Fight Night V Brings Rising Stars, Veterans and Bay Area MMA Energy Back to San Jose

The Bay Area’s premier regional combat sports promotion returns on June 13 as Fight Night V takes over the Tech CU Arena in San Jose, California. Led by former Strikeforce and Bellator architect Scott Coker, the event continues to build momentum as one of the most intriguing regional shows on the West Coast, showcasing a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging prospects looking to take the next step in their careers.

The event takes place at Tech CU Arena, a venue that has become synonymous with Fight Night’s growing presence in Northern California. Previous events have featured notable names including Jessica-Rose Clark and Cris Cyborg, helping establish the promotion as a destination for both rising talent and established stars.

Main Event: Joe Thurrott vs. Albert Gonzales

Headlining Fight Night V is a professional middleweight showdown between Joe Thurrott (5-2) and Albert “BigAl” Gonzales (3-7). While the records may suggest a clear favorite, regional MMA has long been known for producing surprises, and Gonzales enters the matchup with the experience advantage despite his inconsistent results. Thurrott has quickly developed a reputation as one of Northern California’s more promising prospects and enters the fight as the favorite among Tapology predictions.

For Thurrott, this fight represents an opportunity to continue climbing the regional rankings and position himself for larger opportunities. Gonzales, meanwhile, has nothing to lose and everything to gain by derailing a rising prospect in front of a hometown crowd.

Co-Main Event: Ulzii-Orshikh vs. Edmund Kwan

The most competitive matchup on paper may actually be the co-main event.

Temuujin Ulzii-Orshikh (4-1) squares off against Edmund Kwan (4-1) in a lightweight contest featuring two fighters with identical records and similar aspirations. Both athletes are ranked among the top lightweight prospects in the Western United States, making this a pivotal bout for regional positioning.

Ulzii-Orshikh brings a height and reach advantage into the contest, while Kwan has consistently shown the ability to close distance and make fights competitive. With both fighters sitting at 4-1, this bout has all the ingredients to become the night’s breakout performance.

Other Fights to Watch

Andre Soukhamthath Returns

One of the most recognizable names on the card is former UFC veteran Andre Soukhamthath, who faces Hector Fajardo in a bantamweight contest. Soukhamthath’s UFC experience makes him one of the most accomplished fighters competing at Fight Night V, and fans will be watching closely to see whether he can use that experience to make a statement.

Heavyweights Bring Finishing Potential

Chuck Campbell meets Kyle Clark in a 205-pound matchup that many local observers believe could produce fireworks. Clark has previously been identified by Bay Area MMA followers as a prospect with significant knockout power and a strong wrestling pedigree. If either man lands clean, this fight may not need the judges.

MEET Cris Cyborg at the fights

Cris Cyborg will be attending San Jose Fight Night V at the Tech CU.  Fans who watched her professional boxing fight against Precious Harris McCray will have an opportunity to meet the 18x MMA World Champion from 6-7 as she takes photos and signs autographs with fans in attendance.  Cris Cyborg is expected to make a return to PFL MMA this August.  Cris Cyborg is the only Combat Sports Athlete to hold a major world title in professional boxing and MMA at the same time.

A Promotion on the Rise

Fight Night San Jose has steadily carved out a niche in California’s crowded combat sports landscape. Fans who attended previous events have praised the production quality and atmosphere, with some comparing the presentation to the early days of Strikeforce when San Jose served as one of MMA’s premier destinations.

With Scott Coker’s promotional experience behind the scenes and a commitment to developing regional talent, Fight Night V represents another step in the organization’s growth. While there may not be UFC rankings on the line, these are often the types of events where future stars are discovered before the rest of the MMA world catches up.

For Bay Area fight fans, June 13 offers another opportunity to witness the next generation of talent compete under the bright lights of Tech CU Arena. And if past Fight Night events are any indication, expect action, finishes, and at least one fighter to leave San Jose with significantly more attention than they arrived with.