1). The current champ, DeJesus, has lost two straight non-title affairs since winning the belt in February of 2010 with a TKO of Garden Grove, Calif.’s Nam Phan (16-8).

Two other feature fights include UFC veteran Gerald Harris and the World’s No. 2 ranked Flyweight Mamoru Yamaguchi in separate bouts.

The Tulsa, Okla. middleweight, Harris (17-4), has lost two straight bouts and the UFC vet is looking to bounce back against local veteran Coarsegold, Calif.’s Anthony Ruiz (25-15).

Japan’s Yamaguchi (25-5-3) brings his exciting style to the US for just the second time and will take on one of the nation’s most exciting flyweights in Albuquerque, N.M.’s John Dodson (11-5).

Also in action;

-Las Vegas, Nev. welterweight Jorge Lopez (8-1) vs. San Diego, Calif.’s Waachiim Spiritwolf (8-7-1).

-Fresno, Calif. bantamweight Cole Escovedo (17-6) vs. Bakersfield, Calif.’s Tommy Vargas (7-1).

-Los Angeles, Calif. welterweight Alan Jouban (1-0) vs. Huntington Beach, Calif.’s Jamie Yager (3-2).

-Fresno, Calif. featherweight Art Arciniega (9-4) vs. Visalia, Calif.’s Joshua Herrick (6-2).

-Visalia, Calif. bantamweight Cody Gibson (4-1) vs. San Diego, Calif.’s Walel Watson (7-1).

-Merced, Calif. featherweight Jesse Bowen (7-5) vs. Oakdale, Calif.’s Brad McDonald (5-1).

-Lemoore, Calif. welterweight Kenny Ento (10-5) vs. Oakland, Calif.’s James Chaney (3-0).

-Lemoore, Calif. bantamweight Alex Perez (0-0) vs. Coalinga, Calif.’s Jesus Castro (0-10.