Jaime Jara New Oponent For Metcalf at Gladiator Challenge 66: Battlegrounds

Edson Berto of Orlando, Fla., faces Karl James Noons of San Diego (155-pound match) and Jaime Jara of Sacramento, Calif., will meet Jeremiah Metcalf of Modesto Calif., in a King of the Cage/Gladiator Challenge welterweight championship unification match in the co-featured MMA bouts Friday on SHOWTIME.

Jara is a replacement for Aaron Wetherspoon, who withdrew with an injury. The Gladiator Challenge 185-pound champion, Jara has won nine in a row and is unbeaten the last three years. He is dropping down in weight for this.

In other ShoXC fights to air during a live two-hour premiere telecast of of ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series on SHOWTIME (11 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast), Jefferson "Tanque" Silva faces Aaron Rosa in a 205-pound match; Chris David meets Scott Jorgensen in a 135-pound bout; and Muhsin Corbrey opposes Lee Gibson in a 155-round contest.

The fights are scheduled for three, 5-minute rounds.

For ticket information and sales, please visit www.chumashcasino.com or call the box office at 1-800-585-3737. Friday’s event starts at 8 p.m. PT. Doors open at 7 o’clock.

Five additional fights on Friday will be streamed live on the Internet (www.ProElite.com) immediately following the SHOWTIME telecast.

ShoXC will air regularly on Saturday nights - following the Friday premiere - and will feature fighters from all over the world. In the debut episode, matches will take place in a 20’ x 22’ foot hexagon cage. MMA fights on other ShoXC telecasts may take place in a cage or a ring.

Selected Quotes:

Edson Berto

“This is a weird weekend for my family and me. My brother is boxing Friday night and I am fighting MMA the same night. My father, who is my fulltime trainer, is with me.

“This is going to be an exciting fight; a very good fight for both of us. But it is not going to be an easy. I am confident, of course. Noons is a very good fighter with a good all-around background. He got caught with a lucky punch last time. But I have to win. I came too far too lose.’’

Jeremiah Metcalf

“Fighting a late replacement means I have to change up my game plan but it is not a big deal because I am in great shape and prepared for anything.

“We are both fast-paced guys, so this should make for a really exciting, fast-paced fight.

“Fighting on SHOWTIME is a tremendous opportunity for me and a way for me to get a whole lot of exposure and get my name out there.’’

Jaime Jara

“I took this fight on two days’ notice but it wont matter because I am always in the gym, always training anyway. I am very excited to get the chance to fight on SHOWTIME.

“He sees himself as a fast guy. So do I. Let’s see if I can slow him down a little.’’

Jefferson "Tanque" Silva

“I do not know anything about my opponent (undefeated Aaron Rosa) so I have no idea what to expect when I see him the cage. But it is not what he can or cannot do. It is all about what I can do, and I am always going for a knockout.’’

Anthony Rubalcava

“I am making my pro debut Friday. So today, I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve. I am all excitement. I am 22 now, and this excitement has been building since I was 18 or 19.

“I wrestled four years at Fresno State University so I definitely feel I have a strong ground game. But I feel I have the strength to take the fight anywhere.’’

Lee Gibson

“I have been in MMA for about 15 months and absolutely love it. It is very tough and a lot of hard work, but fun.

“After what I went through as a former Army Ranger and three tours of Iraq where we might get shot at everyday sometimes, this is like a walk in the park. Even if I lose, it is not like anybody is shooting at me.

“I grew up wrestling in Kansas City, but I always have loved to fight. I am really looking forward to my fight on Friday and fighting on SHOWTIME.’’

Source: www.mmaringreport.com