Marshall says Tachi duel is no warm-up.
LEMOORE -- There won't be a title on the line when Doug Marshall steps into the ring tonight during Palace Fighting Championships 9.
But that doesn't mean there isn't a whole lot at stake for the Visalia mixed martial artist when he takes on Merced's Phil Collins in a three-round middleweight bout at the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, one of 12 fights on a card dubbed "The Return."
Marshall, arguably the biggest name in MMA to come out of the central San Joaquin Valley, is fighting close to home on a one-bout exemption from his remaining three-fight contract with Las Vegas-based World Extreme Cagefighting, which is owned by Zuffa, also the parent company of industry standard, the Ultimate Fighting Championships.
"Phil's a competitor, so it's a good fight for me," Marshall said. "It's definitely not a warm-up type fight. The biggest benefit for me is fighting here for the central Valley fans. I love fighting for them."
Marshall was the WEC's light-heavyweight champion until March, when he was stopped in the first round by Brian Stann. Marshall said he plans to drop from the light heavyweight limit of 205 pounds and chase another title at 185.
But a loss to Collins -- in a fight contracted for 195 pounds -- would certainly put a monkey wrench into Marshall's plans.
"This is a big fight for him," said PFC president Christian Printup, who helped launch Marshall's career when the WEC's bouts were held at the Palace. "He can't afford to lose. He's got a contract with Zuffa, but I'm pretty sure he could be let out of that contract if he loses. A loss would be a huge blow to his career."
Marshall, 7-3 with four knockouts and three submissions, understands the risk of taking a fight outside the WEC.
He's just not concerned by it.
"I'm a fighter, it's what I do," Marshall said. "If I don't fight, I don't pay the bills."
For his part, Collins (6-3, one KO, four submissions) knows what he's walking into by taking on Marshall: a fight in his opponent's backyard in front of a crowd there to celebrate a returning MMA hero.
"I took the fight for his name," Collins said. "I beat him, then I've got a name. Maybe after I beat him, this will be my house."
Tonight's card also features PFC light heavyweight champion Jorge Oliveira (3-2-1) defending his belt in a five-round match against Isaiah Larson (6-1).
Fresno State shook off a mediocre first half turning it on in the last two quarters to defeat Rutgers 24-7 in the season opener. Your thoughts, concerns, praise heading into the home opener against Wisconsin ...
My thoughts: Good job in getting a win against a decent team.
My conerns: the defense showed up ready to play but also were let off the hook a couple of times on some potentially HUGE plays for Rutgers. Conerbacks need to not play so far off the ball. And when they do come up, they need to bump the receivers, put 'em on their backsides, and quit playing follow the leader.
My praise: Offense came together in the second half and looked pretty good. The key, I think was they made adjustments. Keep it going and develop a killer instinct.
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