PALACE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPhttp://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/Copyright PALACE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPsNewsBy Jeremy Luchau - The PFC LEMOORE, CA — It’s been eight months since Shawn Bias has stepped into the ring. The Oroville mixed martial artists as been recovering from injuries sustained in a struggle with police officers in his hometown. Bias (12-6) allegedly ran from officers outside an apartment complex in Oroville at about 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20. Oroville police were called to investigate a disturbance and upon making contact with the 22-year-old, the former PFC Featherweight Champion reportedly ran and ignored orders from police to stop or be shot by a taser. According to the Chico Enterprise Recorder, Bias was eventually caught by two officers and was tased a total of five times according to Oroville Police Chief Kirk Trostle. Some of the tasings were “drive stuns” which involves the taser making direct contact with the victim. Bias was restrained and taken to the Oroville Hospital where he was treated for a heart attack and went into kidney failure. He has since made a full recovery and ready to make his return to the PFC ring. “Since the incident I have refocused and started to appreciate my life and the abilities I have been given,” said Bias, who is slated for a 3-round battle Palace Fighting Championship comeback fight with Paradise’s Marcus Blood (2-3) on Thursday at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore. “Since the incident, I’ve had an uphill battle. I was told fighting would most likely never happen again for me. That brought tears to my eyes. Then I decided to focus and prove them wrong,” Bias added. “I had to go through dialysis and after my kidneys were fully functional after a month of hell, my doctor told me to take things slow, but I wanted and needed to get back in the ring and now here I am.” Bias was one of the more loved fighters in the PFC, fighting in four of the first six PFC shows. He opened his PFC career on the inaugural card by beating Stockton’s Brandon Jinnies (3-8); he captured the vacant featherweight crown in June of 2007 by submitting Aaron Maldonado (4-2). Then things got shaky in January of 2008. On the 17th Bias lost his belt by submission to Oakdale’s Art Arciniega (6-2). It wasn’t Bias’ best performance and there were rumors that he fought with an infected tooth and pneumonia. Three days later he was in a struggle for his life. “I’m excited to see Shawn healthy, focused and living a lifestyle that is conducive to him getting the most out of his career,” PFC President Christian Printup added. “He’s been given a second chance on many levels and I am sure you’ll see him fight every fight from this point on like it is his last.” Don’t expect to see the same Bias. “My training has been a lot different now. I’ve done a lot of cardio, which I have not done in the past. I’ve started to strength train and I’m stronger than ever. And just being healthy gives me a clear mind in the gym,” Bias said. “I’m hungry. I have that aggressiveness again. I love training now. For a long time I had lost my drive and I couldn’t seem to find it. Now I can’t train enough. I was ready to get back in the ring as soon as I woke up from my comma. I just had to put in the work. The first question I asked after I knew what went on that night, was can I still fight.” That question will be answered Thursday. “You know that Bias is always going to be colorful, he has always had the physical tools, but the fight game, much like the life game, is won upstairs,” Printup said. “You have to have the right mind set. He has put on a lot of muscle since his injuries and during his time off I know he’s had a lot of time to reflect on his past transgressions. We’ll see where he is at, though, it’s been a long lay off.” For ticket information visit the Tachi Palace Gift Shop, www.tickets.com or call 1.800.225 2277. Fights will start at the conclusion of the 9-bout boxing card. In other MMA action; —Sacramento featherweight Tito Jones (4-2) vs. Sacramento’s Hussain Rassouli (0-0). —Madera heavyweight Lavar Johnson (7-2) vs. Los Angeles’ Sal Farnetti (2-1). —Visalia heavyweight Rocky Molina (0-2) vs. Oakhurt’s James Rodriguez (1-0). For breaking PFC news go to www.palacefightingchampionship.com. You can also find other PFC and Palace information at http://www.tachipalace.com. