The year of the flyweight
Posted on | September 25, 2008 | No Comments
LEMOORE, CA — In the Palace Fighting Championship, 2009 will be the year of the flyweight — the year of Palace Fighting Championship President Christian Printup’s “baby” — the 125 pounders.
“I keep telling everyone how excited I am about this division,” Printup said. “I think by adding this division we’ve raised awareness across the country about how well thee guys can fight and we are able to feature some of the most talented fighters in the world.”
Yes, the PFC has certainly carved out its own “little” niche in the mixed martial arts pie.
“There’s a lot of possibilities out there for us with this division. Right now were are currently spanning the globe looking and signing the very best 125-pound fighters possible,” Printup said.
And on Friday two of the PFC’s best will be in action, as Georgia’s David Mitchell and Hanford, CA’s Luis Gonzalez compete at PFC 10’s “Explosive” at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore.
“We’ve dipped into Japan, Europe and Brazil for fighters,” Printup said. “But some of the best are right here in the states.”
Mitchell (1-0) is slated for a 3-round bout with Sacramento, CA’s David Suarez (1-1) and Gonzales (2-0) takes on Oakland, CA’s Elbert Randle (0-1).
“This has been a void that has needed to be filled for a long time. Most of these guys have either had to fight up a weight or couldn’t fight at all,” Printup said.
Friday’s bouts are a pair of prelims of sorts as matchups have already been announced for a PFC 4-man tournament over two shows. In November, Mitchell and Gonzalez will compete assuming they win their bouts on Friday.
“This division is on a crash course for success. Anyone who doesn’t like to watch the 125 pounders is just a fool,” Mitchell said. “There’s more technique, more striking, hell just more display of MMA. I believe as more people gain comfort with the weight cut to get to 125 and we start having a backup roster, the division will spread like wildfire. I’m happy to be apart of it that’s for sure.”
Mitchell was one of Printup’s initial signings for the division and is schedule to take on Las Vegas’ Ulysses Gomez (2-0) in a November semifinal. The vacant PFC World Flyweight title will be contested in January, according to Printup.
Printup also said the championship winner would have to fight the No. 1 contender, who has already been selected — Thailand’s Rambaa “M16” Somdet, who is a Muay Thai champion and carries a 4-2 MMA record.
“I read about the PFC signing Rambaa, a hell cat at Thai boxing, I think that’d be a fun matchup,” Mitchell said. “I’ve watched a few of his MMA fights and he seems like he’s gaining knowledge of this game. Otherwise, I’m looking forward to seeing a Gomez vs. (Pat) Runez if that should happen.
“I think right now it’s me Gomez and Gonzalez. We seem to be the three pulling ahead. The belt could really go to anyone, we all have the tools to beat each other on any given day.”
The Central Valley has been asking for a showdown between Gonzalez and Gomez — a pair of brilliant grapplers.
“It’s funny because that’s the fight everyone wants to see is Gonzalez and Gomez. It could happen as long as both win these next couple fights,” Printup said. “Both are very well known and world-renowned in the grappling circles, but have taken slightly different paths in MMA. Luis has knocked out his first two opponents and has shown that he has the hands. Meanwhile, Gomez really hasn’t had to even throw a punch yet. He’s really showed how explosive his ground game is. I think that right now, they’re probably the best two candidates, but I think Runez and Mitchell are very good fighters as well.”
Gonzalez will face Arizona’s Runez (4-0) in a November semifinal if he wins Friday.
“I think all the other fighters are pretty tough. They all have a lot of experience in their areas. I think it will be a good title fight at the end whether it be me, Mitchell or Ulysses any of the matches would be a great fight.”
But Gonzalez knows that the fans want to see him fight Gomez.
“I think that would a good fight. He’s got a lot of good people that he trains with. I think we would bring the best out in each other,” Gonzalez said of the possible matchup.
Gomez has spent a total of just 92 seconds in the ring in his two fights, submitting Hector Sandoval in July by armbar in just 51 seconds.
“I fully expect Luis and David to come out on top in their fights on Friday. It’s hard to bet against some one of the caliber of Luis, who is really well-known in the grappling community,” Gomez said. “I’m definitely interested to see what both fighters have and I will be in attendance to watch them fight. I see both of them on the horizon in the near future.”
The PFC is scheduled to make an announcement on some other top 125-pound signings in October.
“It’s going to be a great run of flyweight fights over the next few cards. People will get to see “M16” fight finally and I keep telling people how good this Runez kid from Arizona is going to be,” Printup said. “We’ve signed a few other guys as well. Plus we have those two fights in November with Gomez vs. Mitchell and Gonzalez vs. Runez and we will crown a champion in January.”
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); Porterville, CA PFC World Bantamweight champ Shawn Klarcyk (9-2) will fight Tulare, CA’s Brandon Miller (3-2); and Bakersfield, CA’s Bryan Travers (10-1) battles Turlock, CA’s Jeremiah Metcalf (9-4) for the vacant PFC World Welterweight title
In other fights:
—San Luis Obispo, CA bantamweight Antonio Banuelos (14-5) vs. Georgia’s Bryan Goldsby (4-3).
—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).
For breaking PFC news go to www.palacefightingchampionship.com. You can also find other PFC and Palace information at http://www.tachipalace.com.