PFC: Aldaco in Title Picture, Upcoming Card

PORTERVILLE — It’ll take nearly a year and a half, but Morris Aldaco will finally get his chance at Palace Fighting Championship gold.

The Porterville mixed martial artist stamped his date on a July 17th showdown for the PFC World Welterweight title against Bakersfield’s Bryan Travers (10-1) by defeating Hanford’s Chris Botelho (3-3) by unanimous decision on Saturday, April 26th at PFC 7.5 “New Blood” at Eagle Mountain Casino in Porterville.

“Chris was a pretty tough dude,” said Aldaco. “He was a lot stronger than I thought that he was going to be. I give him a lot of respect.”

Although there was much trash talk entering the bout, the pair turned in a stellar fight worthy of respect from both sides.

Aldaco (6-0) was pushed to a decision for the first time in his career, but he utilized what got him the previous five victories — wrestling and heavy punches.

“We had a good three weeks of training camp at Samurai Dojo and at the Garage,” Aldaco said. “But with all excuses aside, it was just a tough fight. Like I said Chris was a very tough fighter.”

Both overcame a lot during the fight, as each withstood damage in the first round — Botelho a cut over his left eye and Aldaco a huge contusion under his left eye.

“I’m extremely proud of our staff and thankful to the fighters and managers who came together on less than two days notice to make PFC 7.5 the biggest night of mixed martial arts to ever hit Eagle Mountain Casino,” PFC President Christian Printup said. “I want to express my extreme gratitude to the Tule River tribe for their confidence in me and the PFC to deliver exciting high level MMA action to the great fans they have there. Not just as a promoter, but as a professional Native American it is very gratifying to be able to work with the Tule tribe and the staff at Eagle Mountain Casino.”

Also in a featured bout, former PFC World Lightweight champ Poppies Martinez (15-4) of Lemoore defeated Merced’s Jarod Saenz (0-5) by guillotine choke in just 31 seconds of the first round.

“This guy really wasn’t at my level, but I wanted to take this fight to show people I’m coming back,” Martinez said. “I train with some of the best fighters in the world. I think I’m one of the best fighters in the world. I wanted to come out and fight for the Tule River tribe and for my tribe.”

After a brief flurry of punches, Martinez sunk the choke and quickly ended the fight.

Atlanta’s Diego Saraiva (11-6-1) took Martinez’ belt in January. Saraiva is scheduled to defend his title for the first time on May 8th at PFC 8 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore against Bakersfield’s Brian Cobb (11-4).

Meanwhile, Martinez takes on Huron’s Sergio Cortez (3-3).

“I have another fight at home in Lemoore in May and then hopefully I can get my rematch with Diego,” Martinez said. “Diego was the much better fighter that night, but I’m on the comeback. I will bring the belt back to my tribe.”

In one of the most entertaining fights of the night, heavyweight Manuel Quezada of Wasco improved his record to 2-0 by defeating Fresno’s Chayondray Johnson (0-2) in 1:17 of the first round.

Quezada was scheduled to fight in a boxing match before the card turned completely MMA. He is 22-4 as a pro boxer and is one of the favorites on the Palace boxing events.

“I thought that it went too quick,” Quezada said. “I was preparing for a 10-round boxing match, so I was in good shape. The good thing about it, though, was that I got to again work on my kicks and some of my other techniques.”

Quezada is quickly turning into one of the top heavyweight prospects in the PFC.

“I want to keep fighting for as long as the PFC and Christian Printup will allow me to,” Quezada said. “I love the sport and I love being able to use my kicks. I just love to fight.”

In other action;

— Lemoore welterweight Joey Cabezas (1-0) knocked out Oakdale’s Moses Lira (0-1) in 6 seconds of the first round.

Cabezas’ KO was one second off the PFC record, which is held by Arroyo Grande light heavyweight Glover Teixeira (6-2). Teixeira posted a faster knockout, flooring Brazil’s Jorge Oliveira (3-2-1) at PFC 6 in January in just five seconds. At PFC 3 in June of 2007, Visalia’s Mike Cook knocked out Rolando Torres in 12 seconds.

