Finally a PFC Welterweight champ to be crowned

Posted on | September 24, 2008 | 1 Comment

LEMOORE, CA. — It took some time, but finally Bakersfield, CA’s Bryan Travers will get to fight for the Palace Fighting Championship World Welterweight title.

“My camp and I are not really surprised by anything in this sport anymore,” said Travers (10-1), who has gone through several different opponents and changes in date for his shot at PFC gold. “When I was fighting in Gladiator Challenge I never knew who I was going to fight ‘til the actual day of the fight. That’s what happened when I fought Anthony Ruiz. I’ve got use to it. At least this time I’ve got a month to prepare.”

And he will be preparing for a solid fighter, as Turlock, CA’s Jeremiah Metcalf (9-5) has earned the right to fight for the vacant crown on Friday at PFC 10’s “Explosive” at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino.

“It’s exciting to be able to fight for the belt in the PFC,” said Metcalf, who is coming off of a submission loss to Andre Galvao (1-0) in August. Metcalf made his PFC debut in March, beating Fresno, CA’s Jimmy Dexter (2-5).

“I’ve held some belts in other organizations and now it’s time for me to go after the PFC belt,” Metcalf added.

It should be a tough battle either way, as both are very accomplished fighters that have faced top-notch competition.

“I really can’t think of a much better fight for our welterweight belt right now,” said PFC President Christian Printup. “Travers has been very patient with us with all the fallouts and having to push this fight back several times. Right now I believe that Travers is motivated and he’s a stud.”

Travers hasn’t fought since March when he defeated Sacramento, CA’s Joel Crawford (0-5) by submission. That night he was supposed to fight UFC veteran Richie Hightower (7-2) for the strap, but Hightower never showed to weighins because of illness.

“All I really know about Travers is that he is a wrestler and has decent standup. I know that he is a tough guy and he was once a heavyweight, but has since dropped down in weight,” Metcalf said. “I think this is a good fight. I’m going to try and stand with him, but I’m sure he will want to take me down. I see it going the distance unless I catch him with a good shot.”

Travers is excited for the opportunity to fight Metcalf. The fight was originally scheduled to be against Porterville, CA’s Morris Aldaco (7-0), but according to Printup Aldaco has retired from MMA.

“I think that I’m getting a better opponent and a better fight. I know that a lot of people around the Valley held Aldaco in high regards, but really he has never beat anyone,” Travers said. “I much rather have this Metcalf fight. This is a lot harder, but a better fight. I don’t want to feel like a paper champion.”

Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone 1-800-225-2277, at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino gift shop as well as MMA Elite Apparel shop located at 6640 Blackstone Ave in Fresno.

In the main event, Long Island, NY’s Phil Baroni (12-10) squares off with Enseneda, Mexico’s Olaf Alfonso (7-8).

There will be three title fights, as PFC World Lightweight champ Bakersfield, CA’s Brian Cobb (12-4) takes on Temecula, CA’s David Gardner (14-9) and Porterville, CA PFC World Bantamweight champ Shawn Klarcyk (9-2) will fight Tulare, CA’s Brandon Miller (3-2).

In other fights:

—San Luis Obispo, CA bantamweight Antonio Banuelos (14-5) vs. Georgia’s Bryan Goldsby (4-3).

—Georgia flyweight David Mitchell (1-0) vs. Sacramento, CA’s David Suarez (1-1).

—Lemoore, CA welterweight Chris Botelho (4-3) vs. Sacramento, CA’s Anthony Bivins (2-1).

—Lemoore, CA lightweight Poppies Martinez (15-5) vs. Huron, CA’s Sergio Cortez (4-3).

—Sacramento, CA lightweight Dustin Akbari (2-0) vs. Oakdale, CA’s Bill Theofanopoulos (3-0).

—Porterville, CA featherweight Joe Soto (2-0) vs. Stockton, CA’s Brandon Jinnies (3-9).

—Fresno, CA heavyweight Lavar Johnson (8-3) vs. Arizona’s Vince Lucero (19-14).

—Exeter, CA bantamweight Mike Craddock (2-2) vs. Sacramento, CA’s Omar Sandoval (0-0).

—Lemoore, CA welterweight Joey Cabezas (2-0) vs. Taft, CA’s Billy Terry (3-8).

—Paris, France middleweight Xavier Foupa-Pokam (17-9) vs. Fresno, CA’s Richard Montoya (6-4) .

—Hanford, CA featherweight Chad Mendes (0-0) vs. Chico, CA’s Giovanni Encarnacion (0-1).

—Hanford, CA flyweight Luis Gonzales (2-0) vs. Oakland, CA’s Elbert Randle (0-1).

For breaking PFC news go to www.palacefightingchampionship.com. You can also find other PFC and Palace information at http://www.tachipalace.com.

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