In the main event, Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz takes on Interim Light Heavy Champion Randy Couture for the Undisputed Light Heavyweight Championship.

The co-main event is a battle of giants as 6’8", 265-pound UFC Champion defends his title against 6’10", 265-pound challenger Gan McGee. The undercard features such rising UFC stars as Rich Franklin, Andrei Arlovski, Hermes Franca, and Josh Thomson. A total of 9 fights.

DVD special features include: Spanish commentary, Behind the Scenes Action, & Ultimate Music.

Gladiator Challenge
Soars at Eagle Mountain

Held February 24, 2004
At Eagle Mountain Casino – Porterville, CA
Report and photos by Keith Mills

Rubio (left) vs. Dressler

Although billed as a smaller Gladiator Challenge the show on February 24^th had some memorable moments. These smaller shows feed into the larger Gladiator Challenges which in turn feed into King Of the Cage, Gladiator Challenge’s sister promotion. One of the surprising aspects about this card was the presence of two 808 Fight Factory fighters for what amounted to a local show considering 808 Fight Factory are based in Hawaii. The other was the crowd’s reaction, especially to the ‘grudge matches’ where tribal and local grievances were settled in the cage. There were no belts on the line.

Both Gladiator Challenge and King Of the Cage are known for their preference of standup action and relatively high percentage of knockouts. That is why it was so surprising to see the four main events end in two armbars, a front choke, and a decision. The biggest surprise of the night literally was from the tribal grudge match between Stan Dressler vs. Warren Rubio fight. Dressler weighed in at a whopping 320 lbs. and looked to stand about 7′ tall while Rubio weighed in at 195 lbs. and seemed about 5’9". Some of he fans couldn’t believe it when Rubio actually seemed to be getting the better of the giant standing but Dressler ended the fight with a rear naked choke instead of ground and pound.

Look for a full report in the next issue of Full Contact Fighter.

Full Results

• A.L. Roso def. Tony Very 1:09 R2 by rear choke
• Brian Cota def. Leo Costa by TKO (Costa could not continue between rounds 1 & 2)
• Stan Dressler def. Warren Rubio 2:06 R1 by rear choke
• Bobby Suggs def. Tino Alverado 1:31 R1 by TKO
• Richard Goodman def. Hector Celaya 0:48 R1 by choke
• Rob Villapando def. Miah Mills 1:40 R1 by tapout to strikes
• K.P. Endlen def. J.D. Burnett by judges’ decision (2 rounds)
• Alex Pulotu def. Leo Reyes 2:33 R1 by TKO
• Francisco Ramero def. Go Go Sanchez by TKO between rounds 1 & 2 (cut)
• Robert Escalera def. Pedro Mercado 0:13 R1 by KO
• Felix Garcia def. Frank Megallen by unanimous decision (2 rounds)
• Morris Aldaco def. Caesar Guiterrez 3:01 R1 by TKO
• Dustin Arden def. Anthony Ruiz by unanimous decision (2 rounds)
• Cody Grimes def. Joe Hernandez 2:13 R2 by front choke
• Dan Camarillo def. Robert Breslin 0:39 R1 by armbar
  Camarillo is pictured above slamming Breslin

• Josh Gardner def. Tony Liamas 0:51 R1 by armbar