This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations .(April 2010) |
Type | Mixed Martial Arts Organization |
---|---|
Industry | Mixed martial arts promotion |
Founded | 2007 |
Founder | Christian Printup |
Headquarters | , |
Website | http://www.palacefightingchampionship.com/ |
Palace Fighting Championship (PFC) was a mixed martial arts (MMA) organization based in the United States that was created in 2007 by Christian Printup. [1] It ceased operations in 2009. [2]
In 2001, Printup helped promotional newcomers Reed Harris and Scott Adams develop the World Extreme Cage Fighting (WEC) organization through his position as Director of Entertainment at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. The WEC almost exclusively presented their events at the casino venue. Printup co-produced and promoted the first 23 WEC events and is considered one of the driving forces in the growth of mixed martial arts in California. Printup also traveled with the WEC to other venues to help coordinate shows that did not take place in Lemoore.
Also a veteran concert & boxing promoter, Printup was the recipient of the Promoter of the Year award for his achievements in promoting women's boxing by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and North American Boxing Federation (NABF) in 2007 and 2008. He handled the careers of multiple World Champions including, Jenifer "All American" Alcorn, Carina "La Reina: Moreno, and Jessica "Ragin'" Rakoczy taking them from prospects to multiple world championships.
In April 2013, Printup and long-time business associate George Chung cut a deal with Bob Arum's Top Rank Boxing to serve as co-promoters and bring Floyd Mayweather to Fresno California to fight Victoriano Sosa live on HBO. Miguel Cotto was the Co-Main event attraction and a women's showdown between Jenifer Alcorn and Mia St. John rounded out the historic event.
When Harris and Adams sold the WEC to Zuffa the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in December 2006, Printup immediately filled the void by creating the Palace Fighting Championship in January, 2007. Viewed as a minor circuit, Palace Fighting Championship featured up and coming MMA stars of the Central Valley and state of California. PFC is known to host events almost exclusively at Tachi Palace. Some notable PFC competitors included eventual UFC competitors such as, Brian Cobb, Joseph Benavidez, Evan Dunham, Mark Muñoz, Chad Mendes, Michael McDonald, Cole Escovedo, among a host of others. PFC events were broadcast in the Western United States on Comcast Sports Net.
Printup also gained notoriety as the first promoter to create a dedicated Flyweight (125 lb) division in North America. The UFC then followed suit years later.
In July 2009, Palace Fighting Championship stopped operating events at Tachi Palace, severing a longstanding relationship. The promotion’s web site was shut down.
In October 2009. Printup announced that he has joined a new company ESMG World, INC with undisclosed partners and that their new venture Fight Night to the Playboy Mansion will begin operation in 2010. ESMG intends to license the Playboy Playmate dancers and stage mixed martial arts, boxing and muay thai events world wide with Playboy models, music and cross-promotions as part of the event. [3]
Printup is also well known as being a co-producer of Fight Night at the Playboy Mansion events with his long-time partner George Chung as well as creating his own signature events such as "The Sacred Circus: The World's First Ever Tattoo, Music, MMA, and Bikini Oil Wrestling Carnival" "W.O.W.- Women's Oil Wrestling" and "So You Think You Can Fight? An amateur kickboxing promotion.
In 2012, Printup joined the Viacom owned Bellator MMA organization as the Director of Fight Operations. In 2013, Printup was promoted to Executive Director of Venue Relations & Fight Operations for Bellator MMA.
The first event, PFC 1: King of the Ring, took place on January 18, 2007. As of PFC 13: Validation, which took place May 8, 2009, there have been 19 PFC events held in 3 cities and within two U.S. states. [4]
World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) was an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion founded in 2001. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135 lb (61 kg), 145 lb (66 kg) and 155 lb (70 kg). To accommodate the smaller fighters, WEC's cage was 25 feet (7.6 m) in diameter—5 feet (1.5 m) smaller than the standard UFC cage. The smaller cage is now used by UFC for selected events.
