By Jeremy Luchau
jluchau@HanfordSentinel.com
It's a done deal. Signed, sealed and delivered. Oh, how I love the power of the pen. Just this last week the Palace Fighting Championship and Hanford's Chad Mendes inked a 6-fight contract. Mendes will make his mixed martial arts and PFC debut in September.
It wasn't too long ago that I was pushing for this deal to happen.
And now it's done and I couldn't be more excited.
"Signing Chad Mendes is huge for us, absolutely huge. Obviously him being a local kid is great. But beyond that, the kid is just so tremendously talented. His wrestling credentials speak for themselves, but the more you see him and the more you talk to people about him you realize he's more than just an accomplished amateur wrestler, he's a mean, aggressive, honest to goodness fighter," PFC President Christian Printup said.
"He wrestled utilizing MMA techniques. He's probably the best featherweight prospect in the country right now for someone who hasn't even fought once yet. He reminds me of a Josh Kosheck, he has that type of potential, but I think he's further ahead of Koscheck at this stage in their respective careers. He can be a star."
And I'm sure Mendes will be a star with Printup, the PFC and the local fight scene behind him 100 percent.
"I'm really excited about being part of the PFC. There are so many great athletes that have been or still are apart of the PFC. I am honored and pumped to be able to continue competing so close to everyone I know and love," said Mendes, who recently graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
"As of right now, I feel I'm almost ready to begin. I have been picking the brain of every fighter I have been around the last three months and have been putting in the time I need to be in order to climb to the top of my new found passion."
It's my honest opinion it will not take Mendes long to climb to the top. If you want a chance to see this guy live and in person, you better hurry and get tickets to some of the PFC events, because he will not be fighting there long.
I believe it will be a matter of time before the World Extreme Cagefighting or even the UFC come knocking.
"He's young, he's a handsome kid, he's super athletic, he's as big a featherweight as you'll find anywhere and his wrestling foundation is second to none," Printup said. "Like any young fighter his career will be built in steps, but I expect him to make a splash and be tested from the beginning and we'll see how he reacts. I'm pumped to see him fight in the PFC, so his hometown family and friends can be there to support him as he embarks on his MMA career."
I've often been privy to some inside information in regards to PFC signings, but I've never really seen Printup this excited about signing a debut fighter.
The PFC also announced the signing of another Central Valley MMA'er, Madera's Lavar Johnson.
This might be one of the meanest looking heavyweights out there right now. He holds a 7-2 record and will make his PFC debut on a Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino boxing special on Aug. 21.
"I have known of Lavar from day one. He started out competing in our Toughman shows. He was demolishing guys.
"When you see someone who has "it" you just know. I got Scott Adams to take a look and Lavar's MMA career was born," Printup said. "Lavar Johnson was one of the highest regarded heavyweight prospects before his hiatus due to knee injuries. He is going to bring the total package, size, speed, aggression, skill and a hunger to succeed. He's coming off a long lay off with those knee surgeries, but he is definitely someone who can make serious waves in the heavyweight division. He's a scary dude."
He's also a well-respected "dude". I've only spoke with him a few times, but he is some one that all the fans and fellow fighters love to talk to or talk about.
Fans have been asking for Johnson's return for a long time and in August it's going to happen.
Johnson signed with the PFC for four fights.
Both Johnson and Mendes are expected to be heavy draws for the PFC.
Printup said he might have to hold PFC 10 in September out doors, as he feels Mendes will draw one of the largest crowds in local MMA history.
Mendes knows he will have the much needed support.
"I'm going to have such a great fan group in September and I cant wait to show them all how explosive and powerful my fighting style is. It's going to be a very fast pace exciting fight they're not going to want to miss it," Mendes said.
Mendes has been training with WEC Featherweight champ Urijah Faber in Sacramento at Faber's Ultimate Fitness gym.
Mendes is the newest member of Fabers' fight team -- Team Alpha Male, which features some of the world's top up-and-coming fighters.
"Overall, I feel I'm becoming a well-rounded fighter. I have the wrestling part down,and the past two months I have been working my stand-up twice a day. My jiu-jitsu has been taking the longest to pick up but with the partners I have by September I'll be fine," Mendes said.
Should be some exciting shows in the coming months out at the Palace.
Don't forget to get your tickets for PFC 9 on July 18 and check out everyone's favorite "Writer to Fighter" in action.
