After 17 action packed fights, the doors have closed on the NorCal Battle of the Badges and it was a night to remember.
The card featured three UCA championship fights, two Golden Fists Award winners, Pierce Thomas, Sac Metro Fire and Alberto Torres, CAL FIRE Santa Cruz and Fight of the Night honors went to Juan Montes-Diaz, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office and Andres Lopez of the U.S. Navy and several newcomers gave fans names to watch.
Here are the biggest moments from the night.
Bout 1: Pedro Figueroa def. Loaay Albarati by decision
Pedro Figueroa of the Tulare County Fire Department set the tone for the night with a decision victory over CDCR–SVSP’s Loaay Albarati. Figueroa entered with a two fight experience advantage and used his southpaw stance, footwork, angles, and varied punches to keep Albarati searching for an answer.
Loaay Albarati adjusted as the fight went on and had his strongest round in the third, beginning to find his rhythm against Pedro Figueroa’s southpaw style. But Figueroa had built a lead that proved too much to overcome. Albarati showed determination and skill in his ring debut against a more experienced opponent, while Figueroa delivered a strong performance to earn the win and move into the UCA Jr Heavyweight title conversation.
Bout 2: Patrick Dickinson def. Sam Oriyavong by split decision
Benicia Fire’s Patrick Dickinson and Sacramento Sheriff’s Sam Oriyavong gave fans a competitive fight between two determined fighters. Both showed composure and stuck to their game plans. Dickinson’s steady pressure proved to be the difference, earning him the victory in his ring debut after three hard
fought rounds. Oriyavong made him work for every exchange, but Patrick’s composed performance made a strong first statement in the ring.
Bout 3: Anthony Aguilar def. Felipe Huerta by close decision to win the UCA Welterweight Championship
Both fighters made their ring debuts in a championship bout, and both rose to the occasion. Anthony Aguilar, CDCR–Avenal and Felipe Huerta of CDCR–SATF landed hard, straight punches throughout the fight. After a fast paced opening round, Anthony and Felipe settled into more measured attacks in the second.
With the fight still close heading into the third, both men came forward looking to make their mark. The final round stayed competitive, sending the bout to the judges. When the decision was announced, Anthony Aguilar was crowned the new UCA Welterweight Champion.
Bout 4: Alberto Torres def. Arderia Corbin by decision
Alberto Torres, CAL FIRE – Santa Cruz came out pressing Arderia Corbin of the U.S. Air Force from the opening bell. Torres worked to keep Corbin from using his footwork and reach advantage, staying close and throwing punches in bunches.
Corbin had his moments when he was able to create space, use his footwork, and land punches. But Torres kept up the pressure and made it difficult for him to settle into a rhythm. Torres earned the decision and the UCA Golden Fists Award for his performance. Fans will be hearing more about Alberto Torres.
Bout 5: Brandon Waldron def. Tyler McCown by decision
Tyler McCown, CDCR–CMF and Brandon Waldron, CDCR–CSP Sacramento met in the center of the ring and started throwing bombs from the opening bell. After the first round, the fight had all the makings of “Fight of the Night.”
Both fighters settled down in the second, but neither stopped throwing. Waldron appeared to land more accurately as the fight went on. After three exciting rounds, Waldron was announced as the winner by decision.
Bout 6: Jorge Estrada def. Matt Webb by decision
Jorge Estrada, CDCR–CHCF and Matt Webb, CDCR–High Desert State Prison had no feeling out period. They met in the center of the ring and began trading hard punches right away.
The pace made conditioning a key factor, but both fighters stayed competitive through out the fight. Estrada edged out a decision victory after a tough, energetic matchup.
Bout 7: Juan Montes-Diaz def. Andres Lopez by split decision — Fight of the Night
Juan Montes-Diaz of the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office and Andres Lopez of the U.S. Navy delivered a close, highly competitive bout and earned UCA Fight of the Night honors. Before the event, the matchup was billed as a true 50-50 fight. They lived up to that billing,
In a closely contested matchup, Andres Lopez was initially announced as the winner by split decision. After reviewing the scorecards, it was discovered they had been misread. The correct result is a split decision victory for Juan Montes-Diaz. Congratulations to both fighters on an outstanding bout and well earned UCA Fight of the Night honors.
Bout 8: Anthony Thompson def. Rance Garces by decision
Alameda Fire’s Anthony Thompson made his ring debut against Rance Garces, FBOP–Atwater. When the bell rang to start this highly anticipated match both fighters came out throwing hard looking to turn the lights out with one punch. Thompson did land a clean hard shot to end the round to get Garces’ attention.
2nd round was even with both fighters having their moments. Garces had a strong third round, putting his punches together and landing cleanly. It was a close, competitive fight, and Thompson walked away with a big win over an experienced opponent.
Bout 9: Keith Sager def. Saul Pelayo by decision
Keith Sager, Elk Grove Police Dept looked sharp in his UCA debut, using footwork, speed, and accurate straight punches against U.S. Army fighter Saul Pelayo.
You always know what you are going to get when you face the hard charging slugger Saul Pelayo. His pressure made Sager work for everything. Sager’s reach, movement, and accuracy earned him the decision victory and gave fans a look at a future big name in the Masters Light Heavyweight division.