Robert Alexander McCullough IV is a retired American Muay Thai kickboxer and professional mixed martial artist. A professional from 2001-2011 in MMA, McCullough has formerly competed for the WEC, Bellator, DREAM, the World Fighting Alliance, the Palace Fighting Championship, and King of the Cage. In professional kickboxing, McCullough has competed for K-1.
Coleman Ruben Escovedo is a retired American mixed martial artist from Fresno, California. He was the inaugural WEC Featherweight Champion.
Jeffrey Michael Curran is an American retired professional mixed martial artist. A professional competitor since 1998, Curran has fought at a number of different weight classes for a large number of promotions including Bellator, the UFC, Strikeforce, PRIDE Fighting Championships, WEC, IFL, the RFA, and KOTC.
Manuel Alcaraz Tapia is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter currently competing in the Bantamweight division. He has formerly competed for the WEC, King of the Cage, and Tachi Palace Fights. He is the former King of the Cage Flyweight Champion.
Olaf Alfonso is a retired American professional mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor from 2002 until 2014, Alfonso formerly competed for the WEC, the PRIDE Fighting Championships, Tachi Palace Fights and the Palace Fighting Championship.
WEC 13: Heavyweight Explosion was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on January 22, 2005 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. The card featured a 4-man Heavyweight Tournament featuring Brandon Vera as well as single fights which saw the likes of Jason "The Punisher" Lambert, Brad Imes, and MMA legend "Mr. International" Shonie Carter compete.
WEC 17: Halloween Fury 4 was a mixed martial arts event promoted by World Extreme Cagefighting on October 14, 2005 at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore, California. A light heavyweight tournament was held with the winner being crowned the champion and given a deal with the UFC.
Ulysses Gomez is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight and bantamweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Gomez has mostly fought in PFC and Tachi Palace Fights and is also known for his grappling career.
Michael Robert McDonald is a retired American mixed martial artist. McDonald competed in the Bantamweight division of the UFC, where he challenged for the interim UFC Bantamweight Championship at 22 years of age. He also competed in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA before retiring following another hand injury.
The Alliance MMA Gym is an American mixed martial arts training facility located in Chula Vista, California and is home to a number of professional mixed martial artists who have found success in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), Strikeforce and Bellator. The Alliance MMA Gym is one of the top professional MMA training camps.
Tachi Palace Fights 10 was a mixed martial arts event held by Tachi Palace Fights (TPF), on August 5, 2011 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California.
Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino is an Indian casino and hotel on the Santa Rosa Rancheria in Lemoore, California.
Poppies Martinez is a Native American professional mixed martial artist of the Tachi Yokuts tribe currently competing in the Lightweight division of Bellator. A professional competitor since 2003, he has also formerly competed for the California-based promotions, the WEC, Palace Fighting Championship, and Tachi Palace Fights.
The year 2004 is the 4th year in the history of World Extreme Cagefighting, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. In 2004 WEC held 4 events beginning with, WEC 9: Cold Blooded.
The year 2005 is the 5th year in the history of World Extreme Cagefighting, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. In 2005 WEC held 5 events beginning with, WEC 13: Heavyweight Explosion.
The year 2006 is the 6th year in the history of World Extreme Cagefighting, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. In 2006 WEC held 7 events beginning with, WEC 18: Unfinished Business.
The year 2008 is the 2nd year in the history of Palace Fighting Championship, a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United States. In 2008 PFC held 10 events beginning with, PFC 6: No Retreat, No Surrender.
The year 2010 is the 2nd year in the history of Tachi Palace Fights, a mixed martial arts promotion based in The United States. In 2010 Tachi Palace Fights held 5 events beginning with, TPF 3: Champions Collide.
Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC), commonly referred to as Eagle FC, is a mixed martial arts promotion company established in 2020 by former UFC Lightweight Champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. It was renamed to Eagle Fighting Championship (EFC) after Khabib bought Gorilla Fighting Championship (GFC) for $1 million.