DeJesus Expects Early Stoppage of Olson

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Isaac DeJesus looked almost disinterest Monday evening fielding questions about his Tachi Palace Fights World Featherweight title defense on May 5 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino.

“I think there were some better fights out there for me. I think Eddie Yagin would have been a lot better fight for me and I’ve been wanting Diego Saraiva for a while now,” DeJesus (9-1) said. “No disrespect to Casey (Olson), but this is just not a fight I think that he really wants.”

But it is a fight that Central California fight fans have wanted to see for a few years now, as DeJesus of Stockton, Calif. puts his belt on the line against one of the more popular fighters to ever come out of the area.

Olson trained for several years with Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Chuck Liddell at The Pit in San Luis Obispo after competing on the wrestling team at Fresno State and got his start in MMA fighting for World Extreme Cagefighting at the Palace.

“For the first time I have that passion back when I train,” said Olson. “I’m not traveling as far to train anymore and found a new home at Fresno AKA. I’m excited every day to go train and I feel better than ever.”

Olson’s new found passion for the sport couldn’t have come at a better time, as he faces one of the fastest rising stars in the 145-pound division. DeJesus is coming off of a devastating technical knockout victory over Nam Phan (15-7) in February.

Phan entered the bout a heavy favorite, but from the start of the bout DeJesus was on a mission, flooring the former Top 10 featherweight with a superman punch.

“I know Isaac is a great opponent and this is the first time I’ve had to fight some one that I consider a friend. He’s a dangerous striker and I’m going to have to bring my ‘A’ game for this,” Olson said.

DeJesus has made a name for himself being one of the most versatile and exciting fighters on the West Coast.

“I’m just doing my job really. I wish it was some one else, some one more exciting and would be a better fight for the fans,” DeJesus said. “I think I’m too strong, fast, powerful and unexpectedly, I’m going to be the better grappler. It should be a fast paced fight, but I will finish him in the first round… unless his plan is just to wrestle me.”

Tickets can be purchased at www.tachipalace.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets may also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Gift Shop and start at a low price of just $30 for general admission seating.

In the main event, Hanford, Calif. flyweight Luis Gonzales (2-1) takes on up-and-coming star Ulysses Gomez (5-1) of Las Vegas, Nev.

Tachi Palace Fights will crown its first ever welterweight champ when Santa Rosa, Calif.’s David Mitchell (9-0) takes on Lodi, Calif.’s Tim McKenzie (12-6).

Also returning to action at Tachi Palace Fights is Lemoore, Calif.’s Poppies Martinez (17-6) in a lightweight tilt with Visalia, Calif.’s Darren Crisp (7-5) and a featherweight special attraction between the always exciting Eddie Yagin (13-4-1) of San Diego, Calif. against the exciting Enoch Wilson (13-6-1) of Portland, Ore.

In other bouts;

-Fresno, Calif. flyweight David Espinosa (7-2-1) vs. Chino, Calif.’s Darrell Montague (5-1).

-Merced, Calif. welterweight Phil Collins (8-5) vs. Porterville, Calif.’s Morris Aldaco (6-0).

-Fresno, Calif. featherweight Russ Miura (5-1) vs. Merced, Calif.’s Jesse Bowen (7-3).

-Lemoore, Calif. welterweight Andrew Martinez (6-2-1) vs. Sacramento, Calif.’s Nikk Covert (3-4).

-Oakland, Calif. lightweight Rumulo Melo (3-0) vs. Denver, Colo.’s Chase Hackett (3-0).