STFC 37 – What You Need to Know

It’s officially fight week!

One day before the ghosts, ghouls and naughty nurses take to the streets, STFC 37 will take place at the McAllen Convention Center featuring a cast of Valley favorites. As of right now, STFC 37 is scheduled to have 8 fights instead of the original 9 that we posted about. Hopefully this card doesn’t lose another fight since weigh-ins are tomorrow and there always seems to be a fight that gets scratched due to a fighter missing weight, medicals or a fighter not showing up.

The Names on the Marquee

The main event between Leroy Martinez and Elias Martinez will determine the number one contender for the flyweight title. Leroy Martinez is riding a 3 fight win streak that started back at STFC 27 against Rubin Martinez. The last time Martinez appeared in a STFC cage, he also got his arm raised against Saul Elizondo. Martinez’s opponent, Elias “Smash” Garcia will be coming in with a 2 fight losing streak but those loses were to former UFC fighter, Demacio Page, and current UFC fighter and Olympic gold medalist, Henry Cejudo. Garcia has been away from the cage for more than a year while Martinez has remained active in the sport with his latest victory taking place on September 26th under the HERO FC banner. This is a great main event with huge ramifications that will determine one of the participants in being crowned the first ever STFC Flyweight king. The other participant has yet to be announced but I can only speculate that it will be Sam “The Bull” Guardiola since he was originally scheduled to face Elias Garcia at this event for the new flyweight title.

Veteran versus Hungry Prospect

One fight I’m personally looking forward to is Roldan Abundis taking on Houston’s David Armas. Abundis has yet to secure a victory since his pro debut  but has shown potential. His first fight was against one of the top prospects in the Valley, Gilbert Urbina. Although he came out on the losing end of a unanimous decision, Abundis showed he could hang with an elite fighter such as Urbina. Abundis second professional fight and first STFC fight was ruled a DQ when he struck a downed Roman Hernandez with an axe kick. While this will be Abundis 3rd professional fight, Armas will be entering his 19th professional fight and will be on a two fight win streak which puts Abundis at a huge disadvantage. Armas has faced some legit competition that has help sharpen his proverbial sword which Abundis will learn when the two lock up. This fight has “fight of the night” written all over it!

The Clash of BJJ Purple Belts

In a battle of Rio Grande Valley cities and surnames, Michael Rodriguez from Weslaco will be taking on Jerry Rodriguez from Mcallen. Cinco MMA’s and BJJ purple belt Mike Rodriguez is a 10 fight veteran who is coming off a submission of the night win against highly touted prospect, Ruben Aguirre, this past June at STFC 36. Jerry “Mantis” Rodriguez is also a BJJ purple belt who is coming off his own submission of the night victory against David Salazar at STFC 35: Texas vs The World. There is no denying that each fighter is equipped with an arsenal of grappling tricks but I wouldn’t be surprised to see these two fighters abandon their bread and butter and start trading shots with each other.

Other Notes

Abram Torres will not be fighting as scheduled due to a ankle injury he suffered during training camp. This must be a devastating set back for not only the fans but Torres as well. The lead Muay Thai instructor at Gracie Barra was scheduled to make his return to the cage since last month where he was to make a his Bellator debut but his opponent failed to show. Torres last bout was in May 2013 against Donnie Bell. No word if his opponent will be getting a replacement.

Robert Aguirre will also be on the card against Marcus Huerta, stablemate of main event participant, Elias Garcia. Aguirre was impressive in his debut this past Feburary against Freddy Hernandez, even with that entertaining albiet confusing moment when Aguirre start pointing to his elbow in celebration of drawing blood from Hernandez with a elbow strike in the middle of an exchange.

 

Fight Card

• Main Event – Elias Garcia (Corpus Christi, Texas) vs Leroy Martinez (Mission, Texas)
• Co-Main Event – Abram Torres (Edinburg, Texas) vs Gilbert Aguilar (Monterrey, Mexico)
• Orlando Rodriguez (Mcallen, Texas) vs Jesse Riley (Victoria, Texas)
• Michael Rodriguez (Weslaco, Texas) vs Jerry Rodriguez (Mcallen, Texas)
• Stephen Perez (Beeville, Texas) vs Juan Pina (Brownsville, Texas)
• Robert Aguirre (Edinburg, Texas) vs Marcus Huerta (Corpus Christi, Texas)
• Roldan Abundis (Brownsville, Texas) vs David Armas (Houston, Texas)
• Carlos Gallegos (Saltillo, Mexico) vs Nick Montanez (Edcouch Elsa, Texas)
• Zachary Ferrington (Harlingen, Texas) vs Emmit Raza (Tampico, Mexico)

 

Weigh-ins

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video and Radio Promos

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Tickets

Tickets can be obtained from the following:

• Ticketmaster
• Mcallen Convention Center Box Office
• The fighters and the STFC crew

Price are $25 for riser seats and $50-$75 for table seating.