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)

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Hiroshi Izumi vs. James Zikic added to Sengoku Raiden Championship 15 lineup

Another non-tournament bout has been added to next month's tourney-heavy Sengoku Raiden Championship 15 event.

World Victory Road officials today announced Olympic medalist Hiroshi Izumi (2-1 MMA, 2-1 SRC) meets fellow light heavyweight James Zikic (18-5-2 MMA, 0-0 SRC) at the event.

Sengoku Raiden Championship 15 takes place Oct. 30 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo and airs via HDNet in North America.

Izumi, who as a judoka who won a silver medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics, made his pro MMA debut a year ago and has competed three times under the WVR banner. After suffering a TKO loss to Antz Nansen in his debut, he's since rebounded for a decision win over Katsuyori Shibata and a TKO victory over Chang Seob Lee.

The 28-year-old now meets British fighter Zikic, a former Cage Rage champion and professional boxer who's won five of his past six fights. Zikic, 33, has fought many notables (Fabricio Werdum, Cyrille Diabate, Jeremy Horn, Evangelista Cyborg, Vitor Belfort) during his 13-year career.

Prior to the SRC 15 booking, Zikic meets John Phillips at a Sept. 25 BAMMA 4 event in England.

The latest SRC 15 card now includes:
Hiroshi Izumi vs. James ZikMaximo Blanco vs. Leonardo SantosKeita Nakamura vs. Takuya Wada (welterweight grand-prix semifinal)Yasubey Enomoto vs. Taisuke Okuno (welterweight grand-prix semifinal)Manabu Inoue vs. Jae Hyun So (Asian bantamweight grand prix quarterfinals)Akitoshi Tamura vs. Shoko Sato (Asian bantamweight grand prix quarterfinals)Shunichi Shimizu vs. Wataru Takahashi (Asian bantamweight grand prix quarterfinals)Shintaro Ishiwatari vs. Taiyo Nakahara (Asian bantamweight grand prix quarterfinals)For the latest on Sengoku Raiden Championship 15, check out the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

(Pictured: Hiroshi Izumi)

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