Done with research, Olaf returns to where it all began

Posted on | June 5, 2007 | No Comments

LEMOORE — After five years of experimentation Olaf Alfonso is confident in victory no matter the opponent.

“I’ll fight anyone at any weight,” the Ensenada Mexico mixed martial artist said. “I’ve been experimenting for the last five years and now that I’ve finished my research, people will see my new fighting style and it’s insane.”

And Alfonso is bringing that intense passion to the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino’s Palace Fighting Championship.

“The one thing about Olaf is that win or lose every fan in attendance knows that they’ll see an exciting fight. I think he is incapable of being in a boring fight,” Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino Entertainment Director Christian Printup said. “We are excited that he decided to bring his talent back to Central California and the Tachi Palace. This is the place that helped launch his career.”

It was a whirlwind career that spans the globe and has Alfonso with a 5-7 record. He’s lost his last five fights, but proclaims that he wasn’t always fighting to win. Rather he was experimenting and doing some research.

“It’s all been research. I’ve fought several different ways. I didn’t always condition my body properly on purpose,” Alfonso said. “The strongest part of my game is the clinch and no one has ever saw me do that in a fight… never not once. I know I can knock anyone out from the clinch, so I tried to work on other things.

“Also, I’m a southpaw and I fight conventional. Not a lot of people really know that. My favorite submission is the guillotine, but I’ve never once used it in a fight.”

But he plans to showcase a complete game on October 18th at PFC 4.

Alfonso signed a 4-fight promotional contract with the Palace and Printup says he could be an immediate threat at lightweight (155) or welterweight (170).

“Right now the 170-pound PFC title is vacant. It’s hard to put a time line on when Olaf would be ready for a title fight, though,” Printup said. “I believe that the winner of Jason Von Flue and Chris Botelho’s fight will be one half of a title fight which will possibly take place in January. There’s a lot of talent at 170 pounds and not just locally. We are being contacted with outstanding talent from across the country right now.”

Alfonso certainly can’t be excluded from that discussion or that of the lightweight title, which is held by San Bernardino’s Shad Smith (9-7-1), who defeated Lemoore’s Poppies Martinez by guillotine choke at PFC 2 in March.

“I don’t really care who I fight. You can put anyone in front of me right now and they’re going to lose. Even a heavyweight,” Alfonso said. “I don’t think anyone can beat me now. Just watch the difference. I have a different focus now. I’m 100 percent confident.”

Also signing 4-fight deals with the PFC are Fresno’s Jorge Evangelista (4-2-1) and Hanford’s Luis Gonzalez (0-0). Both are expected to make their PFC debuts in October.

“Luis is a world-class jiu jitsu player, a black belt with tons of international experience and has been focusing on his stand up skills for a long time preparing for the transition to MMA,” Printup said. “He’s been looking forward to challenging himself in MMA and we are excited to have him compete in the newly formed flyweight division (125 lbs maximum).”

Evangelista hasn’t fought since December of 2005 when he lost by knockout to Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Tyson Griffin.

“Jorge is pound-for-pound one of the most dynamic and skilled, yet relatively unknown, mixed martial artists in the game. He is a great wrestler, has tremendous jiu jitsu and Muay Thai and is a naturally elite athlete,” Printup said. “I think that he possesses everything a guy needs to make huge waves in the featherweight division. He’s a WEC and IFC veteran whose only losses are to quality fighters Rocky Long and UFC lightweight Tyson Griffin. He’s taken a few years off from the sport and from all accounts is determined to make the most of his abilities, and that could mean trouble for many 145-pounders in the world.”

On July 19th the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino and the PFC will host PFC 3 “Step up” which features two title fights.

Sacramento’s Dave Espinosa (3-0) takes on Porterville’s Shawn Klarzcyk (5-1) for the vacant bantamweight championship and Oroville’s Shawn Bias (10-4) challenges Minnesota’s Aaron Maldonado (4-0) for the vacant featherweight crown.

Also on the 18-bout card is the return of Fresno’s Casey Olson (4-1), who takes on Stockton’s Brandon Jinnies (2-5) in a lightweight bout.

In one of the more highly anticipated debuts in recent memory, Las Vegas’ Dewey Cooper (0-0) tangles with Venice Beach’s Adam Smith (0-0) in a light heavyweight showdown.

In other bouts:

In the main event, San Luis Obispo’s Jason Von Flue (12-7-1) meets Lemoore’s Chris Botelho (2-2) in a welterweight showdown.

Lemoore’s Kenny Ento (6-2) fights Palika Drummondo (2-3) at middleweight.

Calousa’s Ruben Villareal (11-13-3) takes on Tulare’s Rafael Del Real (4-5) in a heavyweight bout.

In a welterweight fight, Lemoore’s Mickey Martinez (2-0-1) battles Bakersfield’s Robert Breslin (3-6-1).

Sacramento’s Mark Munoz (0-0) makes his heavyweight debut against Elk Grove’s Donny Easterling (0-2).

In a featherweight bout, Fresno’s Ralph Lopez (2-0) meets Sacramento’s Louie Moreno (1-2).

Lemoore’s Elvis Franco makes his pro featherweight debut against Anahiem’s Scott Brommage (0-2).

In a lightweight fight, Las Vegas’ Sean Dizaiy (2-1) fights Palmdale’s Joe Calavitta (1-2).

Visalia’s Mike Cook (3-1) tangles with Bakersfield’s Paul Mince (4-3) in a heavyweight bout.

Coalinga’s Mario Rivera (3-4) meets Bakersfield’s Joe Chaidez (2-0) in the welterweight division.

Sacramento’s Jeremy Freitag (4-5) returns to action at the Palace against Philadelphia’s Lamont Lister (3-2) in a light heavyweight showdown.

In lightweight action, Tulare’s Caleb Garcia (4-0) takes on Bakersfield’s Josh McCartney (1-1).

Las Vegas’ Angelo Antuna (4-0) challenges Palmdale’s Seth Dikun in a featherweight fight.

In a bantamweight eliminator, Jason Georgianna (3-0) takes on Merced’s Brain Granados (3-0).

Tickets for this highly anticipated event are nearly 50 percent sold and a complete sell out is expected well in advance of the July 19th event. Do not miss a chance to see mixed martial arts history unfold in front of your eyes, get your tickets now at any tickets.com outlet, the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino Gift Shop or call 1-800-225-2277. The PFC in conjunction with Wilson’s Motorcycles will also be giving away a 2006 Kawasaki Ninja Motorcycle to one lucky fan live on July 19th.

See www.palacefightingchampionship.com for more information.

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