Youth MMA fighters headline Aug. 18 card in Hanford

HANFORD, Ca. – It will be a new generation of mixed martial artist leading the way for 559 Fights return to the Kings County Fairgrounds on Saturday, August 18.

11-year-old Jace Luchau will headline 559 Fights 4 in a youth pankration bout against 12-year-old Austin Terry of Taft.

“This is something that we wanted to try and do a little different than some of the other shows in our area,” said 559 Fights president Jeremy Luchau, who is also the father of Jace. “The growth of MMA is so vast right now there are children across the country taking classes and competing and that’s something we really have not seen here yet.”

Jace Luchau is an accomplished wrestler, who grew up in the Hanford and Lemoore area, before moving to Selma last year to compete on the highly ranked Team Selma wrestling team.

Meanwhile, Terry has been testing his skills on the grappling circuit and has collected a perfect 6-0 record in tournament competition.

“I think this will be a fun fight for the fans,” said Jeremy Luchau. “I know that a lot of the fighters are really eager to see some of the kids get in there and compete. We’ve had a great reception from our fans as well when we introduced this fight to the card. Personally, I’m happy that we have another division to showcase for the fans.”

Pankration rules differ from the amateur MMA rules. In youth pankration, contestants are required to wear headgear and chin guards and can’t strike to the face. There are also certain submissions that the young fighters can’t do.

Tickets for the event are available at www.559fights.com and start at $20. Doors open at 6 p.m. and fights start at 7. Weighins will be held at the Irwin St. Inn Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

Tickets will also be available at the door.

In the co-main event, Lemoore, Calif.’s Albert Arreola (2-0) takes on Visalia, Calif. featherweight Cisco Ortega-West (1-0-1).

“Honestly, Alberto and Cisco could have been a main event on any show we’ve put together so far,” said Jeremy Luchau. “I’m really looking forward to this fight and it will set the stage for some big-time fights in the future.”

Also, on the card is a cruiserweight showdown between the exciting Antonio VanBurren (2-0) from Gilroy, Calif. and Hanford, Calif.’s Aaron Mathis (1-1) and a bantamweight battle featuring up-and-coming Stephen Sandoval (1-0) of Lemoore, Calif. against Lemoore, Calif.’s Andrew Skyers (0-3).

“This is another fight card that is anchored by a ton of Kings County competitors,” Jeremy Luchau said. “We really take pride in being able to showcase some of the area’s top amateur talent.”

In other action;

-Hanford, Calif. heavyweight Wilbert Rogers (0-1) vs. Hanford, Calif.’s Anthony Sias (0-0).

-Bakersfield, Calif. bantamweight Phillip Cedeno (0-0) vs. Tulare, Calif.’s Lawrence Aytman (0-0).

-Hanford, Calif. cruiserweight Joseph Longoria (0-2) vs. Hanford, Calif.’s Alfredo Cervantes (0-0).

-Tulare, Calif. lightweight Luis Flores (0-0) vs. Visalia, Calif.’s Corey Hargis (1-0).

-Hanford, Calif. bantamweight Joey Martinez (1-0) vs. Fresno, Calif.’s Abel Garcia (1-0).

-Bakersfield, Calif. flyweight Rafael Hernandez  (2-0) vs. Exeter, Calif.’s Anthony Torres (1-0).

-Hanford, Calif. middleweight Daniel Ortiz (0-0) vs. Taft, Calif.’s Jacob Johnson (0-0).

-Exeter, Calif. featherweight Dakota Hickox (0-0) vs. Modesto, Calif.’s Damian Mendoza (0-0).

-Gilroy, Calif. bantamweight Nohelin Hernandez (0-0) vs. Tulare, Calif.’s JJ Madrid (1-2).

-Hanford, Calif. featherweight Jason Ollivier (0-1) vs. Dos Palos, Calif. Daniel Glenn (0-0).