This Friday night at the DoubleTree in Sacramento, California, Nasser Navoroni’s Uppercut Promotions returns with a stacked night of regional talent, and a few potential world title contenders or even world champions on the card.

The top bill goes to an undefeated 130 lbs. Malikai Johnson will be fighting Pablo Batres, in a six-round bout. Johnson is very close to getting a trajectory fight or even signing with a management firm with hopes of going to the next level in the next year and quite possibly could be the most exciting emerging fighter from Northern California who is unsigned to a major promoter.

That being said, one of the last memories Malikai will have of his father will be at this same venue, as tragically not long after his last fight, his father passed away. This fight will be a major moment in Johnson’s life, as not just will this be his first fight without his father and best friend, but it will be at the same venue as well. You can’t help but cheer for Malikai in this fight.

One of my favorite fighters in Northern California, Cain Sandoval, a lightweight will face Jude Yniguez, a club show journeyman who has faced Northern California talent in the past. This is scheduled for six rounds, and Sandoval has won each fight by KO.

Kevin Montano, raised in Concord, California, before relocating to Sacramento, California for college will face veteran Corben Page in a four-round bout. This is Montano’s third pro fight, and Montano is signed to David McWater’s Split-T Mgmt, the same company that has Teofimo Lopez on their roster.

Super middleweight Kenny Lopez will be facing fellow unbeaten fighter, Andrew Garcia. I haven’t seen Lopez, but he is getting a lot of respect from people I respect.

Super middleweight Anthony Hernandez will face Alejandro Fugon. Hernandez was set to fight Lopez in his last bout, maybe we will see that next.

Salinas, Ca’s Lizette Lopez will make her pro debut against Neveah Martinez. Leonal Salas’ trained Irving Xilohua will have his second pro fight against Olaf Soto, and welterweight Luis Chavez will face Juan Meza Moreno.