Ruiz trying not to look past Serao

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Anthony Ruiz is trying not to look past his opponent for the Tachi Palace Fights Middleweight title on Thursday, September 9 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.

“I’ve learned a lot about him since he fought my teammate Phil Collins. Actually, I kind of thought he (Leopoldo Serao) would have done a lot better against Phil. I was watching him fight and thinking, ‘I know that I can beat this guy’,” said Ruiz, who carries a 25-13 record into the bout.

“I mean, I kind of always do that during fights. But I really thought he would do a lot better.”

Serao is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, earning a shot at the title in October with a decision victory over Collins (9-5) and the Oakland, Calif. based fighter has won two straight.

“I think it’s going to be a way. It’s a good fight for me, but Anthony Ruiz is very dangerous,” Serao (16-7) said. “I think the fight will be very difficult for both of us. The fight will end when I knock him out or submit him.”

The later probably would be more than likely to occur, as Serao has 13 submissions in his 16 victories.

“Leopoldo is going to come forward. We know that I also like to come forward, but I’m going to be patient this fight. I’m not going to get caught in a stupid takedown,” said Ruiz of Coarsegold, Calif.

Tickets can be purchased at www.tachipalace.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets may also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Gift Shop and start at a low price of just $30 for general admission seating.

In the main event, Visalia, Calif. middleweight Doug Marshall (12-3) 5-fight win streak on the line against Sacramento, Calif.’s Kyacey Uscola (18-15). Marshall is currently unbeaten in the middleweight division. Meanwhile, Uscola is coming of a stint on Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter” show.

In the co-main event, Huntington Beach, Calif. lightweight “Razor” Rob McCullough (18-6) is back in action against Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Corey Hill (4-3) of Brooksville, Fla.

Also on the card in a featherweight special attraction, Athens Ga.’s Micah Miller (14-4) battles Atlanta, Ga.’s Diego Saraiva (18-9-1).

In other bouts;

-Hanford, Calif. flyweight Luis Gonzalez (2-2) vs. Chino, Calif.’s Darrell Montague (7-1).

- Thousand Oaks, Calif. middleweight Joseph Henle (3-0) vs. Santa Rosa, Calif.’s Collin Hart (2-1).

-Hanford, Calif. flyweight Paulina Ramirez (1-0) vs. Fresno, Calif.’s Stephanie Frausto (2-2).

-Lemoore, Calif. middleweight Andrew Martinez (6-2-1) vs. Sacramento, Calif.’s Mark Matthews (3-4).

-Fresno, Calif. featherweight Gabriel Solorio (5-2) vs. Fresno, Calif.’s Art Becerra (2-1).