Fighters make weight for PFC 9

LEMOORE, CA. — "The Rhino" says he's ready.

Former World Extreme Cagefighting light heavyweight champion Doug Marshall will face Phil Collins in a mixed martial arts bout Friday night at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino.

As usual, Marshall will be looking to make a statement.

"My attitude going into the ring is to put on a show for the fans, and to put on a display of power,'' Marshall said. "I want to make everyone fear me.''

So just how did Marshall come to be known as "the Rhino?''

"I've had that nickname before I even fought [in mixed martial arts],'' Marshall said. "I got it when I was a streetfighter.

"A rhino's always going forward, never takes a backward step.''

Marshall, from Visalia, CA, will carry an 8-3 record into the scheduled three-round bout, which will be fought at a catch weight of 195 pounds. He'll be looking to rebound from a loss to Brian Stann.

Collins, from Merced, CA., is 6-3.

"He's a heavy-handed ju-jitsu guy; that's about all I need to know,'' said Marshall, who added that he'll be comfortable battling Collins either standing up or on the ground.

Marhsall weighed in at 194.4 pounds. Collins did so at 190.8.

The fight will be part of a 12-bout card, which will feature a Palace Fighting Championship light heavyweight championship bout between champion Jorge Oliveira (6-2-1) and Isaiah Larson (6-1). The show is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., in an outdoor arena at the Palace.

"It's hard to keep raising the bar, but we keep trying to raise it,'' PFC president Christian Printup said after weigh-ins Thursday. "This is one of the most balanced cards we've ever had. We have established veterans with name value, and we have a lot of young talent.''

"We're not a small show anymore,'' Printup added. "I don't care what anybody says.''

A featured featherweight matchup Friday night will pit Casey Olson (7-2) against Tito Jones (4-1). Also in action will be veterans Jaime Jara (18-5) and Dominique Robinson.

Jara will face Marcus Gaines (4-4) in a middleweight bout, and Robinson will take on Chuck Kim (6-6) in a lightweight tilt.

In addition, local sports writer Jeremy Luchau will try to improve to 2-0 when he faces Juan Lopez (1-3) in a lightweight fight.

Other bouts:

—Darren Crisp Jr. (4-2) vs. Joe Soto (1-0), lightweights.

—Leopoldo Serao (14-7) vs. Dan Molina (11-7), middleweights.

—Mickey D. Martinez (5-1-1) vs. Chayondray Johnson (1-2), welterweights.

—Ulyssses Gomez (1-0) vs. Alex Sandoval (0-0), flyweights.

—Paul Gonzales (1-0) vs, Alfredo Mirales (0-0), welterweights.

—Alex Ortiz (0-0) vs. Javier Cervantes (1-1), featherweights.

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

Jul / 17 / 2008 11:40