James Irvin vs. Jorge Oliveira headlines Tachi Palace Fights 7 on Dec. 2

Nine-time UFC veteran James Irvin (14-7) will return to his California roots in his first fight since his recent release from the world's top mixed martial arts organization.

Tachi Palace Fights officials today announced that Irvin will face former Palace Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Jorge Oliveira (4-2-1) in the main event of Tachi Palace Fights 7.

Tachi Palace Fights 7 takes place Dec. 2 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif. Broadcast plans are expected to be announced at a later date.

A California native, Irvin made his professional debut in 2003 fighting in the Golden State. "The Sandman" also fought four times at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino when the WEC still called the venue home.

Recently, Irvin racked up three straight UFC defeats at the hands of Igor Pokrajac, Alessio Sakara and Anderson Silva and was released from the promotion.

Meanwhile, Oliveira returns to action for the first time since 2008. A Gracie-Barra black belt and three-time Pan-American Games gold medalist, Oliveira made his professional debut in Lemoore at WEC 13 in January 2005 and has fought a total of six times in the venue.

Tachi Palace Fights 7 will also feature the U.S. debut of what many consider the world's top flyweight in Brazilian Jussier da Silva (7-0). "Formiga" takes on California resident Danny Martinez (13-3) who may be best known for a decision loss to recent WEC title challenger Joseph Benavidez at WEC 37 in December 2008.

A pair of title will also be up for grabs on the evening's stacked fight card. Current Tachi Palace Fights featherweight champion Isaac DeJesus (9-2) puts his belt on the line against scrappy challenger Micah Miller (15-4), while local favorite Phil Collins (9-5) faces big-show veteran John Alessio (29-13) for the promotion's vacant welterweight title, which was made available when former champ David Mitchell signed with the UFC.

The full 10-bout lineup for the Tachi Palace Fights 7 card includes:
James Irvin vs. Jorge OliveiraJussier da Silva vs. Danny MartinezChamp Isaac DeJesus vs. Micah Miller (for featherweight title)John Alessio vs. Phil Collins (for vacant welterweight title)Poppies Martinez vs. Tim McKenzieDarren Uyenonyama vs. Chance FarrarJamie Jara vs. Jay SilvaAndy Miranda vs. Sergio QuinonesMike Guidry vs. Jesse WallaceChris Bostick vs. Nik Fekete(Pictured: James Irvin)

View the original article here

HDNet Fights Video Vault: Michihiro Omigawa vs. Young Sam Jung at DREAM.15

In our latest HDNet Fights Video Vault feature, we look back at July's DREAM.15 event and a featherweight bout between Michihiro Omigawa and Young Sam Jung.

Omigawa was the clear favorite with the oddsmakers and the Japanese fans, but his Korean opponent proved more than game.

The fight, which can be watched in its entirety, initially took place July 10 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Each week HDNet and MMAjunkie.com release a new and exclusive fight from the ever-growing HDNet Fights video library. Stunning knockouts, slick submissions, shocking finishes and legendary brawls are the norm for this weekly feature. Omigawa vs. Jung is no exception.

Omigawa (11-7-1 at the time), a former UFC fighter, entered the bout with three straight wins and six victories in his previous seven fights. After defeating a string of notables – including Nam Phan, Marlon Sandro, L.C. Davis and Hatsu Hioki – the former Sengoku fighter was thought to be getting something of a "gimme" in Jung (0-2), a DREAM newcomer who suffered a pair of quick knockout SpiritMC losses in his home country.

Would Omigawa continue his career resurgence, or would Jung pull off the stunning upset?

Check out the video for the answer.

And don't forget to catch the latest DREAM event early Saturday morning (2 a.m. ET/11 p.m. PT Friday) when HDNet provides a live broadcast of DREAM.15. The event includes a bout between Omigawa and Cole Escovedo.

Each week MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) and HDNet Fights (www.hdnetfights.com) team up for "HDNet Fights Video Vault," which offers a new and unique video from the organization's ever-growing fight library. The weekly feature is a continuation of a long-standing partnership between MMAjunkie.com and HDNet. For more information on HDNet, which broadcasts more MMA events than any other TV outlet, visit www.hd.net.

View the original article here