Tachi Palace Fights 5: Stars & Strikes

By: James Gilliland

Lemoore, Calif. – The Tachi Palace hosted another installment of their MMA brand, Tachi Palace Fights (TPF).

The card featured three title fights; one of the fights introduced a new lightweight title. Cole Escovedo returned to defend his title since winning the belt at TPF 3. Undefeated welterweight, David Mitchell fought fan favorite, Poppies Martinez for the welterweight championship.

The main event had Fresno’s Isaac De Jesus (9-1) fighting “Razor” Rob McCullough (17-6) in a lightweight bout.

The fight started slow with both fighters feeling each other out. Both fighters were exchanging strikes, and then Isaac throws a kick but McCullough catches the leg tripping Isaac and throwing punches on the way down.

Now on the mat, “Razor” Rob bought an onslaught of strikes, as he ground and pounds his way to a technical knockout win over De Jesus at 4:31 in the first round.

“I shook off a little ring rust, my timing was a little off,” said McCullough. “I wanted to put some more damage on him.”

In the welterweight main event title fight, Mitchell went to work early on the ground applying an omoplata. Poppies rolled out but ended up in a triangle choke succumbing to the choke at 1:32 in the first round.

Two UFC veterans highlighted a special attraction fight as John Alessio (28-13) submits War Machine (11-3) at 2:24 in the third round.

The TPF bantamweight championship was on the line as Fresno’s Cole Escovedo (16-4) fought Michael McDonald (9-1).

In the first round, McDonald showed more aggressiveness and effective wrestling as he took down Escovedo four times.

At 1:12 in the second round, McDonald lands a solid combination knocking Escovedo out and winning the TPF bantamweight championship.

“I honestly dropped the ball and just didn’t implement any of the game plan,” said Escovedo.

In the first title fight of the night, Ultimate Fighter: Season 5 alum, Gabe Ruediger (16-5) took on undefeated Lenny Lovato (8-0) for the new TPF lightweight championship.

Ruediger brings on a solid ground and pound; winning the fight and the championship by TKO at 3:25 in the first round.

“I didn’t know much about him, I knew he was a wrestler but I prepared very, very hard,” said Ruediger. “I put all the hard work in the gym so the fight would be easy.”

Dominique “Fallen Angel” Robinson (4-4) wins against Ultimate Fighter: Season 8 alum, Dave Kaplan (2-3). Robinson wins by TKO due to strikes at :57 seconds in the third round.

Former Fresno State wrestler and Olympic silver medalist, Stephen Abas (1-0) wins a unanimous decision over Joey De La Cruz (1-0).

David Bollea (2-0) remains undefeated as he finishes of Visalia’s Cody Gibson with an arm lock at :31 seconds in the second round.

In the first fight of the evening, Drew Bittner (3-0) remains undefeated as he takes a unanimous decision victory over Francisco Loredo (4-5).