MMA is back at Tachi Palace! A1 Combat 8 Results

MMA is back at the Tachi Palace! It was a night of celebration for MMA in the Central Valley. Fans, fighters, you name it, Everyone simply just missed having MMA events at the Tachi Palace. Urijah Faber's A1 Combat made it happen Friday, February 3rd, 2023. Central Valley fans packed out the Yokut Hall at the Tachi Palace Casino & Resort in Lemoore, Ca for A1 Combat 8.

The crowd was hyped and ready to see the future of MMA start making their own history later on in the night. Before that it was time to remember some of the pioneers of MMA at the Tachi Palace throughout it's past. The first ever Tachi Palace Hall of Fame Ceremony kicked off the night. The first class of the Tachi Palace Hall of Fame included "The California Kid" Urijah Faber, Visalia's Doug "The Rhino" Marshall, and the Tachi Yokuts own Poppies "The Tachi Kid" Martinez. It felt just like "home", like the good ole days watching these guys getting the recognition they deserved, and with Jeff Sherwood, Herb Dean, and some of Tachi Palace's veterans on hand, MMA was officially back at the Tachi Palace Casino & Resort.

In the main event of the night the vacant A1 Combat Flyweight Championship was on the line as Sacramento's (11-1) Joseph Morales took on (8-5) Anthony Do. The two fighters looked to find their range as they traded punches early in round one. Morales would shoot in and get a take down, but Do popped back up to his feet. Morales looked to take Do's back before Do escaped the position. Morales would drop Do with a straight right hand, Do recovered but got caught with another right hand that sat him down. Morales followed him to the mat where he got full mount and rained down punches until the end of the round. Do scored in round two landing some nice punches early. Morales would take the fight back to the ground after that, where he worked his ground and pound while setting up submissions. Do would come forward with urgency in round three sensing he was down on the score cards. He landed some nice kicks and elbows while fighting off Morales's takedown attempts. Do decided to take the fight to the canvas himself late in the final round. While Do is looking to rain down shots, Morales wraps up a tight triangle choke that puts Do to sleep at 4:46 in round 3. Joseph Morales is your new A1 Combat Flyweight Champion.

The co main event saw the return of The Valleys own (16-7) Art "King Arthur" Arciniega and  (14-24) Sergio "The Outlaw" Quinones. The two did not disappoint, as they reminded this new Tachi Palace crowd, how the OG's got down in the past. The two would go back and forth on their feet for three rounds with both fighters having their moments. The fight went the distance with battle wounds present on the faces of "King Arthur" and " The Outlaw". The judges had a tough one on their hands but scored the fight (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) a split decision for Art Arciniega. Following the successful return, Arciniega lets the fans know he's back to stay, and called for a shot at the promotions 155 title.

A couple of the Central Valley's top heavyweights made their professional MMA debut as Fresno's AJ Perez took on Kail Melton out of Burrogh Valley. Perez threw a over hand right that knocked Melton off balance. Perez shot in, Melton looked to shrug Perez to the side but Perez got the takedown. AJ works in Melton's guard looking to advance his position, but Melton has his arm trapped. Perez breaks lose, postures up and drops some bombs that put Melton out at :55 seconds into round 1.

Brandon Olsen makes successful pro debut defeating (1-1) Diego Bigelow by submission with a kimura that forced the tap at :57 seconds in round 2.

Ernie Juarez moves to 3-0 defeating (2-0) Alex Arteaga by tko. Juarez worked to get full mount and dropped down punches until the ref stopped the fight at 4:03 in round 2.

Arturo Burgos defeats Dominic Pasquale by split decision after three rounds of action. Judges scored the fight (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) a split decision for Arturo Burgos.

Elijah Ozuna stops (1-0) Racelis Cardenas by submission in his pro debut. Ozuna ended the fight with a rear naked choke that forced the tap at 3:36 in round 1.

(5-5) Bruno Casillas defeats (2-12) Luis Correira by tko :50 seconds in round 1.

A1 Combat returns to the Tachi Palace Casino & Resort for A1 Combat 10 April 28th, 2023. Tickets on sale soon.

A1 Combat is back at it with A1 Combat 9 in Long Beach March 18th, 2023. Tickets on sale now at www.eventbrite.com/e/urijah-fabers-a1-combat-9-long-beach-tickets-501021598087

Check out A1 Combat at www.a1combat.com on Facebook@ www.facebook.com/CaliMMApromoter on IG@ www.instagram.com/a1_combat

Also Check Back in with www.valleyfightnews.com for the latest news and coverage!

By: Daniel “Trip” Quintana www.noweakshitever.com