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:49:04 +0000http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/home/h1bias-makes-long-awaited-returnh1/http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/home/h1bias-makes-long-awaited-returnh1/LEMOORE, CA. — A Palace Fighting Championship title belt did not change hands during the PFC 9 mixed martial arts show Friday night at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino. But Isaiah Larson felt like that would have happened if a freak event had not halted his PFC light heavyweight title match vs. champion Jorge Oliveira. The scheduled five-round bout was declared a no contest after Oliveira suffered a rib injury early in the third round. "My game plan was working very well,'' Larson said. "I was doing everything I wanted to do.'' What Larson (6-1) wanted to do early in the third round was score a takedown against the ropes. But when he lifted Oliveira, the latter slipped through the ropes and both fighters fell on to a rail outside the ring. Larson landed on top of Oliveira, who took several minutes to regain his feet and then declared he could not continue. Since the bout did not go three full rounds — the number needed to render a technical decision via the scorecards — Oliveira (6-2-1) retained his title via the no contest. The bout officially ended at 0:36 of the third. "Isaiah Larson and Jorge Oiveira will rematch in November at PFC 11. Jorge was legitimately injured during their spill out of the ring. You never want to see something like that in a championship bout, one that was shaping up to be a great fight but it can happens," PFC President Christian Printup said. "Isaiah Larson is a tough dude, we knew that coming in. He wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to challenge for the title if he wasn't championship material. In November, they can finish their business." Larson, a St. Paul, Minn. fighter, wasn't sure the fight-ending incident was purely an accident. "I felt like he was giving in, like he was trying to get out of the ring to avoid a takedown,'' Larson said. Larson gave up four inches in height to the sleek Brazilian, but he was surprisingly effective trading blows at long range and more than held his own on the ground with Oliveira — a Muay Thai/Jiu Jitsu specialist. "I know people thought I was some patsy from Minnesota, but I'm nobody's patsy,'' said Larson, who controlled part of the first round, most of the second, and the early seconds of the third. Oliveira apologized to the fans over the public address system for not being able to continue, and said he had been prepared to go the five-round distance. "I was just getting warmed up,'' Oliveira said. "There were still two more rounds to go.'' 'RHINO' CAN HANDLE THE 'PAIN' Former World Extreme Cagefighting light heavyweight Doug 'the Rhino' Marshall returned to the ring with a second-round knockout of Phil 'the Pain' Collins in an entertaining catch-weight 195-pound bout. Marshall (8-3) battled through a rocky first round, but quickly rebounded to dispatch Collins (6-3) with a right hand in the second. Marshall was rough on himself despite the victory, "It wasn't a A-level performance,'' said Marshall, from Visalia, CA. "I should have taken him out 25-30 seconds into the first round.'' Marshall admitted he endured some nervous excitement in his first bout since losing his WEC crown to Brian Stann. But his all-around skills — not to mention his hard-nosed attitude —carried him through. "I always fight to win,'' Marshall said, "whether I'm fighting for a million dollars or one dollar, or whether I'm fighting in front of a lot of people, or whether I'm fighting in a bar.'' Collins scored well with punches to the head in the first round, and also showed a solid ground game. But the Merced, CA., fighter never really got to Marshall, who connected with a big knee shortly before sending Collins sprawling with a right to the forehead. 