PFC announces signings of former UFC and IFL fighters
August 20, 2008 by Sam Caplan
Officials with the Lemoore, California-based Palace Fighting Championship promotion have formally announced the signings of 18 new fighters to its roster. The new fighters include former IFL veterans Alex Schoenauer and John Gunderson as well former UFC veterans Gabe Ruediger, Lodune Sincaid, and Jason Von Flue.
The PFC started in the wake of Zuffa’s acquisition of World Extreme Cagefighting. After the WEC was acquired and moved its operations to Las Vegas, there was a void at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, where the WEC used to run shows on a regular basis. The PFC now runs shows in the WEC’s absence and is considered one of the top regional promotions in the country.
A list of the fighters added to the PFC roster are listed below. Many of them after expected to debut at PFC 11 on Nov. 20. The promotion’s next show, PFC 10, is scheduled for Sept. 26 and will feature a welterweight battle between Phil Baroni and Olaf Alfonso.
List of New PFC fighters in alphabetical order:
1. Jason Carpenter (lightweight): 13-0 (amateur) and a four-time Grapplers Quest Champion
2. John Gunderson (lightweight): 16-6 and a former IFL veteran
3. Jimmy Jarquin (featherweight): 2-2
4. Lavar Johnson (heavyweight): 7-3 and a former WEC veteran
5. Scott McAfee (lightweight): 5-1 and a former WEC and AFC veteran
6. Jeremiah Metcalf (welterweight): 9-4 and a former EliteXC and Strikeforce veteran
7. Takumi Nakayama (lightweight): 13-11-4 and a former King of the Cage and Shooto veteran
8. Masahiro Oishi (featherweight): 18-9-7 and a veteran of Shooto and K-1 HERO’s
9. Gabe Ruediger (lightweight): 11-4 and a UFC and WEC veteran. Ruediger also appeared on the fifth season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
10. Alex Schoenauer (light heavyweight): 14-9 and a UFC and IFL veteran. Schoenauer also appeared on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
11. Kamal Shalorus (welterweight): 6-0 and a former member of the British Olympic wrestling team
12. Lodune Sincaid (middleweight): 13-6 and a former UFC and WEC veteran. Sincaid also appeared on the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
13. Justin Smitley (featherweight): 4-2
14. Rambaa “M16” Somdet (flyweight): 4-2 and a veteran of DEEP and Shooto. Considered to be one of the most exciting fighters in the world at 125 lbs.
15. Bill Theofanopoulos (lightweight): 2-0
16. Roni Torres (welterweight): 13-1 and a veteran of Shooto in Japan and Jungle Fight in Brazil
17. Jason Von Flue (welterweight): 13-10-1 and a former UFC and WEC veteran
18. Eddie Yagin (featherweight): 11-3-1
Isn’t this the org that had an event that folded right before a fight and Renalto was the headliner? Lack of funds to secure the purses and the CSAC shut them down?
Or am I thinking of someone else?
That was the WCO in San Diego. PFC has had no issues to my knowledge.
The fact that they bothered signing Gabe Ruediger says a lot for this organization. Do you think they are paying him, or just giving him coupons for Sizzler?
Thats right Sam, thanks.
They actually have some good fights, I have been to the last three events. PFC is based in Lemoore which is outside of Fresno CA, so there are a lot of lacal Claifornia fighters competing in the events.C. Liddell and the Pit bring some decent fighters to compete in every show as well.