Cobb and Wipf Battle for Lightweight Strap

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Brian Cobb has been one of the more steady additions to the Palace Fighting Championship.

The Bakersfield, Calif. mixed martial artist made his PFC debut in May 2008 with a unanimous decision victory over then PFC World Lightweight champ Diego Saraiva.

Since, Cobb has dispatched of David Garner in his first PFC title defense and then stayed busy with a victory in another promotion in November.

Cobb (14-4) will now defend his title against one of the PFC’s young talents, Las Vegas, Nev.’s Lance Wipf. (8-1) on Thursday, January 22 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino.

“I know that Lance trains with Randy Couture and those guys and Xtreme Couture,” Cobb said. “I know that he has pretty heavy hands. I’m just going to stick to the same game plan as usual and pressure him and put the fight where they’re most uncomfortable.”

Wipf is a fighter on a hot streak with six straight wins. Most recently he defeated Eklly Dullanty by knockout in May of 2008.

“I believe Cobb is a well-trained fighter, with wrestling being his strong background. I believe that he is well conditioned and has the will to never quit or give up,” Wipf said.

“You can expect a war. I’m not going to give a game plan but come January 22 where ever the fight goes there will be fireworks. I prefer an exciting fight for the fans. I would like to keep it standing.”

The pair are both looking to excite the fans.

“I enjoy being in the PFC, being their champion and I appreciate the fact that I was able to get my title shot in my first appearance. This card is going to be explosive with five title fights,” Cobb said. “I’m going to do my part to put on a good show and make sure the fans want to come back and see us fight here in the PFC.”

The PFC will crown its first World Flyweight champion when Thailand’s Rambaa Somdet (6-2) takes on Scottsdale, Ariz.’s Pat Runez (5-0).

Porterville, Calif.’s Shawn Klaryck (9-2) defends his PFC Bantamweight title against Duluth, Ga.’s Jeff Bedard (9-2); Fresno, Calif.’s Jorge Evangelista (8-2-1) defends his PFC Featherweight title against Atlanta, Ga.’s Diego Saraiva (12-8-1); and Ensenada, Mexico’s Olaf Alfonso (7-9) and Turlock, Calif.’s Jeremiah Metcalf (10-6) battle for the PFC Interim Welterweight championship.

Tickets can be purchased at tickets.com or charge by phone 1-800-225-2277 and at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino gift shop. The show is nearing a sellout for the 12th straight time at the Palace and fans are encouraged to visit tickets.com to purchase their tickets.

Doors open for the fights on Thursday at 5 p.m. and the first bout is scheduled for 6 p.m. The weighins are slated for Wednesday at the Den Sports Bar located on the third floor of the Casino. Fighters will step on the scales at 5 p.m.

In other bouts:

-La Celle St. Clous, France light heavyweight Cyrille Diabate (12-6-1) vs. North Hollywood, Calif.’s Lodune Sincaid (14-6).

-Paris, France middleweight Xavier Foupa-Pokam (19-9) vs. Utah’s Kasey Uscula (15-12).

-Fresno, Calif. heavyweight Lavar Johnson (10-3) vs. Sacramento, Calif.’s Dave Huckaba (9-2).

-Fresno, Calif. lightweight Billy Evangelista (8-0) vs. Honolulu, Hawaii’s Harris Sarmiento (25-18).

-Las Vegas, Nev. lightweight Evan Dunham (6-0) vs. Sacramento, Calif.’s Dustin Akbari (3-0).

-Houston, Tex. lightweight John Gunderson (16-6) vs. Oakland, Calif.’s Alexander Crispim (3-2).

-Sacramento, Calif. featherweight Tito Jones (5-2) vs. Oakdale, Calif.’s Justin Smitley (5-2).

-Eugene, Ore. bantamweight Jason Georgianna (8-3) vs. Oakdale, Calif.’s Michael McDonald (6-0).

-Lemoore, Calif. lightweight Joey Cabezas (3-0) vs. Exeter, Calif.’s Joe Morales (3-0).

-Harrisburg, Pa. light heavyweight Phil Davis (1-0) vs. Visalia, Calif.’s Josh Green (0-0).

For breaking PFC news go to www.palacefightingchampionship.com. You can also find other PFC and Palace information at http://www.tachipalace.com.