4th & B Events Center to host the Shannon Gugerty vs Cruz Gomez fight
Sunday, July 24th, the 4th & B Events Center in downtown will be hosting the California Fight Syndicate’s MMA Show, The Uprising featuring UFC lightweight standout Shannon Gugerty taking on Cruz Gomez. Also on the card are Strikeforce fighters, Gareth Joseph, Casey Ryan, and former UFC fighter, Wade Shipp. In total they have scheduled six pro and five amateur bouts.
Some of the celebrity fighters who are expected to attend: UFC legend Vitor “Phenom” Belfort, UFC Champion Dominick “Dominator” Cruz, three time UFC KO of the night winner, Jeremy “Lil Heathen” Stephens, StrikeForce Champion, Phil “Mr Wonderful” Davis, Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez and Dean Lister. Doors open at 3 p.m. with the fights starting at 4 p.m.
For additional info: http://www.4thandbevents.com or http://www.cafightsyndicate.com.
In this photo, Shannon Gugerty exudes confidence
Gugerty, real name Shaun Geraghty, is from Chula Vista. While attending Hilltop High School, the well liked student was a member of the school’s wrestling team. After high school he continued his training at City Boxing downtown where he fell in love with the Mixed Martial Arts. From there he moved on to train with Brandon Vera at the newly opened Alliance Fitness and Training Center on Third Avenue in Chula Vista and then another close friend and early mentor, Dean Lister, talked him into moving over to Victory MMA in Point Loma where he could not only train but spar with some of the best talent from the area. After becoming proficient in his specialty of Brazillian Ju Jitsu, he was hired as an instructor, a position he relishes and feels totally committed.
Gugerty made his MMA debut in 2005 in Total Combat 4 and appeared prominently on the Total Combat schedule until moving up to the UFC. After signing to appear against the then-undefeated Dale Hartt at the UFC Fight Night 14, he defeated Hartt by submission in round one.
In his next bout, he went up against and lost to Spencer Fisher at UFC 90. No excuses but Gugerty was a last-minute replacement for Melvin Guillard. Then he defeated wrestling specialist Matt Grice at UFC 100. Against Terry Etim on November 14, 2009 at UFC 105, Gugerty lost via a second round submission (guillotine choke), which Etm had locked in for almost 30 seconds before Gugerty finally tapped.
On March 21, 2010, Gugerty faced his toughest opponent to date, Clay Guida at UFC LIVE: Vera vs. Jones, replacing an injured Sean Sherk. He lost via a second round submission. Following the loss, Gugerty was given his release from the UFC.
During our interview, I mentioned the public’s perception of Shannon Gugerty. The fact that he always comes across as the Good Guy, so mild manner and never showing any ill will towards his opponent at the weigh-ins or press conferences.
Gugerty’s reply: “I don’t believe in intimidation. Once you’re in that octagon to compete, the switch goes on and you turn into a warrior. All the earlier smack talk seems so immaterial.”
Of all the people who have helped you along the way, who have you learned the most from? Who has been the most inspirational?
Gugerty: “First it was Dean Lister and Brandon Vera, then Tony Palafox has been my striking coach, Diego Sanchez, Toby Imada, submission of the night, and of course Helio Gracie’s son Royler Gracie. At this point I’m gaining the most benefit from my 10 sparring partners. At the gym our sparring sessions have become so intense that you’ll see crowds gathering to watch. Guys like Jeremy Stephens, KO of the night in the UFC, Fabricio “Morango” Camoes.”
The most fun or the best thing that’s happened to you thus far in your MMA career?
Gugerty: “I’d have to say the five fights while in the UFC. It was a great time!” And then chuckling he said, “It’s decent money.”
Of course being in the UFC made you a big time celebrity. Did you get to meet any one special, like from Hollywood? Like when Manny Pacquiao recently met Paris Hilton.
Gugerty: “I’m not really into the Hollywood types. But it did blow my mind when I was in the main event of this show in Arizona and I saw these two gents going out of their way to get close to me and congratulate me. “You did a great job, Shannon!” It was Wesley Snipes and Cuba Gooding Jr. was with him. Oh, and I guess the biggest perk of all was getting to throw out the first pitch at a Padre game. What a thrill with my family in the stands. They gave me a Padre jersey with my name on it.”
What do you know about your opponent, Cruz Gomez?
Gugerty: “Besides the fact that he has two last names? Not much. He’s had a nice career in the WEC and been in there against a lot of people. Plus, they told me he’s going to have Chuck Liddell in his corner.”
Shannon Gugerty’s Mixed Martial Arts resume:
Record: 13 wins – 6 losses
Breakdown of his wins: 4 (T)KOs (30.77 %)
9 Submissions (69.23%)
Breakdown of his losses: 1 by TKO, 3 by Submission and 2 by Decision
Home gym: Victory MMA in Point Loma, San Diego, CA.
Height: 5’10” Weight: a consistent 155 pounds
Age 29 Born: 12-30-1981
Last time out: Gugerty defeated Roscoe Jackson on 11/19/2010.
Method: TKO (Punches) at 0:30 mark of round one at Desert Rage Full Contact 8.
