(PRESS RELEASE) -- MEZ SPORTS returns to Riverside, CA on Saturday, March 3, 2012 when its presents Pandemonium VI. Pandemonium VI will feature both professional MMA and boxing headlined by TUF Season 11 Veteran Jamie Yager in a 170lb MMA matchup and the inaugural Pandemonium Fights Women’s Flyweight Title matchup between Bellator veteran Carla Esparza and Women’s MMA star Angela Magana.
When the women enter the ring on March 3, 2012, it will be the first time that a female MMA title fight has been held in the City of Riverside. Local female fighting standout and Bellator Women’s 115lb tournament Carla Esparza (6-2) will be fighting in front of a hometown crowd for the first time in almost 2 years when she faces Angela Magana (10-4) for the inaugural Pandemonium Fights Women’s Flyweight Championship. This is a match-up that women’s MMA fans have been hoping to see. Esparza, who trains at Team Oyama with UFC fighters Ian McCall (also a MEZ Sports Pandemonium Fights veteran) and Shane del Rosario, is fighting for her first title and promises an exciting fight. Esparza showed her mettle when she fought Japanese MMA star and then undefeated Megumi Fuji on short notice in the Bellator tournament. Taking the fight on three day notice replacing an injured Magana, Esparza proved to be a formidable opponent for Fuji before succumbing to an armbar in Round 2. Magana, who originally hails from Southern California, is making her promotional debut for Pandemonium Sports. Magana, widely recognized as one of the top female MMA fighters in the country, brings her strong ground game to this fight. This promises to be an exciting fight between two outstanding submission artists. This fight is scheduled for 5 rounds.
Also featured on the card is Bellator and Strikeforce veteran Saad Awad (9-4) in a 155lb match up vs. hard hitting Andy Morales (5-1). Both Awad and Morales are known for bringing and explosive strong stand-up game from the opening bell. This fight won’t want to be missed as it promises to be action packed for as long as it lasts.
Jesse Cruz (6-1) faces Riverside native and Millennia MMA’s Tommy Vargas (9-2) in a 130lb catch weight fight. Vargas, the brother of former Pandemonium Fights 145lb champion Roberto Vargas, who vacated his title when he joined the upcoming Bellator Featherweight Tournament, is looking to experience the same success at Pandemonium as his brother. Cruz, who has a strong boxing background and now trains at Dan Henderson’s Team Quest gym, is taking a step up in competition when he meets Vargas. This will be Cruz’s first fight out of his home state of Alaska.
There will be a full night of MMA for fight fans to enjoy. For the first time, Pandemonium Fights will be streaming the entire MMA card live on www.sherdog.com. Calling the fight ringside will be Ron Yacovetti while Sirius Radio’s RJ Clifford will be doing the play-by-play commentary.
Pandemonium Fights, long known in Southern California fight fans as the only place to catch the best and most promising MMA stars, will show the world why Pandemonium fight fans sell out the Riverside Convention Center. Prior Pandemonium shows have featured Strikeforce standout and Pandemonium Fights Light Heavyweight champion Lorenz Larkin, Strikeforce lightweight Estevan Payan, UFC Flyweight Tournament entrant Ian McCall, Bellator Middleweight Tournament entrant Giva Santana, UFC veterans Justin Buchholz and Roman Mitichyan, TUF Veterans Steve Magdaleno and Ritchie Whitson and Bellator veterans Christophe Saunders (also former Pandemonium Fights Lightweight Titleholder)and Yahir Reyes, and current UFC middleweight fighter Clifford Starks.
Pandemonium VI will also feature 4 boxing matches featuring local fighters which will not be broadcast on Sherdog.com.
Tickets are $75, $45, $35, $25 and are available by calling 888-222-3183, at www.mezsports.com or at the door. The Riverside Convention Center is located at 3443 Orange Avenue in Riverside, CA. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the first fight is set for 7:30 p.m. The live stream on www.sherdog.com will start at 8 p.m. PST. The fight card is subject to change without notice and the show is sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission.
About MEZ Sports
MEZ Sports has been a leading Southern California fight promotion since April 2008 having promoted over 13 fight cards throughout Southern California in the last 3 years. Thousands of fans have attended MEZ Sports fights. MEZ Sports hybrid MMA-Boxing shows are the most respected fights in Southern California.
For more information, contact MEZ Sports Promoter, Craig Zimmerman at 949-981-1432 or via email at Craig@mezsports.com