'UNDERDOG' RALLIES Casey 'the Underdog' Olson (8-2) dropped the first round, but took the last two to pull out a close-but-unanimous three-round decision over Tito Jones (4-2) in a featherweight bout. Jones, from Sacramento, scored well with kicks and punches in the opening round. But Olson managed resounding takedowns in the second and third rounds to win 29-28 on all three official scorecards. Olson, a former Fresno State wrestling star, knew his success would depend on his ability to take the bout to the mat. "There's no doubt his hands are faster than mine,'' Olson said. "I just had to keep working, looking for takedowns.'' Olson did just that in the second and third rounds, pulling slams that enabled him to control the action from the ground for the majority of both stanzas. OTHER BOUTS —Dominique Robinson (13-2-1), Oakland, CA., won on strikes over Chuck Kim (6-7), Bakersfield, CA, at 2:00 of the second round of a lightweight bout. —Jaime Jara (19-5), North Highlands, CA, won by submission (guillotine choke) over Marcus Gaines (4-5), Sacramento, CA., at 0:33 of the second round of a middleweight match. —Mickey D. Martinez (6-1-1), Lemoore, CA., finished off Chayondray Johnson (0-3), Fresno, CA., with strikes at 1:31 of the first round of a welterweight bout. —Joe Soto (2-0), Porterville, CA., stopped Darren Crisp Jr. (4-3), Visalia, CA., via submission by knee bar at 1:08 of the first round of a lightweight fight. —Ulysses Gomez (2-0), Las Vegas, scored a 51-second, submission (arm-bar) triumph over Hector Alex Sandoval (0-1), Sacramento, in a flyweight fight. —Juan Lopez (2-2), Bakersfield, CA., won by submission (rear-naked choke) over local sports writer Jeremy Luchau (1-1), Hanford, CA., at. 0:33 of the second round of a lightweight match. —Paul Gonzales (2-0), Lemoore, CA., halted Alfredo Mirales (0-2), Bakersfield, with a rear-naked-choke submission at 1:51 of the first round of a welterweight matchup. —Alex Ortiz (1-0), Corcoran, CA., won by strikes over Javier Cervantes (0-1), Hanford, CA., at 0:58 of the second round of a featherweight matchup. For breaking PFC news go to www.palacefightingchampionship.com. You can also find other PFC and Palace information at http://www.tachipalace.com.Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:34:26 +0000http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/home/h1controversy-swirls-around-pfc-9h1/http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/home/h1controversy-swirls-around-pfc-9h1/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 ,'' 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. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:40:50 +0000http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/home/h1fighters-make-weight-for-pfc-9h1/http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/home/h1fighters-make-weight-for-pfc-9h1/By Jeremy Luchau - The PFC LEMOORE, CA — The Palace Fighting Championship’s middleweight division has been in shook up in recent weeks, as new champion Santa Rosa’s Nate Loughran (8-0) is headed to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. But the PFC has also added some tough middleweights, such as North Highland’s Jaime Jara (18-5) and Brazil’s Leopoldo Serao (14-7). Both will make their PFC debuts on July 18 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino at PFC 9’s “The Return”. “Serao is sort of an unknown commodity in the U.S. He’s very talented, trains with the Fairtex camp in the Bay area and is a legit Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt. Leopoldo Serao definitely brings a dangerous infusion of talent to the PFC middleweight division,” PFC President Christian Printup said. “He’s an aggressive striker and he’s a legitimate threat to anyone at 185 on any given night. He may not be the most well-known guy out there but he’s been in the ring with much bigger guys like Ninja Rua and Assuerio Silva and fought internationally for the most part.” Serao will take on a very tough Roseville middleweight Dan Molina (10-8). “Dan Molina will be standing across the ring from Leopoldo on July 18 and Dan is a very tough and well-skilled fighter. He’s a WEC and IFL veteran. He’s legit. This is a good test for Leopoldo. If he gets through Molina, there are some very interesting matchups there for him in the PFC.” Matchups that could include Jara or former PFC