(PRESS RELEASE) -- There’s been plenty of discussion on the part of Ulysses Gomez about his Palace Fighting Championship flyweight tilt with Thailand’s Rambaa Somdet (5-2).
And one of the main reasons that the bout is talked about is because of the participants – Somdet, who is ranked as high as No. 4 in the world at 125 pounds, is coming to take on one of the state’s top up-and-coming fighters from the world famous Cobra Kai gym in Las Vegas, Nev.
“Fighting the best flyweight in the U.S. is a cool way to make my U.S. debut,” said Somdet, who has won his last four bouts. He most recently defeated Noboru Tahara (Pictures) at Shooto Tradition 3 in September.
Just a few months earlier, Gomez improved his record to 2-0 when he stormed through Hector Sandoval in just 51 seconds at PFC 9 in July. In two fights in the PFC, Gomez has submitted two opponents and both in under a minute of action.
“He’s a great grappler, but I expect something more,” Somdet said.
Hopefully “more” isn’t a kick to the groin, which Gomez vowed to do to Somdet if he trained to showboat in the ring.
“I would like to thank him for those words,” Somdet said of the comments.
Somdet is known internationally as one of the flashiest fighters that Thai boxing has ever scene. He is a showman that has never let the crowd down with his dancing in and out of the ring.
“I would just like to do my best and please the fans that root for me and who root for Uly. I hope they have a great time watching our fight,” Somdet said.
“I don’t do anything special for training. I just do the regular stuff like hit mitts, spar, a little bit of jiu-jitsu and I like to dance and smile a lot. I train with current Shooto featherweight champion Masakatsu Ueda (Pictures).”
The fight will be one of two flyweight semifinals on Thursday. In the other showdown, Hanford, Calif.’s Luis Gonzales (3-0) is pitted against Phoenix, Ariz.’s Pat Runez (4-0).
The winners will face each other on January 22 at PFC 12.
Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone 1-800-225-2277 and at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino gift shop. Weighins are on Wednesday at the Den sports bar located on the third floor of the Palace. Weighins are slated to start at 4 p.m. and are open to the public.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the first fight is slated to begin at 6:30.
In the main event, Visalia, Calif. middleweight Doug Marshall (Pictures) (8-3) battles rival Tulare Calif.’s Rafael del Real (5-10). In PFC championship action, Los Angeles, Calif.’s light heavyweight champ Jorge Oliveira (Pictures) (3-2-1) defends his title in a rematch against St. Paul Minn.’s Isaiah Larson (6-1).
In other action;
-North Highland’s, Calif. middleweight Jaime Jara (Pictures) (20-5) vs. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil’s Leopoldo Serao (Pictures) (14-7).
-Las Vegas, Nev. featherweight Eddie Yagin (Pictures) (11-3-1) vs. Oroville, Calif.’s Shawn Bias (Pictures) (13-6).
-Oakland, Calif. lightweight Dominique Robinson (Pictures) (13-2-1) vs. Osaka, Japan’s Takumi Nakayama (Pictures) (13-11-4).
-Visalia, Calif. middleweight Kenny Ento (Pictures) (9-4) vs. Merced, Calif.’s Phil Collins (Pictures) (6-4)
-Lemoore, Calif. lightweight Poppies Martinez (Pictures) (16-5) vs. Porterville, Calif.’s Tony Llamas (Pictures) (7-7).
-Lemoore, Calif. lightweight Mickey Martinez (Pictures) (5-1-1) vs. Visalia, Calif.’s Darren Crisp (Pictures) (4-3).
-Hanford, Calif. featherweight Chad Mendes (Pictures) (1-0) vs. Fresno, Calif.’s Ralph Lopez (Pictures) (4-2).
-Las Vegas, Nev. lightweight Evan Dunham (6-0) vs. Phoenix, Ariz.’s Victor Meza (7-0).
-Las Vegas, Nev. Lightweight Jason Carpenter (0-0) vs. Bakersfield, Calif.’s Juan Lopez (2-3).
-Sacramento, Calif. lightweight Scott McAfee (6-1) vs. Porterville, Calif.’s Jason Drake (Pictures) (3-2).
-Chicago, Ill. lightweight Erin Toughill (Pictures) (7-2-1) vs. Ohio’s Jan Finney (Pictures) (4-5).
-Hanford, Calif. flyweight Paulina Ramirez (0-0) vs. Fresno, Calif.’s Brittany Briano (0-0).