HANFORD NATIVE MENDES REMAINS UNDEFEATED

By James Gilliland
VSP MMA Columnist

Lemoore, Calif. – Tachi Palace Fights and Goossen Tutor promotions were at it again with “Best of Both Worlds III” at the Tachi Palace in Lemoore. This was the third boxing/MMA hybrid card that featured local MMA fighters Shawn Klarcyk, Sergio Quinones, and Chad Mendes.

In the MMA co-main event undefeated Hanford native Chad Mendes (3-0) went to war with Steven Siler (13-6).

In the first round, both fighters came out Mendes threw an overhand right that connects and floors Siler. Mendes works for the finish but Siler is able to maintain his composure gets back to his feet. Mendes throws left punch that knocks Siler down again and the fight is over.

“The last few weeks I have just visualized doing that,” said Mendes. “Low and high, I just saw myself connecting like that.”

Mendes remains undefeated as he wins by knockout 44 seconds in the first round.

Porterville’s Shawn Klarcyk (9-3) took on Shawn Bias (14-8) in the only MMA fight to go all three rounds.

Both fighters battled back and forth for all three rounds. Klarcyk kept going for submissions while on the ground but nothing worked. Bias used good transitions and wrestling to get into better positions using effective ground and pound.

Neither fighter could finish the other the close fight was in favor of Shawn Bias who took the majority decision.

“It didn’t go my way. I fought a pretty hard fight. I thought I pulled out a decision,” said Klarcyk. “The second round I had an armbar and thought the fight was over.”

Visalia’s Cody Gibson (1-0) remains undefeated as he beats Lemoore’s Dustin Rocha (Debut) by technical knockout. Gibson grounded and pounded his way to victory at 32 seconds in the second round.

Team Ochoa’s Sergio Quinones (3-5) turned in a dominating performance winning by arm triangle over Team Merciless fighter, Chris Sanchez (1-0) at 1:54 in the first round.

In the first MMA fight of the night, Team Ochoa’s Brandon Lorenz (1-1) knocks out Mark Matthews (1-1) with a devastating right hand at 2:39 in the first round.

Matthews was on the ground for a few minutes but was able to leave the ring on his own.

In the boxing main event, the World Boxing Council’s Caribbean heavyweight championship was on the line as Wasco’s Manuel Quezada (27-4) defended the belt against Travis Walker (31-2-1). It didn’t take long. Quezada knocked out Walker with a hard right hand at 2:57 of the first round.

Michael Dallas Jr. (8-0-1) used aggressive punching and pure offense to beat Francisco Rios (10-9) in the first round by referee stoppage.

In the only women’s fight on the card, Jessica Rakoczy (30-3) wins a one-sided fight over Jessica Mohs (7-20-2); Mohs’ corner threw in the towel at 1:13 in the third round.

Rico Ramos (10-0) continued his undefeated streak defeating Juan Jose Beltran (19-13-3). After the third round, Beltran couldn’t continue and the fight was stopped.

Tulare native Hector Alatorre returns to his boxing roots after competing in MMA. Alatorre (15-8) out-points Christian Favela (17-19-6) to take the unanimous decision.

In the first fight of the night, Adrian Tait (3-1) defeated Joshua Zurfluh (1-5-1) by unanimous decision.

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