PALACE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS EVENT ON MARCH 22
Posted on | March 15, 2007 | 1 Comment
By Jeremy Luchau
The PFC
LEMOORE — In just it’s second show; the Palace Fighting Championship is growing into one of the biggest, small shows in the country.
World Extreme Cagefighting veterans Wes Sims, Scott Smith and Lodune Sincaid will headline a 16-bout card on Thursday, March 22nd at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore.
“We are extremely excited to present the next installment of the Palace Fighting Championship. We have put together what we feel is a card that offers fight fans a little bit of everything, the lighter weight guys, some well publicized prospects really taking a step up in competition, notable guys like Wes Sims and Scott Smith who have fought in the highest level shows in the world. We’re very excited and can’t wait for March 22nd,” said Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino Entertainment Director Christian Printup.
Sims of Columbus Ohio has complied an 18-8-1 record. He was announced as the main event for the March show back at PFC1 in January.
Sims has won seven straight fights and will look for his eighth in a heavyweight showdown with Tulare’s Anthony Fuller (1-2).
Smith (10-3) is a Central Valley fan favorite. The Elk Grove product has fought three times at the Palace in the WEC. He most recently lost a unanimous decision to Canada’s Patrick Cote (9-4).
Like Sims, Smith has fought three times in the biggest mixed martial arts event in the world. Smith takes on a local product in Visalia’s Troy Miller (1-2) in a middleweight bout.
The most highly anticipate fight on the card is a fight between Sincaid and Lemoore’s Kenny Ento, who is touted as one the nation’s top up-and-coming 185 pounders.
Sincaid (9-4) is on a 2-fight losing streak. He hasn’t stepped into the cage since August when he lost his WEC light heavyweight title to Visalia’s Doug Marshall (5-2) by knockout.
Meanwhile, Ento has complied four straight victories. The 6-foot-2 jiu-jitsu specialist most recently won by technical knockout over Tulare’s Roy Arriola (1-2) at PFC1.
Sincaid and Ento will fight at a catch weight of 195 pounds.
“By forming the PFC, we are able to infuse the Valley with new talent, give opportunities to other local guys like a Darren Crisp and talented up-and-coming guys who never had a chance before to fight in a quality local show,” Printup said. “We also have the resources to bring in really talented guys who haven’t fought around here before, but are world-class level guys like Rani Yahya for instance. I’d be surprised if he isn’t picked up by one of the bigger shows after he receives the exposure in the PFC on March 22nd. Richie Hightower is a very talented middleweight prospect and he and Andy Maccarone is a hell of a fight. To put it bluntly, what other local small shows deliver as main event fights are prelims in the PFC.”
Also appearing on the card:
— In a lightweight showdown, Lemoore’s Poppies “The Tachi Kid” Martinez (10-2) battles San Bernardino’s Shad Smith (8-6-1).
— In a 150-pound catch-weight fight, Brazil’s Rani Yahya (9-2) takes on Sacramento’s Louie Moreno (1-1).
— Oroville’s Shawn Bias (9-3) fights Chico’s Randy Spence (10-7) in a 145-pound bout.
— In a middleweight bout, Phoenix Arizona’s Richie Hightower (6-1) battles Mariposa’s Andy Maccarone (7-2).
— Tulare’s Rafael del Real (3-4) fights Philadelphia’s Lamont Lister (2-2) in a Heavyweight contest.
— In a bantamweight fight, Sacramento’s David Espinosa (2-0) takes on Albuquerque’s Ed Tomaselli (3-2).
— In a clash of heavyweights, Visalia’s Mike Cook (2-1) meets Anchorage Alaska’s Brian Platfoot (2-1).
— Visalia’s Darren Crisp (3-1) battles Anaheim’s Scott Brommage (0-1) in a lightweight fight.
— In a middleweight bout, Fresno’s Jimmy Dexter (0-3) meets Ohio’s Eli Moreno (1-1).
— Santa Rosa’s Dmitry Upshenkov makes his pro debut in a welterweight contest against Coalinga’s Mario Rivera (2-3).
— In a welterweight fight, Porterville’s Morris Aldaco (2-0) battles Taft’s Doug Hunt (1-0).
— Lemoore’s Mike Martinez makes his light heavyweight debut against Taft’s Jeff Terry (0-1).
— New London Connecticut’s Mike Dexter (4-3) will take on Vince Lucero (17-11).
Tickets are priced at $20, $30 and $40 and can be purchased at tickets.com or call 1-800-225-2277 to charge by phone. Tickets are also available in Fresno at New Era Martial Arts and Pacific Martial Arts and in Hanford at the Valley Fight Club. There is a limited supply of tickets at the Tachi Palace gift shop.
VIP Seats are available to members of the Tachi Palace’s Premier Club, a free, rewards based Player Club system. Interested parties are encouraged to see a Guest Service Representative at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino for more information.