Top Ohio fighters Luke Zachrich and Dan Spohn set to headline “UVC 23: Invasion”

(PRESS RELEASE) -- COLUMBUS, Oh. – Ultimate Victory Challenge is thrilled to announce its main events for UVC 23: Invasion, as two of Ohio’s top fighters will return to the UVC cage once again to compete in the biggest event in UVC history. After headlining the last two UVC cards, Luke Zachrich and Dan Spohn will both fight at UVC 23 on May 10 in Columbus at the Aladdin Shrine Center.

“These are two fighters that the UVC has been lucky enough to have headline each of our last two cards,” UVC co-owner Rick Pyles said. “Now both guys will be on the same card, and we’re also planning to announce a remaining card that will blow fans out of the water. You’ll probably want to get tickets now, because we don’t expect many to be available at the door on May 10.”

Luke Zachrich (11-2 / fighting out of Columbus, OH) will make his second UVC appearance, as he takes on Marcus Finch (7-6 / fighting out of Cincinnati, OH) in the 185-pound main event. After more than two years out of MMA, Zachrich returned to the cage at UVC 20 in August, where he showed off his grappling skills by defeating highly touted prospect Nick Kraus via unanimous decision. The owner of Ronin Training Center in Columbus, the Ultimate Fighter and Bellator veteran will headline a card in his hometown for just the second time in his career. Coming in looking to play spoiler will be Finch, a product of the Queen City’s Vision MMA who has won his last two bouts via knockout in under a minute apiece. With back-to-back wins over Joshua Franklin and Dustin West, the XFC veteran hopes to make Zachrich his third straight victim.

Fighting once again at home in Columbus, light heavyweight Dan “Dragon” Spohn (7-3 / fighting out of Columbus, OH) will welcome Aaron Mays (3-2 / fighting out of Clinton, MO) to the UVC cage for the first time in a co-headlining 205-pound contest. Riddled in a three-fight losing streak, Spohn stepped back into the win column at UVC 22 with a second round submission victory over Rob Morrow in the night’s main event. The first submission for Spohn since his pro debut, the four-time Bellator veteran proved that he is not just the striker that many had pegged him as going into the fight. An imposing figure at 205 pounds, Mays comes in looking to steal a win from the former NAAFS champion in his hometown, as he is out to prove that he belongs with the sport’s elite fighters.

A pair of young and hungry middleweights will start off the night’s professional action, as Matt Anderson (0-1 / fighting out of Logan, OH) takes on Jeramy Karshner (0-0 / fighting out of Columbus, OH) in a 185-pound contest. Now a member of the North Fitness Center, Anderson will look to even his professional record in his sophomore outing and first in the UVC. After a 6-3 amateur career that saw him claim the ICFA and NFC titles, Anderson dropped his pro debut to Matt DiCenso in February. A three-time UVC veteran as an amateur, Karshner will step into the professional ranks for the first time when he faces Anderson. Now training with Ronin Training Center, Karshner is eager to begin his pro career where he left off as one of Ohio’s top amateur fighters.

Along with five professional bouts, UVC 23 will feature the continuation of the UVC Champions Series, as a new welterweight champion will be crowned, and the bantamweight tournament will continue. Also, tournaments will begin in both the lightweight and light heavyweight divisions en route to crowing new UVC champions for the 2013 season.

Tickets for UVC 23, which begin at just $25, are now available via LocalMMATickets.com.

For more information, visit UVC on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube @UVCMMA, or download the UVC MMA app in iTunes or the Google Play store.

UVC 23 card:

Pro Bouts:

185 lbs – Luke Zachrich vs. Marcus Finch

205 lbs – Dan Spohn vs. Aaron Mays

185 lbs – Jeremy Karshner vs. Matt Anderson

About Ultimate Victory Challenge Ultimate Victory Challenge, LLC is the premier promoter of mixed martial arts (MMA) cage fights in Central Ohio. Founded in 2008, UVC operates under direction of the progressive Ohio Athletic Commission and has held 20 events to date. UVC has featured many of the area’s top fighters, including Luke Zachrich, Lance Palmer, Dan Spohn, Victor O’Donnell, Julian Lane, Jon Washington, and Matt Lanning. UVC is a family-friendly MMA experience that puts fighters first. For more information on UVC, visit www.UVCMMA.com.