Central California BOTB Results

The sweet science returned to the Hanford Civic Auditorium for the 5th annual Central California Battle of the Badges. This night was determined to change careers, create legacies, crown champions and change the landscape of the UCA. The fans are ready and the fighters are ready. Its fight time and the energy is real! Let’s get ready to rumble!

Bout 1. The night started off with two fighters making their ring debut. UCA Super Middleweights Sterling Ingram (Navy) vs Daniel Pacheco (American Ambulance.) Pacheco came out with a lightning strike that Ingram managed to dodge, and the Navy fighter took over from there. Ingram was aggressively taunting Pacheco, who could not keep up with his energy. At one point Pacheco missed a punch and his momentum carried him into the ropes. Ingram delivered several quick hooks, setting the crowd abuzz. Pacheco, tried to take a defensive stance, countering when he could, but Ingram was too much for him. Off balance and out of his element in round three, the referee stopped the fight and gave the victory to Ingram.

Bout 2. UCA Light Heavyweights Anthony Walker (Reedley PD) vs Robert Brink (CHP) The 1st round was defined by quick punches and even quicker footwork from both fighters. Both missed several one-two combos until finally Walker connected with Brink’s jaw, knocking him backward and over in a loss of balance.  Walker then took the center ground while Brink circled him. The two settled into a rhythm, mostly punching at the same time. The fight had to be stopped multiple times for Brink’s bleeding nose. Both fighters favored the left jab, but neither gained much momentum until Brink landed a series of 6 punches to finish the 2nd round. In the 3rd round, both fighters picked up the aggression. Brink’s face was covered in blood, but that did not stop him from at one point landing 4 punches on Walker in a row. Although both fought valiantly, Brink’s nose would not stop bleeding forcing the referee to stop the fight in the 3rd round. Walker winner by TKO.

Bout 3. The #1 ranked Welterweight David Bermudez, East Bay Regional Parks PD vs #1 ranked Jr Middleweight Dusty Rodriguez, Santa Monica Fire Dept. Rodriguez came in over the contracted 154 pound limit by 1.5 pounds. He would not be eligible to win the title if he won. Bermudez weighed in at 153 pounds and would claim the title if he won. Bermudez came out early to set the tone, missing on what would have been a devastating haymaker to the face. Both fighters showed a high ability to dodge. Bermudez continued to throw incredibly swift punches but was unable to connect. Not taking any chances, Rodriguez kept a tight defense and waited for an opening hitting Bermudez with a wrecking ball of a punch, causing David to hit the canvas. Bermudez would beat the 8 count and Rodriguez would throw a 4 punch combination forcing the referee to stop the fight in the first round.

Bout 4. UCA Super Cruiserweights Anthony Martinez (Madera PD) vs Dario Salazar (Sanger PD) This was the first fight for both parties. Salazar came out as the aggressor, but both managed to deliver powerful jabs early on. Salazar, in particular, landed a few strong jabs and uppercuts to the body with his right hand. Both fighters came out in round 2 looking to land heavy blows, but they were dodged. Although Salazar showed off agile feet in the rounds, the momentum of the fight shifted when Martinez landed two devastating uppercuts to the jaw during a tangle, as well as two ferocious right crosses to the head at the end of round 2. Round 3 showed both fighters obviously fatigued, and few punches were landed. Most of this round consisted of holding, tie-ups, and clinching. Martinez, however, was able to get several hooks to the body in, securing his victory.

Bout 5.  Masters UCA Light Heavyweight Championship #1 Michael Hagen (CHP) vs #2 Izzy Montes (CDCR, CSP) Hagen (54 years old) and Montes (52) did not show their age during the fight, both exhibiting spry side-stepping footwork early on in round one. Hagen was constantly in a bob and weave mentality while Montes took an upright stance and looked for an opening. They both took turns evenly exchanging jabs to the face in round 1. Montes came out even more defensive in round 2, perhaps too defensive as Hagen was able to force him into a corner and score several points on him. Despite this, most of the second round punches were blocked or dodged by the two fighters. Montes picked up a little speed at the end of round 2 and carried it to the 3rd as both fighters came out in an absolute frenzy. Montes tried to make up lost points in the round but ended up tiring himself out. In the end, Mike Hagen would take home the belt and become the new…. Masters UCA Light Heavyweight Champion.

Bout 6. Heavyweights Rishard Hayes (Tribal Public Safety) vs Joshua McConnell (CHP) The first round started quickly for a heavyweight fight, but gradually slowed in pace as it continued. Each fighter took turns pushing the other into the corner and pummeling them until they were able to break free. McConnell did a good job dodging against Hayes’s constant right hook. By round 2, McConnell had slowed down and failed to dodge back to back right hooks by Hayes. Clearly unsettled, McConnell tried to bounce back with wild haymakers, but Rishard was able to block them. Rishard ended the round landing several punches. McConnell showed his fatigue in round 3 when a missed punch carried his momentum into the ropes, for which Hayes punished him. In the end, Hayes got McConnell into the corner one last time to land a series of punches, securing the victory.