— Sacramento featherweight Tito Jones (4-1) turned in one of the highlight performances of the night, knocking out Bakersfield’s Fernando Arreola (3-5-1) in 31 seconds of the first round.

Jones landed a head kick, dropping the veteran Arreola to the canvas to end the fight.

—Lemoore lightweight Sergio Quinones (3-1) submitted Oakland’s Albert Tisdale in 2:07 of the first round.

— Porterville heavyweight George Albanez (1-2) submitted Porterville’s Tony Vera (4-5) in 2:21 of the first round.

— Stockton welterweight Rico Altamirano (3-1) beat Sacramento’s Anthony Bivins (2-2) by unanimous decision.

— Los Angeles super heavyweight Sal Farnetti (1-0) won by technical knockout over Palmdale’s Zane Johnson (0-1) in 23 seconds of the first round.

— Oakdale lightweight Bill Theofonopolos (2-0) submitted Bakersfield’s Juan Lopez (1-3) in 29 seconds of the first round.

— Exeter lightweight Joe Morales (2-0) defeated Merced’s Andy Salazar (0-4) by unanimous decision.

— Bakersfield lightweight Chuck Kim (6-6) submitted Stockton’s Brandon Jinnies (3-8) in 1:38 of the second round.

— Merced flyweight Anthony Perales (1-0) beat Oakdale’s Martin Sandoval (0-1) by technical knockout in 1:15 of the second round.

— Porterville heavyweight Dale Redday (1-0) submitted Lindsay’s Alex Delreal (0-1) in 38 seconds of the first round.

On Thursday May 8th the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino will host PFC 8 “A night of Champions”, as four PFC World Titles are up for grabs.

Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and fights start at 6:30.

For breaking PFC news go to www.palacefightingchampionship.com or www.myspace.com/tachipalacefights

Palace Fighting Championship PFC 8
Thursday, May 8th, 2008
Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino
Lemoore, CA
Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone 1-800-225-2277.

PFC Lightweight Title Fight
Atlanta’s Diego Saraiva (11-6-1) vs. Bakersfield’s Brian Cobb (11-4)
*Saraiva is the current PFC Champion and will be making his first title defense.

PFC Middlweight Title Fight
Visalia’s Kenny Ento (9-3) vs. Santa Rosa’s Nate Loughran (7-0)
*Ento is the current PFC Champion and will be making his first title defense.

PFC Featherweight Title Fight
Oakdale’s Art Arciniega (6-1) vs. Fresno’s Jorge Evangelista (6-2-1)
*Arciniega is the current PFC Champion and will be making his first title defense.

PFC Interim Bantamweight Title Fight
Porterville’s Shawn Klarcyk (7-2) vs. Oregon’s Jason Georgianna (7-2)
*Rolando Velasco is the current champion, but could not compete because of an injury.

Lightweights
Lemoore’s Poppies Martinez (14-4) vs. Huron’s Sergio Cortez (3-3)

Heavyweights
Oregon’s Devin Cole (7-6) vs. Arizona’s Vince Lucero (18-13)

Light Heavyweights
Oxnard’s Lodune Sincaid (12-6) vs. Tulare’s Rafael Del Real (5-8)

Lightweights
Sacramento’s Dustin Akabari (1-0) vs. Cody Canterbury (1-2)

Bantamweights
Sacramento’s Joseph Benavidez (4-0) vs. Los Angeles’ Maurice Eazel (3-6)

Lightweights
Sacramento’s Thonglor Armatsena (1-0) vs. Noah Shinable (3-9-1)

Featherweights
Lemoore’s Sergio Quinones (2-1) vs. Fresno’s Casey Olson (6-2)

Lightweights
Mexico’s Olaf Alfonso (6-8) vs. Newport Beach’s Matt Doyle (1-2)