WEST HAVEN -- "What can a boxer do in the MMA world?" is the question Ogden cruiserweight Val Tinajero will find out this Saturday night.
At the latest Total Mayhem card at The Gym in West Haven, Tinajero, who has logged eight wins against three losses as a boxer, will make his MMA debut against Ogden's Francisco Alcantara, known as the "Fighting Barber."
The card begins at 7 p.m.
Tinajero has drawn a tough test for his MMA debut. Alcantara is on a three-bout winning streak, including a second round-stoppage of Mike Robinson at The Gym last June.
The main event features MMA pros Mike Crisman versus Mike Arrant. There are several MMA bouts including local fighters Sooksan Simpleman and Wade Martinson meeting and Josh Buck fighting Kevin Allred.
There will be boxing on the card as well, highlighted by undefeated Clearfield welterweight Eddie Cordova meeting Ogden's Francisco "Poncho" Valdez.
As for Tinajero, he doesn't want to give up boxing.
He's had a decent career. His losses have been to a former cruiserweight champ, King Arthur Williams, former U.S. champ, Gary Gomez, and Brazilian KO artist, Julio Cesar Dos Santos, who Tinajero was fighting on even terms before a bad cut stymied him.
However, as other local boxers, such as heavyweight Billy Zumbrun, have faced, it's tough getting quality opposition to come to the Top of Utah. Even pedestrian opponents get much more money for traveling here. Unable to make a good payday boxing, Tinajero said "the counteroffer was a MMA fight. It won't hurt to try it out," he added.
For now, Tinajero sees MMA as a one-shot deal, a chance to earn a payday for his daughters, Kyara, 6, and Jazlynnn, 5, as well as his girlfriend, Angie. Against Alcantara, he'll be fighting as a striker, an MMA fighter who relies primarily on punching.
Ideally, he'd like to knock out the "Fighting Barber" Alcantara quickly with punches, and avoid fighting on the mat, where Alcantara has more experience.
But if that doesn't happen, he's preparing himself for a mat fight. "I'm learning how to get out of takedown techniques," said Tinajero. With his trainers, he's focusing on defensive MMA maneuvers, as well as choke holds, kicks and slams. "It's all precise ... I'm coming in sort of blindfolded but prepared," he added.
He's been sparring with wrestlers, kick boxers, as well as his favorite boxing sparring partner, Freddie Martinez, who he says is "by far the best sparring partner in Utah." The two have had some entertaining rounds at Foley's Gym in Ogden preparing for the bout.
The Gym is located at 2805 South, 2025 West in West Haven. The card starts at 7 p.m.
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