Bout 7. UCA JR Cruiserweight Title Fight #2 Gerardo Serrano (Reedley PD) vs #1 Gabriel Flores (LAPD) This fight started all offense, both fighters landing relentless blows. Flores fought quick with a lot of punches while Serrano was looking to make is punches count for the later rounds.  Combined the two fighters landed more punches in the 1st than any other round of the night. Both showed a lack of energy in round 2, but not a lack of effort. The 2nd round was similar to the first, punch after punch being landed. Eventually, Serrano got Flores in a corner and pummeled him for upwards of 10 seconds before the fight was stopped due to a Flores dislocated shoulder. Winner by TKO and the new…UCA Jr Cruiserweight Champion Gerardo Serrano.

Bout 8. UCA Heavyweights Noel Montes (Folsom State Prison) vs Victor Ibal (Sanger PD) Montes and Ibal showed a patient fighting style to start. Montes used his height advantage to get a series of three punches in early. Clinches were used prominently early in the fight. Ibal would often separate from these holds and land an overhand right or uppercut. Montes managed to get a good head strike in right before the bell. Both fighters came out more aggressive in round 2, and the fight maintained even matched throughout it. Each fighter showed he was adept at dodging. In round 3, Montes managed to gain a series of points before Ibal tied him up. To end the round, both fighters took turns landing unguarded punches on the other. Montes was declared winner by decision.

Bout 9. UCA Heavyweights Donavon Lewis (Fresno PD) vs AJ Abalos (CDCR Pleasant Valley State Prison) Lewis, possibly the most physically imposing fighter of the night, showed off a devastatingly quick and powerful right hook to start the fight, but Abalos held his own. After one dodge, however, Abalos could not complete a second, and was hit two times in succession. He lost his balance, falling into the ropes, never gaining momentum back from there. Abalos was more successful in a slower round 2, but still came up short against Lewis. In round 3, Lewis came out with a bloodthirsty for victory and completely overwhelmed Abalos and sealing his victory.

Bout 10. UCA Super Cruiserweight Title Fight Marqus Blevins (Kings County Probation) vs Josh Webb (CHP) Both fighters showed adept footwork and dodging ability as they felt each other out in an even first round. In the second round, the two came to fight. Each of them sold out on several punches, allowing the other fighter to counter. Clinching was used heavily in the 2nd round. Blevins appeared to be the quicker fighter and took the lead by the start of round 3. Blevins, who was fighting for the right to hold two title belts, came out determined to not let Webb gain momentum. In the end, Blevins was able to hold his ground and earn himself the title. And the new…UCA Super Cruiserweight Champion Marqus Blevins.

Bout 11. UCA JR Cruiserweights #3 Roman Grider (CDCR) vs Juan Valle (Sanger PD) Grider came out landing a heavy haymaker, but Valle was quick to show the crowd this would not be an easy fight. He immediately countered by chasing Grider around the ring, landing a series of punches at each meeting until finally Grider tied him up. During the first round, Valle got Grider into the corner 3 times to beat him down. He did this 4 times in the 2nd round, but each time Grider fought back with a vengeance, landing hard punches of his own while defending. The commentator rightfully deemed the fight a video game based on the sheer number of punches each fighter was landing. By the 3rd round, the fight had worked the crowd into a frenzy. Both fought valiantly, but Valle’s strategy to push Valle into a corner won out in the end, making him victorious in what would be deemed the “Fight of the Night”.

Bout 12. UCA JR Welterweights #2 BJ Adkins (WV Raleigh SD) vs #3 Jose Bustillo’s (NAVY) Adkins came all the way from West Virginia and did not waste much time, landing several hooks to the body in the opening seconds. Bustillo’s took a defensive stance, covering his face, allowing Adkins to continually hit his ribs with right hooks. For every block Bustillo’s secured, Adkins seemed to land 2 more punches. Adkins remained in control the duration of the fight. Both exchanged an even number of jabs in the 3rd round, giving the victory to Adkins.

What a night of fights. The night produced the crowning of the first Jr Cruiserweight Champion Gerardo Serrano, Reedley Police Dept. History was made when Marqus Blevins, Kings County Probation became the first UCA fighter to hold two titles at the same time. Blevins is now the undefeated UCA Super Cruiserweight and UCA Heavyweight Champion.

The first Masters UCA Light Heavyweight Champion was crowned 54 years young Mike Hagen, CHP. The Golden Fists award was given to Donavon Lewis, Fresno Police Dept. and Sterling Ingram, Navy.  The Gladiator award was given to Robert Brink, CHP and Gabriel Flores, LAPD for their toughness and iron will. Fight of the Night honors were given to Roman Grider, CDCR, Corcoran SATF and Juan Valle, Sanger Police Dept. for their grit and determination throughout the course of the fight. Both fighters gave everything they had of themselves and refused to back down.

See you next year.

Written by Austin Galloway a writer based in Los Angeles, CA. who graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with degrees in creative writing and advertising.