FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Welch Successful in Clinch FC Flyweight Title Defense
Toppenish, Washington – Alvin Welch highlighted a stellar Clinch FC XIII card by defending his flyweight championship with a victory over Hector Lopez on Saturday at Legends Casino Resort in Toppenish, Wash.
Welch improved his career record to 6-1 after putting away Lopez by second-round Rear Naked Choke (3:22). The title defense came nearly one year after the Spokane fighter claimed the vacant flyweight crown at the same venue when he defeated Jose Hernandez by split decision on Nov. 2, 2024.
Lopez, fighting out of nearby Yakima, fell to 4-3 with the set back. The title contest was a rematch from a July 20, 2024 fight which saw Welch defeat Lopez by split decision.
Highlighting the undercard was Mykenna Stougard, who defeated Erin Scheidt by first-round TKO (4:38) to improve her amateur record to a spotless 6-0. A Yakima native, Stougard is ranked as the fourth pound-for-pound female fighter in the Pacific Northwest.
On the pro undercard, Jonathan Hanes (170 pounds) posted a unanimous decision over Geovanny Salazar, appearing as the 30-27 winner on all three judge’s scorecards; Esteban Martinez won his 125-pound bout against Eddie Ortiz by first-round TKO (1:15); and Cody McClanahan defeated Quenton Hansen by first-round submission (Rear Naked Choke, 2:25) in a 145-pound contest to improve his career mark to 2-0.
Sam Mednick won his pro debut, defeating Antonio Neal by unanimous decision at 135 pounds and Aaron Klinghardt (205) defeated Aledre Bracey by first-round TKO (1:29).
Matt Howard bested Kaiden Palmer in an amateur 150-pound match by first round TKO (2:55), and JJ Kuljo opened the card with a third round win via Guillotine Choke (1:51) over fellow 170-pound amateur Mohammad Ali.
Clinch FC will return to Legends Casino Resort on Saturday, March 21, 2026.