“Tachi Palace Fights 5: Stars and Strikes” takes place tonight, Friday, July 9, 2010, at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.

The event is headlined by former WEC lightweight champion “Razor” Rob McCullough (17-6) vs. Stockton fighter Isaac de Jesus (9-1).

The event will mark McCullough’s first fight outside the WEC since losing a split decision to Karen Darebedyan (9-3) at WEC 44 in Nov. 2009.

At one time considered a real force at lightweight, McCullough’s career has been up and down since losing his title to Jamie Varner (16-3-1, 2 NC) at WEC 32 in Feb. 2008.

After turning pro in 2007, de Jesus won his first eight fights before losing to the very formidable and then undefeated Brandon Visher (13-1) via third round TKO in Sept. 2009. However, de Jesus bounced right back with a TKO win over Nam Phan (15-7) at Tachi Palace Fights 3 in February of this year.

Also competing on tonight’s card, and surrounded by controversy as usual, is The Ultimate Fighter 6 and UFC 84 veteran, War Machine (11-3). If all goes as planned, he will be fighting WEC and UFC veteran John Alessio (28-13).

Other recognizable names on this card include Gabe Ruediger, “Diamond” Dave Kaplan, Poppies Martinez, the fighter known as Hulk Hogan‘s nephew, “King” David Bollea, and Cole Escovedo, to name a few.

ProMMAnow.com will provide live results and play-by-play commentary during tonight’s card beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m. PT / 9:30 p.m. ET.

“TPC 5: Stars and Strikes” quick results:

• Rob McCullough def. Isaac de Jesus by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (4:31)
• David Mitchell def. Poppies Martinez by submission (triangle choke) Rd 1 (1:32)
• John Alessio def. War Machine by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 3 (2:24)
• Michael McDonald def. Cole Escovedo by knockout (punches) Rd 2 (1:12)
• Gabe Ruediger def. Lenny Lovato by TKO (strikes) (3:25) Rd 1
• Dominque Robinson def. David Kaplan by TKO (strikes) Rd 3 (:57)
• Stephen Abas def. Joe de la Cruz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• David Bollea def. Cody Gibson by submission (Bollea arm-lock) Rd 2 (:31)
• Drew Bittner def. Francisco Loredo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

“TPC 5: Stars and Strikes” play-by-play:

Mr. John Morgan is once again performing commentating duties. He worked the Tuff-N-Uff show just last week. This kid is getting around, and seems to be doing like many in this business and working different jobs within the sport. You can follow Morgan on Twitter at www.twitter.com/mmajunkiejohn

The fights are outside, not a cloud in the sky, and the commentators are saying it is quite warm at 95 degrees.

(135 lbs.) Francisco Loredo (4-5) vs. Drew Bittner (3-0)

Round 1 – Leg kick by Bittner, then goes for a takedown. Loredo stuffs him and pushes him against the cage. Loredo looking for his own takedown but Bittner defending. Loredo gets on Bittner’s back, both hooks in while standing. Bittner is in trouble. Loredo lets go of the choke but gets Bittner to the ground. Loredo still has both hooks in while on Bittner’s back. Loredo trying to soften him up with rabbit punches. 2:00 left in the round. Bittner escapes finally and gets top position in Loredo’s full guard. Bittner postures up and rains down some shots before laying back inside Loredo’s guard. Bittner postures up again with a couple more punches. Loredo retains guard as the bell sounds.

Round 2 -Bittner lands a big right hand before shooting in and putting Loredo on his back. Taking up where we left off the first round. Bittner postures up and throws some punches. Loredo threatening with a triangle, then recovers guard. Loredo threatens with an armbar but Bittner is safe and still working from inside the guard, doing very little damage if any. 1:30 left in the round and it’s somewhat of a stale mate. Bittner achieves half guard for about ten seconds before Loredo recovers full guard. Loredo is not allowing Bittner to do anything at all except maintain top position.

