‘Professor X’ Headlines TPF 2

UFC castaway Xavier Foupa-Pokam will lock horns with Anthony Ruiz in the featured bout at Tachi Palace Fights 2 on Thursday at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif. The middleweight tilt will headline an 11-fight lineup.

Foupa-Pokam enters the matchup on a two-fight losing streak, which resulted in his dismissal from the UFC. The 27-year-old Frenchman last appeared at UFC 98 in May when he succumbed to Drew McFedries strikes in 37 seconds. A proven finisher, “Professor X” has delivered 18 of his 20 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission.

Ruiz, a late replacement for World Extreme Cagefighting veteran Mike Moreno, has not competed since he knocked out Gan McGee at Pure Combat 9 in July. The well-traveled 32-year-old Californian holds notable victories against former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth and “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 2 heavyweight finalist Brad Imes. He has been knocked only once -- by Jaime Jara -- in 35 career bouts.

In the co-main event, former Palace Fighting Championship titleholder Diego Saraiva will meet Eddie Yagin. The 27-year-old Saraiva will carry a four-fight winning streak into the match; the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has never been finished. Yagin, meanwhile, has not tasted defeat in nearly six years.

TPF 2 will also feature a light heavyweight clash pitting Pride Fighting Championships veteran Cyrille Diabate against Rob Smith and a flyweight matchup pairing Ulysses Gomez with Chino Nicolas.

Tachi Palace Fights 2
Thursday, Dec. 3
Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino
Lemoore, Calif.

Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Anthony Ruiz
Diego Saraiva vs. Eddie Yagin
Cyrille Diabate vs. Rob Smith
Ulysses Gomez vs. Chino Nicolas
Marcus Gaines vs. David Mitchell
Shad Lierley vs. John Reedy
Jesse Bowen vs. Shawn Klarcyk
Mike Guidry vs. Carl Seumanutafa
Luis Santos vs. Jake Paul
Romulo Melo vs. Luciano Isais
Cody Gibson vs. Ray Cervera