Tachi Palace Fights will be the home to NCAA Division I national wrestling champion Bubba Jenkins' highly anticipated pro-MMA debut.
Tachi officials today told MMAjunkie.com (
www.mmajunkie.com) Jenkins fights fellow lightweight newcomer Chris Huerta at a December event.
"Tachi Palace Fights 11: Redemption" takes place Dec. 2 at Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.
As one of the sport's top regional promotions, Tachi has produced a small army of top prospects, many of whom have gone on to fight in the UFC.
Jenkins could be one of the most promising prospects yet.
The 23-year-old, who won this year's NCAA title at 157 pounds, concluded a career at Penn State and Arizona State with a 94-24 record, including a 21-3 mark in his championship 2010-2011 season. Even before defeating then-undefeated (38-0) David Taylor in the championship match back in March, Jenkins announced his intentions of moving into MMA.
After earning a state championship in high school, Jenkins began his career at Penn State, where he was a 2008 runner-up at 149 pounds. But after a clash with new coach Cael Sanderson, he transferred to Arizona State and had his most successful season. Taylor, whom he beat in this year's NCAA finals, competed for Penn State.
He recently joined the Florida-based American Top Team to aid his move into MMA.
Huerta is based our of California and has logged some cage time in the amateur ranks.
Source: NCAA champ Bubba Jenkins makes pro MMA debut at Tachi Palace Fights 11