Bout 10: Abdul Gorsi def. Alfonso Ornelas by decision
Abdul Gorsi, CDCR–CMF defeated Alfonso Ornelas, CDCR–Kern Valley State Prison in a close, competitive fight. Gorsi initiated the attacks and kept the pressure on. When Ornelas created space, he landed punches of his own and made the fight difficult to score.
In the end, Gorsi’s pressure and punch output earned him the victory.
Bout 11: Beto Ortiz def. Jose Deval by decision
Beto Ortiz of CDCR–CHCF and Jose Deval of CDCR–High Desert State Prison set a fast pace from the opening bell. Deval kept coming forward, making Ortiz work, while both fighters took turns landing hard shots.
Ortiz found a home for his right hand, but Deval must have a granite chin because he stood in front of Ortiz and fired back. With the bout close heading into the third, Ortiz landed some of his hardest punches of the night and made a strong final statement to secure the win by decision.
Bout 12: Pierce Thomas def. Rene Garcia by second-round TKO
Pierce Thomas, Sac Metro Fire and U.S. Army fighter Rene Garcia brought a hard-fought, high energy matchup to the ring. Thomas set the pace early, pressing forward and letting his hands go. Garcia stood his ground and fired back, matching Thomas’s intensity and making him work for every opening.
Thomas used his strength and pressure to drive Garcia toward the ropes, looking to land heavy shots. Garcia showed grit and ring awareness, finding chances to circle out and create space for his own punches. But in the second round, Thomas cut off the escape and trapped Garcia near the ropes. He unleashed a powerful flurry that forced the referee to step in, earning Thomas the second round TKO victory.
It was Thomas’s first career win and a performance strong enough to earn him the UCA Golden Fists Award.
Bout 13: JaVun Willie def. Chris Lugo by decision
A lot was riding on the matchup between JaVun Willie of CDCR–CSP Sacramento and Chris Lugo of the National Nuclear Security Administration Police. Lugo was a relatively unknown opponent, making him a significant challenge for Willie.
Willie started cautiously, taking time to read Lugo. As the fight went on, he became more aggressive and began initiating the attacks. Twice, the fighters pointed to the canvas, stood their ground, and exchanged heavy blows. Lugo held his own, but Willie was faster, busier, and more accurate, securing the decision victory. With the win, Willie remains undefeated at 4-0 and locks in a title shot against undefeated UCA light heavyweight champion Everardo Palomares of CDCR–SATF.
Bout 14: Nick Stambaugh def. Mario Rodriguez by decision
Nick Stambaugh, Sacramento Sheriff’s Office and Mario Rodriguez, CDCR–CHCF put on a competitive fight. Despite giving up height and reach, Rodriguez showed grit, finding openings and landing punches against the longer fighter. Stambaugh stayed busier, landed more accurately, and controlled the pace to earn a decision victory in his ring debut.
Bout 15: Dylan Hicks def. Tobias Green by decision
Dylan Hicks, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office earned a decision victory over Tobias Green of the U.S. Air Force after three competitive rounds.
The matchup showcased two contrasting styles. Green used his footwork to create space and make the most of his height and reach, looking sharp whenever he had room to work. Hicks knew he needed to take the initiative, close the distance, and bring the fight to Green. He did just that, to secure the win.
With the victory, Hicks puts himself into the middleweight title conversation.
Bout 16: Briana Doss def. Crystal Garcia to win the Masters UCA Super Lightweight Championship
The only women’s bout on the card delivered a competitive championship showdown. Briana Doss entered with three fights’ worth of experience, while CDCR–CCWF’s Crystal Garcia was making her ring debut. Garcia didn’t let that experience gap show, staying competitive and having her moments throughout the fight.
Doss’s experience showed in her sharper, more polished work over three hard fought rounds. When the decision was announced, Briana Doss was crowned the New UCA Masters Super Lightweight Champion.
Bout 17: Main Event – Glen Gilhuber vs James Dorris in a historic UCA Unification Super Fight
History was made in the main event. Masters UCA Super Cruiserweight Champion Glen Gilhuber of the Eugene Police Department defeated retired Folsom Police Officer James Dorris, the Masters UCA Junior Heavyweight Champion, in a catchweight unification super fight with both UCA championship belts on the line.
It was a high level fight between two determined champions. Dorris was known for his relentless pressure and combinations, while Gilhuber brought technical skill, power, and athleticism. Both fighters imposed their will, but Gilhuber executed his strategy with remarkable focus and delivered a near perfect performance.
With the victory, Gilhuber became the first fighter in public safety boxing history to claim two divisions through a unification super fight. Congratulations to Glen on an incredible accomplishment and to James for being part of a historic night in UCA history.
The NorCal Battle of the Badges is in the books
Thank you to the fighters, departments, families, fans, officials, and everyone who helped make the night possible. Proceeds from the event supported the Firefighters Burn Institute, the Fallen Officers Resource Fund, and the Sacramento Sheriff’s Activities League.
We’ll see you at the Central California Battle of the Badges on Saturday, April 17, 2027, at the Visalia Convention Center.
