Time for talk nearly over for Rhino, Jara

Posted on | April 29, 2009 | No Comments

LEMOORE, Calif. – It’s a fight that has received plenty of hype. Maybe, at times, a little too much hype.

But for the most part, North Highlands, Calif.’s Jaime Jara (21-6) has stayed steadfast in playing the silent role.

The former high school wrestling standout turned mixed martial arts veteran, has taken the quiet road, stayed focused on his training in Northern California and for all accounts is ready for one of the biggest fights in his career on Friday, May 8 at Palace Fighting Championship 13’s “Validation” at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.

When Jara was asked what he knows about his nemesis from Visalia, Calif. he said, “He runs his mouth a lot.”

Doug Marshall (9-3) has never been one to hold back his opinions and he has become one of the region’s top fighters not just because of his brawling style, but because of his ability to hype any fight and get fans excited.

“I had been thinking of matching Doug and Jaime for a while, but you know MMA has become pretty competitive as far as promotions going after certain fighters and what have you,” PFC Founder and President Christian Printup said. “I knew both guys had some options and if Jaime had beaten (Leopoldo) Serao this fight wouldn’t have been possible, but I’ve loved this match up for years on paper. So, as things shook out, I made the offers and we got the fight done. I love this fight. I can honestly say that I haven’t been this excited for a single bout in a while. This is going to be a war.”

Jara versus Marshall should be one of the best middleweight fights in California this year and the winner should be in line to face the winner of Oakland, Calif.’s Leopoldo Serao (15-7) against Merced, Calif.’s Phil Collins (7-4), who will battle for the vacant PFC World Middleweight title on the same night.

“I’m coming for that belt,” Jara said. “I’ve had a full training cycle and that doesn’t happen too often. So, I’m at my best right now. The fans can expect me to bring it full throttle.”

Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone 1-800-225-2277 and at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino gift shop.

A “full throttle” battle would be exactly what Marshall would be looking for as well.

“I know that he has a lot of experience. He has good hands and is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu guy,” Marshall said of Jara. “Fighting for the PFC 185-pound belt would be sick, but I’m not thinking or looking past my opponent towards anything. I’m focused on the task at hand.”

The task for Marshall, in his newly found weight class, should be stiffer than his last two since dropping from 205 pounds where he lost his World Extreme Cagefighting Light Heavyweight title to Brian Stann (6-2) a little over a year ago.

“Training has been off the hook. I’ve been going down to Huntington Beach and training with Cleber Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Rafael Cordeiro fight team formerly Chute Box USA,” Marshall said. “We have a great team of fighters helping me and Darren Crisp for this fight. Also, my coach Mike Popp is kicking my butt all over the place.”

Marshall is coming off of a pair of technical knockout victories in the PFC and has once again cemented himself as the biggest draw in Central California for his power-punching style and often over-the-top personality.

“Look I don’t claim to know it all, but I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that when you put Doug “The Rhino” Marshall and Jaime “El Cucui” Jara in the ring on May 8, that some one is going to bleed, and bleed a lot” Printup said. “In physics, force is equal to mass times acceleration (F = MxA) and in this fight you have two of the most solid, strong guys with excellent speed, quickness and durability at 185 pounds colliding. This fight can’t help but be explosive. It is their destiny to fight this fight and for the crowd to go crazy.”

Printup went on to say that the winner will have established themselves as the clear No. 1 contender and would fight for the belt on a future PFC card.

“This is going to be a knock-down, drag-out fight,” Marshall said. “I’m going to bring it. We’re looking at fight of the night.”

And Jara wouldn’t have it any other way. The veteran of some of the best “brawls” in California and beyond, Jara has won five of his last six bouts.

In the co-main event Fresno, Calif.’s Casey Olson (9-2) takes on Las Vegas, Nev.’s Eddie Yagin (12-3-1) in a featherweight elimination bout.

Ensenada, Mexico’s Olaf Alfonso (8-10) will defend his PFC World Welterweight championship for the first time in a 5-round showdown with Santa Rosa, Calif.’s Kyle Pimentel (6-0).

Oakland, Calif.’s Dominique Robinson (14-2-1) will meet Brasilia, Brazil’s Carlo Prater (23-6-1) for the vacant PFC World Lightweight strap and the PFC will finally crown a PFC World Flyweight champion when Scottsdale, Ariz.’s Pat Runez (5-0) takes on fill in Fresno, Calif.’s Anthony Perales (3-0).

In other bouts:

Visalia, Calif. lightweight Darren Crisp (6-3) vs. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.’s Gabe Ruediger (11-5).

Bakersfield, Calif. lightweight Bryan Travers (11-1) vs. Houston, Tex.’s John Gunderson (18-6).

Sao Paulo, Brazil lightweight Marcelo Guidici (8-1) vs. Turlock, Calif.’s John Reedy (6-3).

Sacramento, Calif. lightweight Scott McAfee (7-1) vs. Oakdale, Calif.’s Bill Theofonopolus (3-1).

Fresno, Calif. bantamweight Cole Escovdeo (11-4) vs. Oakdale, Calif.’s Michael McDonald (7-0).

Huntington Beach, Calif. featherweight Erin Toughill (9-2-1) vs. Santa Rosa, Calif.’s Emily Thompson (4-0).

Doors open on Friday at 5:30 p.m. and fights start at 6:30. On Thursday, fans are encouraged to come out to the Palace and attend the official weighins, which take place on the third floor at The Den Sports Bar. The weighins are for 21-and-older and no one under the age of 21 will be permitted to attend the weighins. Weighins are slated to begin at 4 p.m.

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