MMA INVADES TULARE FAIRGROUNDS

The Project” wins a close fight, Alatorre’s striking not enough.

By James Gilliland
VSP MMA Columnist:

Tulare, Ca. – Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) action took over the Tulare County Fairgrounds as Gladiator Challenge presented “Gods & Gladiators.”

The co-main event featured Tulare native Hector Alatorre, who returns to MMA after another stint in boxing. Alatorre took on Carlos Garces. The other big fight was between Jeremy “The Project” Luchau against Carlos DeSoto, a fight that was planned eight months ago.

Alatorre (0-1-1) used his boxing experience to go toe-to-toe with Garces (2-1) but he didn’t have much in the way of takedown defense, with Garces controlling the fight from the ground.

Alatorre had better striking and fans on his side but it wasn’t enough to overcome Garces’ wrestling and will. Garces scores the technical knockout over Alatorre using ground and pound in the 3rd round at 52 seconds.

In one of the better fights on the card, Team Ochoa’s Luchau (1-1) took on Team Merciless fighter DeSoto. The fight lived up to the hype, as both combatants have been trash talking each other for quite some time.

Both fighters would win a round apiece, scoring takedowns and winning battles on the ground. In the third round, Luchau would edge out Desoto in takedowns, winning the round and taking the split decision win.

“I think I won because I had better positions at times,” said Luchau. “The third round I thought I dominated.”

Luchau also said that was the last time he would fight until his wife, Priscilla, makes her MMA debut.

Coalinga MMA’s Francisco Loredo (2-5) prevails over Samurai Dojo’s Michael Craddock (2-4) by way of split decision.

Doug Hunt (5-3) wins the unanimous decision out-pointing Sergio Salcido (4-2).

Mike Martinez (7-5) gets the split decision victory over Mike Arelano.

”

Exeter native and Samurai Dojo fighter, Chris Tangonan (1-1) defeats King’s Knights fighter Anthony Garcia by rear-naked choke at 2:13 in the 2nd round. Tangonan scored the victory after spending most of the first round in a triangle choke.

“After that I was out of breath and I wanted to end it quick,” said Tangonan. “I was hoping for a ground and pound win but rear-naked choke is cool too.”

Alejandro Bautista (1-1) makes quick work of Rick Guillen (0-2) submitting him in 57 seconds by guillotine choke.

In his pro debut, Fresno Kickboxing Academy fighter, Josue Tirado edges out a split decision over George Sanchez (1-2).

“I just came in here to work hard,” said Tirado. “I’ll take any win I can get. A win is a win.”

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!