Round 3 – Bittner shoots in right away. Loredo defends and takes Bittner’s back. Loredo slips off and Bittner is right back on top for the third round in a row. Loredo trying to set up a kimura. Bittner escapes the kimura and goes back to trying to do damage from the top, however, it’s mostly small punches to the ribs, doing just enough to not get stood up. Ugly fight. Finally the ref stands them up and Bittner shoots immediately. Loredo stops him, grabs his neck and puts some knees in his side. He goes for a guillotine and Bittner ends back on top inside the guard. Bittner probably won via unanimously.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Drew Bittner def. Francisco Loredo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

(155 lbs.) David Bollea (2-0) vs. Cody Gibson (3-0)

Round 1 – They announced Bollea as “The Ultimate Male”. Gibson goes for a takedown. Bollea tries to jump guard, then a spinning kick or something. Gibson presses him against the cage. Bollea pulls guard and Gibson attempts to attack from the top. Bollea being very active from the bottom. Bollea with a ocuple of up kicks, then stands up. Gibson presses Bollea against the cage. Gibson starting to land some big punches as Bollea rolls on his back and goes for Gibson’s leg. Gibson stops him, puts a knee in his gut. Gibson now in Bollea’s full guard, Bollea reverses and takes Gibson’s back. Very slick transition. Bollea transitions to an armbar attempt. He has a figure four body lock from the back and lets go of the armbar. Gibson trying to spin, and he gets Bollea off his back. He stands up, dives with a punch and ends up in a guillotine attempt as the bell sounds.

Round 2 – Both guys exerted a ton of energy in that opening round. Gibson gets a takedown right away, has side control and then Bollea gives up his back. Bollea traps Gibsons arm between his legs, he cranks on Gibson’s neck and submits Gibson. They call this move a “Bollea arm-lock”.

OFFICIAL RESULT: David Bollea def. Cody Gibson by submission (Bollea arm-lock) Rd 2 (:31)

(135 lbs.) Stephen Abas (1-0) vs. Joe de la Cruz (1-0)

Round 1 – Stephen Abas is an Olympic Silver-Medalist and 3xDivision 1 champ according to Mr. Morgan. Now we know why our own Richard Mann loves him. What kind of announcer would not announce Abas’s Olympic credentials?? Strange. Abas puts de la Cruz on his back right away. De la Cruz attempts a guillotine but has no guard control and Abas actually takes mount. De la Cruz still holding Abas’ neck, finally lets it go and de la Cruz gives up his back. Abas has both hooks in and is pounding punches from the back. Not much damage done by either fighter.

Round 2 – Abas gets a body lock as de la Cruz goes for a spinning elbow. Abas has his back once again, gets his hooks in as de la Cruz turtles up. Abas still riding the back with less than a minute to go in the round. Rounds are only 3:00. Abas maintains position but no damage done.

Round 3 – De la Cruz throws a body kick and instantly ends up on his back. De la Cruz has Abas’ neck but there’s no threat of submission, he’s just holding him, as Abas gets side control. Abas takes full mount. Abas rides de la Cruz’s back as he turtles up. They roll to the side momentarily, then Abas back on the turtled de la Cruz. Abas going for a rear-naked choke with :20 seconds left. De la Cruz punches blindly as the bell sounds. Terrible match-up for de la Cruz.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Stephen Abas def. Joe de la Cruz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

(160 lbs.) Dominique Robinson (4-4) vs. David Kaplan (3-3)

Round 1 – Fans will remember Kaplan from The Ultimate Fighter 8. Robinson known as “The Fallen Angel” took the fight on short notice. Kaplan clinches, grabs a single leg, Robinson lands a right hand and Kaplan lets it go. Kaplan lands a couple of leg kicks then goes for a single leg again. He picks Robinson’s leg up in the air but can’t get him down. It’s a clinch game now in the corner of the cage. Kaplan is pressing him into the cage. Kaplan takes a big right upside the head. Leg kicks from Kaplan, but he eats a punch. Kaplan initiates the clinch, pushes Robinson into the cage. Kaplan puts some knees to Robinson’s thighs and they re-set in the center. Body kick from Robinson scores. Kaplan still moving forward, clinches and Robinson lands a knee to the groin of Kaplan. Time out is called. Big leg kick from Robinson. Robinson said he got caught in the groin but Kaplan keeps on the pressure. Robinson hits Kaplan in the groin and time out is called. Ref warns Robinson. Bell sounds just as it is restarted.