champ Visalia’s Kenny Ento (9-4). “My fighting style is Luta Livre, which is submission fighting. I come to the U.S. from Cluba De Luta in Brazil. Here in the United States I fight for Cluba De Luta and Fairtex,” Serao said. “The PFC is a great show, and I am happy to be fighting here. I am looking to impress the fans and earn a title.” Molina was on a 4-fight win streak until a recent loss in April to Cory Devela (9-2). “I do not know much about my opponent . I have seen him fight a little bit in the IFL. He is tough, and it should be a good fighter. I want to make the fans happy, so I will try to win by knockout,” Serao said. Serao last fought in the IFL in February, losing by decision to Oregon’s Josh Haynes (9-10). Serao’s loss to Haynes was his second in a row. As the UFC put together a card for July 19 to counter the inaugural Affliction show, it affected the PFC in several ways, as Indiana heavyweight Jake O’Brien (10-1) was scheduled to fight Sacramento’s Jeromy Freitag (6-6), but that fight is now canceled, as O’Brien is slated to compete in the UFC now. The initial PFC 9 card also had a scheduled PFC World Welterweight title fight, pitting Bakersfield’s Bryan Travers (10-1) and Porterville’s Morris Aldaco (6-0), but Aldaco had to pull out because of an injury and the fight has been moved to September. PFC World Light Heavyweight champ Brazil’s Jorge Oliveira (3-2-1) was scheduled for a rematch with Arroyo Grande’s Glover Teixeira (6-2), but Teixeira had to pull out and Isaiah Larson (5-2) will fill in. “Obviously we were looking forward to Jorge defending versus Glover, the rematch. Glover however had to travel back to Brazil and the timing of everything precluded him from being here for the fight. In this game you never anticipate a change in opponents, especially in a title fight, but a change should never surprise a promoter either,” Printup said. “I think in Isaiah Larson we found a great opponent. This guy is coming down from heavyweight; he’s 5-2 as a professional competing in the Midwest circuit. He has a strong wrestling pedigree and likes to stand and bang. It’s going to be a war. It’s Jorge’s first defense. It’s Isaiah’s shot at a championship and I expect both guys to bring it and the fans will be in for a treat on July 18.” Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets can also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino Gift Shop. Weighins will be held on Thursday, July 17 at 4 p.m. at the Den Sports Bar located on the third floor of the Palace. Fans are encouraged to attend. On Friday doors open at 5:30 p.m. and fights start at 6:30. The fights will be held out doors for the first time in PFC history. In other bouts: — North Highland middleweight Jaime Jara (18-5) vs. Orange Country’s Marcus Gaines (4-4). —Fresno featherweight Casey Olson (7-2) vs. Sacramento’s Tito Jones (4-1). —Lemoore welterweight Mickey Martinez (5-1-1) vs. Bakersfield’s Jack Morrison (0-2). —Hanford lightweight Jeremy Luchau (1-0) vs. Bakersfield’s Juan Lopez (1-3). —Lightweight Dominique Robinson (12-2-1) vs. Bakersfield’s Chuck Kim (6-6). —Las Vegas flyweight Ulysses Gomez (1-0) vs. Madera’s Anthony Perales (1-0). —Visalia lightweight Darren Crisp (4-2) vs. Porterville’s Joe Soto (1-0). —Lemoore welterweight Paul Gonzales (1-0) vs. Alfredo Mirelas (0-1). —Hanford featherweight Javier Cervantes (1-1) vs. Corcoran’s Alex Ortiz (0-0). For breaking PFC news go to www.palacefightingchampionship.com. You can also find other PFC and Palace information at http://www.tachipalace.com. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:35:30 +0000http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/home/h1serao-ready-to-make-pfc-debuth1/http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/home/h1serao-ready-to-make-pfc-debuth1/By Jeremy Luchau - The PFC LEMOORE, CA — Not very many fighters are willing to throw away a title shot. But then again, not many people are thinking the way Merced’s Phil Collins is. Palace Fighting Championship President Christian Printup announced Monday, June 7 that Collins will fight Visalia’s Doug Marshall at PFC 9 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino on July 18. Marshall (7-3) is the former World Extreme Cagefighting Light Heavyweight