Fight Club OC put on another amazing event at the Hangar at the OC Fair & Events Center in lovely Costa Mesa, CA on June 19th. The summer crowd was really feeling the combat sports love throughout the building, as the fighters made it clear from the jump that they were coming to throw down!
Fight Club OC is the master of the pivot so we changed things up with sword fighting! The combatants truly dazzled the crowd with a mix of skill, tactical expertise, and fine sword play. The crowd filled the Hangar with assorted “”Ooohs” and “Ahhs” the swords clanked around the ring, and in the end both fighters heard the audiences appreciation as the ebullient mood gave way to cheers.
Welterweights El J Portee (8-11-1) from Fallbrook vs. John Simon (8-6) from the Pacific Northwest. Opening the MMA portion of a Fight Club OC card is a special spot, and these warriors wanted to make sure they made the most of it. And boy did they ever! The bout started with the fighters moving around a bit sizing each other up. They quickly engaged and things moved to the mat. The proceedings were still 50/50 but eventually Simon submitted Portee with an armbar that ended things.
For the first boxing match of the night, fans were treated to a 4 round super featherweight contest where Lake Forest’s Ryan Jones (1-0 1KO) made his his pro debut vs. Mission Hills’ Maclovio Salas (0-3). Fighting in a high energy bout from the start, things seemed fairly even the first two rounds. However, buoyed by the crowd, Jones scored a third round knockdown and Salas started to fade. Jones continued his onslaught in the fourth and the referee halted the action giving Jones his first pro victory and a TKO to boot.
Sticking with boxing, next up was a 4 round super bantamweight bout that showcased San Bernadino’s Elena Mandujano (1-0) in her pro debut against Amanda De Rosa (0-2) from Hesperia. Fight Club OC has championed women’s boxing for decades and this bout just about stole the show. Both of these warriors literally dug their feet in the canvas and went to war. Moving all over the ring, each one had their moments as this highly competitive bout moved along. Ultimately, Mandujano did more and was awarded for her efforts with a decision.
Closing out the night was a 4 round, Tequila Mandala Young Champions bout in the welterweight ranks! Alfredo Quinones (3-0-1) of Carlsbad, went head to head with Ventura’s Michael De La Cruz (2-6-2). Power boxing is the best way to describe this spirited contest as each guy came out looking to earn the coveted Tequila Mandala Young Champions strap. Sadly, this wasn’t De La Cruz’s night as Quinones put together a string of punches and stopped him in with a TKO in the first!
Fight Club returns to the The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on August 28th! Grab your tickets NOW as everyone knows this is where fights are ALWAYS guaranteed! These shows are literally selling out shortly after they are announced so grab your tickets soon.