Ruediger carries win streak, new-found respect into title bout

Posted on | June 21, 2010 | No Comments

Lemoore, Calif. – It’s been over three years since Gabe Ruediger’s “The Ultimate Fighter” debacle on Spike TV that saw the rising mixed martial arts star dismissed from the show for weight issues.

Ruediger has put those days behind him, and since won six of eight bouts including five straight.

“It’s nice that people are starting to take notice of me again. I was kind of forgot about and written off because of how I was depicted on the show,” said the Rancho Cucamonga grappler, who will take on Lenny Lovato on Friday, July 9 for the Tachi Palace Fights vacant Lightweight Championship at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.
“I was a fighter before I was on the show and all this has just propelled me to do more. Lovato is just another step up for me.”

Ruediger (16-5) defeated Dominique Robinson in February to earn a title shot.

“Things have been going really well for me lately,” Ruediger said. “A lot of people don’t realize that I had neck surgery and I was out for over a year. It’s been a slow process, but things are coming together for me.”
Things have been going well for Lovato as well. The Albuquerque, New Mexico fighter is a perfect 8-0 and coming off of a victory over Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Nate Mohr (9-7).

“I wrestled for 17 years, but I’m not limited to just that,” Lovato said. “In my last fight against a UFC vet, I dropped Nate Mohr with a punch. And I’m a black belt under Eric Paulson. I think it’s a great matchup and Gabe is obviously good in jiu-jitsu and I have that wrestling, but we both like to stand as well.”

Lovato has finished seven of his eight fights, only going to a decision once.

“I really don’t know anything about (Lovato). I think he is like 8-0 or 10-0, from New Mexico and primarily a wrestler. I don’t know if he is conventional or a southpaw or how good he really is, because his competition hasn’t been that great,” Ruediger said.

“It’s hard to gauge him, but I’m really not concerned with what he is doing or what he does. I’m focused on myself and my training and I have every intention on putting a loss on that record.”

Tickets can be purchased at www.tachipalace.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets may also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Gift Shop and start at a low price of just $30 for general admission seating.

In the main event, “Razor” Rob McCullough returns to his roots at the Palace in a catch weight bout with fast-rising star Isaac DeJesus of Fresno, Calif. DeJesus (9-1). DeJesus is the Tachi Palace Fights Featherweight champ and makes the jump up in weight to take on Huntington Beach, Calif.’s McCullough (17-6) at 160 pounds.

The co-main event is a bout that features UFC veteran Brad Blackburn of Seattle, Wash. against Las Vegas, Nev. welterweight John Alessio. Alessio (28-13) is riding a 4-fight win streak and on the verge of breaking into the UFC. Meanwhile, Blackburn (15-11-1) has dropped two straight in the UFC after a 3-0 start on the world’s biggest stage.
In title fights, welterweight champ David Mitchell (10-0) of Santa Rosa, Calif. defends his belt against Lemoore, Calif.’s Poppies Martinez (18-6) and bantamweight title holder Cole Escovedo (16-4) of Fresno, Calif. defends against Oakdale, Calif.’s Michael McDonald (9-1).

Also, grappling master Bill Cooper of Santa Barbara, Calif. makes his MMA debut against UFC veteran David Kaplan (2-3) of Las Vegas, Nev. in a lightweight tilt; Olympic Silver Medalist Stephen Abas (1-0) of Fresno, Calif. makes his return to the Palace in a bantamweight bout with Lemoore, Calif.’s Joey DeLaCruz (1-0); Las Vegas, Nev. lightweight David Bollea (2-0), who is the nephew of wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan, takes on Visalia, Calif.’s Cody Gibson (3-0); and Coalinga, Calif. bantamweight Francisco Loredo (4-5) fights Soledad, Calif.’s Drew Bittner (3-0).