Round 2 – Right hand from Robinson, then a combo of punches, Kaplan shoots, gets stuffed, they go back to swinging. Kaplan moves forward, initiates the clinch and puts Robinson against the cage. Kaplan grabs a single but Robinson defends successfully. They square up again. Kaplan throws a few lazy leg kicks. Robinson tries to take his head off with big punches but nothing landing solid until now… he rocks Kaplan, grabs a Thai clinch and lands a big knee. Robinson stalking Kaplan with big punches. Kaplan seems okay and fires back. Kaplan’s strieks have little power whereas Robinson’s shots have much more snap. Robinson lands a knee from the Thai clinch and two big elbows that cut Kaplan’s head. Kaplan still coming forward. He shoots, gets stuffed. Robinson jumps into a guillotine attempt but can’t get it.

Round 3 – Kaplan shoots right away, Robinson stuffs it. Kaplan drops levels, goes for Robinson’s ankle. They stand and Robinson lands a huge knee then two enormous elbows that appears to stop Kaplan cold on his feet. Robinson lands three enormous elbows. Kaplan’s hands are dangling by his side. He almost looks out on his feet as the ref stops it. Kaplan complains about the stoppage but commentators agree it was definitely justified.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Dominque Robinson def. David Kaplan by TKO (strikes) Rd 3 (:57)

(155 lbs.) Gabe Ruediger (16-5) vs. Lenny Lovato (8-0)

Round 1 – This is for the lightweight title. Leg kick from Gabe. They clinch, Gabe lands a punch and pushes Lovato against the cage. Ruediger working from the clinch with dirty boxing and knees to the thighs. They exchange punches, Gabe grabs a Thai clinch and throws a few knees. Gabe gets the takedown and has side control. Ruediger moves to half guard, then side control. Ruediger takes his back has a body lock with his legs and looking for a rear naked choke as Lovato turtles up. Lovato has his chin under Ruediger’s arm for the moment. He rolls to his stomach and Ruediger is pounding over and over with punches to the side of the head. “He’s gotta stop it! He’s gotta stop it,” John Moran exclaims! And he stops it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Gabe Ruediger def. Lenny Lovato by TKO (strikes) (3:25) Rd 1

NOTES: “The Rhino” Doug Marshall promises to break Kyacey Uscola’s jaw in their upcoming bout.

(135 lbs.) Cole Escovedo (16-4) vs. Michael McDonald (9-1)

Round 1 – Bantamweight title fight. McDonald lands the first punches. Leg kick from Escovedo is countered with punches. McDonald with a head kick mostly blocked. McDonald is only 19-years-old. He attacks with punches, puts Escovedo against the cage momentarily with the clinch. They square up again. McDonald being the more aggressive fighter at this point. Escovedo swings, McDonald ducks and grabs a body lock, has underhooks, lets go. They square up again. Escovedo lands a right. Overhand right by McDonald. He locks up Escovedo and puts him on the ground but McDonald leaves him there and stands up, lets up Escovedo. McDonald has a cut on his forehead. He picks up Escovedo and drops him on the mat. Escovedo gets up and they square up again. Escovedo looking very calm, maybe too calm. Body kick from Escovedo and McDonald counters with some big punches then a takedown, and one more takedown at the bell. Big round for McDonald.