Prior fights: 9/10/2010 a unanimous decision loss to Dennis Bermudez at Shine Fights 3 at the 2010 Lightweight Grand Prix
3/21/2010 a loss by Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) in the second round to Clay Guida undercard of UFC Live 1 – Vera versus Jones
11/14/2009 a loss by Submission (Guillotine Choke) to Terry Etim 3:40 of the second round at UFC 105 – Couture versus Vera
7/11/2009 a win by Submission over Matt Grice (Guillotine Choke), 2:36 of first roundUFC 100 – Lesnar vs. Mir 2
10/25/2008 a loss by Submission to Spencer Fisher (Triangle Choke) 3:56 of the 3rd round at UFC 90 – Silva vs. Cote
7/19/2008 a win by Submission over Dale Hartt (Rear-Naked Choke) 3:33 of the first round – UFC – Fight Night 14
4/26/2008 a win by TKO over Noah Tedescoa at 4:04 of the 1st round at the Desert Rage Full Contact Fighting 3
3/22/2008 a win by Submission over Johnny Torres (Guillotine Choke) in round 2 at Total Combat 27
12/15/2007 a win by TKO (Punches) over Lucas Factor at 1:05 of round 1 at Total Combat 25 – Fight Club
6/23/2007 a win by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) over Paris Ruiz in round one at COF – Face Off
6/8/2007 a win by Submission (Triangle Choke) over Joe Nicholas at 1:35 of round two at Total Combat 21
11/4/2006 a win by Submission (Punches) over Joey Radanzzo 1:52 of round one at Total Combat 18 – Nightmare
9/9/2006 a win by TKO (Punches) over Jose Carrillo at 2:24 of round one at Total Combat 16 – Annihilation
3/11/2006 a loss by TKO (Punches) to Cub Swanson at 3:40 of the round two at Total Combat 13 – Anarchy
12/17/2005 a loss by Decision (Unanimous) to Shawn Bias at 5:00 of round three at Total Combat 12
7/30/2005 a win by Submission (Armbar) over Anthony Griffin in round one at Total Combat 9
1/29/2005 a win by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) over Josh Valencia in round one at Total Combat 7
7/25/2004 a win by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) over Cub Swanson at Total Combat 4
Cruz Gomez on top.
Cruz Gomez’s Mixed Martial Arts resume:
Born: Santa Margarita, California
Currently lives in San Luis Obispo, California
Age: 32
He weighs 155 pounds and stands 5′ 9″ tall.
Fighting Experience: Gomez began his formal training Feb. 11, 1998 under the tutelage of Chuck Liddell and Scott Adams. His fight career began in August of 1999. After only eight months of Jui-Jitsu training he became the grappling instructor at SLO Kickboxing. In February of this year, he became the owner of S.L.O. Kickboxing. Gomez has fought Pro MMA for 12 years and like Gugerty, he holds a brown belt.
His connection with Cal Poly: Gomez, who now trains with the SLO wrestlers, is a member of the S.K.S. Fight Team
Cruz Gomez’s Professional Record is 15-8
08/14/2010 a win over Douglas Hunt at 3:27 of the first round, a TKO/Referee Stoppage from Strikes at Fight for Wrestling
05/22/2010 a win over Eddie Hoch, a majority decision after 3 rounds at SLO Cal Poly
10/02/2009 a win over Brandon Jinnies, a TKO/RSC Referee Stoppage 1:42 of the second round, a CA Fight Syndicate show
It ain't all hearts and flowers when you have a guy like Cruz Gomez on top of you.
08/15/2008, a loss to Rodrigo Jara after 3 rounds, by unanimous decision at Pure Combat
05/09/2008, a loss to Isaac De Jesus, a split decision after 3 rounds at Pure Combat
06/17/2002, a loss to Richard Crunkilton, 3:04 of round one, TKO/RSC Referee Stoppage from Punishment at WEC 3: All or Nothing
12/15/2001, a win over Abe Rodriguez, at 1:47 of the first round, Submission Arm Bar from the Guard at the event called Shogun
10/04/2001, a win over David Bancroft, 3:37 of the first round, Submission Strikes at the event called WEC 2: Clash of the Titans
06/30/2001, a win over Isais Martinez at 4:58 of the first round, KO Elbows on the Ground at the event called WEC 1: Princess of Pain
05/29/2001, a loss to Stephen Paling III, a Majority Decision after 2 rounds. The event: Warriors Quest 1: The New Beginning
04/11/2001, a win over Josh Hernandez, 1:05 of the first round, at the event called International Fighting Championship: Warriors Challenge 12
06/03/2000 a win over Matt Phillips, Submission Heel Hook at 1:24 of the first round at the event Cobra Fighting Federation: Cobra Challenge 2000
06/03/2000, a Unanimous Decision loss to Jason Meaders at an event called Cobra Fighting federation: Cobra Challenge 2000
05/04/2000, a Split Decision win after two rounds over Jay Pages at an event called Universal Above Ground Fighting: Best of the Best
05/03/2000, a Submission win at 6:31 of the first round by rear naked choke over Mark Frazier at the International Fighting Championship: Warrior’s Challenge 7
03/11/2000, a Submission win at 1:50 of the first round by Rear Naked Choke over Kenny Tenorio at the event called Cobra Fighting Federation: Cobra Open 2000
12/11/1999 a Submission win by Rear Naked Choke over Jeff Cahill at 3:09 of the first round at Cobra Fighting Federation: Cobra Open 1999
11/30/1999 a Submission win by Triangle Choke over John Alessio at the Universal Above Ground Fighting: Rumble in the Jungle
10/23/1999 a Submission win at 1:28 of the first round by Heel Hook over Bobby Gamboa at the event Cobra Fighting Federation: The Cobra Qualifier
09/18/1999 a Submission win over Ronnie Barnwell at the International Fighting Championship: Warrior’s Challenge 5
09/18/1999 a Submission loss to Joe Hurley at the International Fighting Championship: Warrior’s Challenge 5
08/07/1999, a Submission loss by Arm Bar to Adam Casteneda at 2:32 of round one at the International Fighting Championship: Warrior’s Challenge 4
08/07/1999, a Submission loss by leg lock to Philip Perez at 2:01 of the first round at the International Fighting Championship: Warrior’s Challenge 4
