TACOMA, Wash. – CageSport bantamweight champion Christopher San Jose will defend his title against UFC veteran Willie Gates in the main event of CageSport 63 at the Seven Feathers Casino Resort in Canyonville, Ore. on Saturday, May 7.
Tickets for the event are $45 and $55 and can be purchased online at sevenfeathers.com, in person at the Seven Feathers Casino Resort Gift Gallery or by calling 1-800-514-3849.
San Jose will look to run his winning streak to four fights when he faces Gates. The Art of War MMA fighter will be making the third defense of his bantamweight crown. He handed previously undefeated Timothy Lewis his first career setback at CageSport 60, winning by unanimous decision.
In one of the most thrilling title bouts in CageSports’ 14-year history, San Jose successfully turned away challenger Benny Vinson in the main event of CageSport 57 at the Seven Feathers Casino Resort in his first title defense.
Following two rounds of action, which saw both athletes nearly lock in submissions on multiple occasions, San Jose ended the title contest at the 1 minute, 42 second mark of the third round after sinking in a triangle choke which forced Vinson to submit.
Fighting out of Eugene, Ore., San Jose, who defeated Casey Johnson in 2018 at CageSport 51 to capture the bantamweight championship,brings a stellar 8-1 record into the title fight with his only loss coming four years ago against former CageSport champion Journey Newson, who will make his fourth all-time appearance on a UFC card the very same night as CageSport 63 when he meets Fernie Garcia on the undercard of UFC 274: Oliveria vs. Garthje.
San Jose is a perfect 4-0 all-time fighting at CageSport with his first win in the promotion coming against Anthony Zender at CageSport 49.
“Christopher has been an exceptional champion for ourpromotion,” CageSport general manager George Dodd said. “He’s made a pair of title defenses so far and both were extremely exciting fights. He’s just one of those fighters that always puts on a show whenever he steps inside that cage.We expect CageSport 63 to be no different.”
Gates, a member of Pinnacle MMA who fights out of Fontana, Calif., is no stranger to fighting on the big stage as he has competed for the UFC, King of the Cage and Bellator.
Following a bout on the undercard of Bellator 2, Gateswon 11 out of his next 13 fights, drawing the attention of the UFC. He made his UFC debut on the undercard of UFC on Fox: dos Santos vs. Miocic against former UFC flyweight championship contender John Moraga in 2014.
Gates followed up that bout with a win over Darrell Montague in 2015 on The Ultimate Fighter: American Top Team vs. Blackzillians Finale before facing Dustin Ortiz at UFC Fight Night: Teixeria vs. Saint Preuxand Ulka Sasaki at UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski.
In addition to the championship main event, the card will also have a semi-main event between former CageSport champion Kevin Boehm and A.J. Bryant at 145 pounds.
CageSport 63 pre-fight interviews and weigh-ins will take place on Friday, May 6 at the Elements Lounge between 5 and 8 p.m. Admission is free.
CageSport MMA will hold its 62nd show at the YakimaValley SunDome in Yakima, Wash. on April 23.
CageSport 63 is brought to you by Brian Halquist Productions and CageSport MMA. For more information,please visit the CageSport MMA Facebook page and www.halquistproductions.com
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ForInterviews or credential requests, please contact:
General Manager, George Dodd
360-219-3322
george@halquistproductions.com