Round 2 – Leg kick scores for Escovedo. McDonald lands a big combination and puts him against the cage, lands another shot to the body. Escovedo appears okay but as he moves forward McDonald fires off another big combination that knocks Escovedo out cold on his feet. It was four big right hands that turned off Escovedo’s lights. Michael McDonald gets the title in this rematch.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Michael McDonald def. Cole Escovedo by knockout (punches) Rd 2 (1:12)

(170 lbs.) War Machine (12-3) vs. John Alessio (28-13)

NOTES: War Machine is going to jail for a year in about a week. He’s filling in on late notice for Brad Blackburn who was originally scheduled to fight Alessio. War Machine and Alessio have trained together at Xtreme Couture. War Machine came in at 173 lbs., Alessio was 169 lbs.

Round 1 – Leg kick from War Machine. Another one. Another one. Nice left hook from Alessio, then a body shot. Nice right from War Machine. Leg kick from War Machine. Nice right by War Machine. Alessio with some body shots. Leg kick from War Machine. Alessio with a combination to the head and body. Body punch from War Machine. War Machine shoots, gets the takedown. Alessio with butterfly guard, he scrambles and gets top position. Alessio fires down with punches as the bell sounds. Close round.

Round 2 – Alessio is not breathing hard one bit, whereas War Machine looks a little worn. Alessio gets a body lock and presses War Machine against the cage. Alessio grabs a single leg and dumps War Machine to the ground. Alessio takes his back, has his hooks in. Alessio looking for the choke, gets the figure four body lock with his legs, but lets that go. War Machine reverses and is in Alessio’s full guard. Alessio throws up a triangle but War Machine slips out. Alessio threatens with an armbar. It was deep but War Machine escapes nicely. Alessio immediately takes his back and is threatening with the rear choke again. Less than a minute to go in the round. War Machine slips out, gets back to his feet, shoots in but Alessio sprawls and lands on top and takes side control as the bell sounds.

Round 3 -War Machine with a kick to the groin gets him a time out. War Machine with a leg kick. Alessio punches and War Machine ducks, drives in with a takedown and puts Alessio on his back. Alessio gets back to his feet and is looking for his own takedown and gets it. Alessio takes his back and again is looking for the rear choke. Alessio has the choke deep under his chin. War Machine refuses to tap and goes to sleep. “When you are on your way to prison the last thing you want to do is tap out on the way in,” says the commentator. Nice.

OFFICIAL RESULT: John Alessio def. War Machine by submission (rear-naked choke) Rd 3 (2:24)

(170 lbs.) David Mitchell (10-0) vs. Poppies Martinez (18-6)

Round 1 – Another title fight here with reigning welterweight champ David Mitchell defending. Mitchell shoots, pulls guard. Poppies in half guard, Mitchell gets gogoplata postion, Martinez rolls, ends up in Mitchell’s triangle choke. Martinez goes out on his shield and falls asleep quickly. Wow! Very impressive performance from Mitchell. With Dana White said to be in the audience, look for Mitchell to end up in the UFC sooner or later, as he improves to a perfect 11-0.

OFFICIAL RESULT: David Mitchell def. Poppies Martinez by submission (triangle choke) Rd 1 (1:32)

(160 lbs.) Rob McCullough (17-6) vs. Isaac de Jesus (9-1)

Round 1 – Leg kick scores for McCullough. Leg kick from Jesus twice, then McCullough lands another. Jesus fires punches but they are blocked. Leg kick from McCullough. Leg kick McCullough. Both guys have thrown several punches and kicks that have been blocked effectively. Big leg kick scores for Jesus. Leg kick from McCullough. McCullough is stalking, throws a big combo but Jesus escapes unharmed. Jesus throws a nice punch kick combo that is mostly blocked. Jesus throws a kick, McCullough fires a punch and puts Jesus on his back. McCullough is firing a rain of punishment down on Jesus with about a hundred fast punches, blood splatters, and the ref steps in to stop it. Tito Ortiz is there with McCullough in his corner. McCullough said he would like to fight Gabe Reudiger, who has the belt, next.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Rob McCullough def. Isaac de Jesus by TKO (strikes) Rd 1 (4:31)