champion and will return to the Palace where he started his mixed martial arts career with a submission victory over Tulare’s Anthony Fuller (1-2) at WEC 8 in 2003. “I absolutely love this fight. Doug is the former WEC Light Heavyweight champion. He’s been in there with some of the best in the game. He’s an intimidating guy,” Printup said. “But in Phil Collins, here is a guy who has also fought tough competition, makes exciting fights and is not intimidated by anyone. He has nothing to lose.” With the exception of a shot at the PFC World Middleweight crown, which is currently held by Santa Rosa’s Nate Loughran (8-0). “Taking this fight, Phil has relinquished his No. 1 contender status,” said Printup, who had previously announced that Collins (6-3) and Loughran would fight in September. “This is a much bigger opportunity for me,” said Collins, who defeated Lemoore’s Mike Martinez (2-2) at PFC 7 in March to earn the No. 1 contender spot. “No disrespect to Nate, as he’s a great fighter. Nate’s already beat me, but if he’s walking around the Palace nobody knows who he is. If you see the ‘Rhino’, you know it’s the ‘Rhino’. Doug has been at the higher level and that’s what I want to get to. If I can beat him, then I think I can get there, too.” It’s also an opportunity for Marshall to make his return to the Palace and to his loyalist of fans. “I wanted to fight back at the Palace because of the Central Valley fans,” said Marshall, who lost his WEC title to Brian Stann (6-0) WEC 33 in March. “I love watching the PFC. There’s a lot of young hungry fighters and I love the blackjack table. The fans can expect the same thing they can always expect from me and that’s to serve up a Central Valley ass whopping.” Marshall was last in action in the Palace when he captured the WEC title in August of 2006 when he knocked out Lodune Sincaid (13-6). Ironically that was one of the last times an MMA event was held outside at the Palace, but Printup announced that PFC 9 in order to accommodate the fans would hold the event outdoors. Also as part of the 1-fight deal with Marshall, the PFC can’t air the fight on Comcast SportsNet. If fans want to catch Marshall in action, they’ll have to see it live. Two PFC World titles will be on the line at PFC 9, as Brazil’s Jorge Oliveira (3-2-1) defends his light heavyweight title against Arroyo Grande’s Glover Teixeira (6-2). And Bakersfield’s Bryan Travers (10-1) takes on Porterville’s Morris Aldaco (6-0) for the vacant PFC World Welterweight crown. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets can also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino Gift Shop. Weighins will be held on Thursday, July 17 at 4 p.m. at the Den Sports Bar located on the third floor of the Palace. Fans are encouraged to attend. On Friday doors open at 5:30 p.m. and fights start at 6:30. The fights will be held out doors for the first time in PFC history. In other bouts: —Indiana heavyweight Jake O’Brien (10-1) vs. Sacramento’s Jeromy Freitag (6-6). — North Highland middleweight Jaime Jara (18-5) vs. Orange Country’s Marcus Gaines (4-4). —Fresno featherweight Casey Olson (7-2) vs. Sacramento’s Tito Jones (4-1). —Brazil middleweight Leopoldo Serao (14-7) vs. Roseville’s Dan Molina (10-8). —Los Angeles light heavyweight Ricardo Barros (2-1) vs. San Luis Obispo’s “Irish” Abe Baxter (5-2-1). —Lemoore welterweight Mickey Martinez (5-1-1) vs. Bakersfield’s Jack Morrison (0-2). —Hanford lightweight Jeremy Luchau (1-0) vs. Bakersfield’s Juan Lopez (1-3). —Lightweight Dominique Robinson (2-2) vs. Bakersfield’s Chuck Kim (6-6). —Las Vegas flyweight Ulysses Gomez (1-0) vs. Rancho Cordova’s Andrew Martinez (0-1). —Visalia lightweight Darren Crisp (4-2) vs. Porterville’s Joe Soto (1-0). —Lemoore welterweight Paul Gonzales (1-0) vs. TBA. —Hanford featherweight Javier Cervantes (1-1) vs. Corcoran’s Alex Ortiz (0-0). For breaking PFC news go to www.palacefightingchampionship.com. You can also find other PFC and Palace information at http://www.tachipalace.com. Mon, 09 Jun 2008 21:47:27 +0000http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/home/h1rhino-returns-to-lemoore-to-face-the-painh1/http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/sNews15/home/h1rhino-returns-to-lemoore-to-face-the-painh1/