CRIS CYBORG VS. KELSEY WICKSTRUM TO HIGHLIGHT WFC 163 AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO

Fight will be streamed via Spectation Sports

TEMECULA, CA — January 11, 2024 — World Fighting Championships returns Jan. 19 at the beautiful Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a stacked card highlighted by Cris Cyborg vs. Kelsey Wickstrum in the main event.  The card is WFC’s first of the year, and first at the casino. It will be streamed beginning at 7:00 p.m. on the 19th at spectationsports.com. 

Cris Cyborg (1-0), who is currently #1 pound-for-pound fighter in Bellator’s women’s rankings, embarks on her second fight of her professional boxing career. Cyborg shined in her professional debut in 2022, knocking down Gabrielle Holloway en route to a four-round, wide unanimous decision in Omaha.  

“I am excited to be making my California boxing debut with Pechanga Casino and WFC,” said Cyborg.  “Kelsey Wickstrum is ranked #3 in the USA at super welterweight for women’s boxing, and it will be a great challenge.”

Cyborg’s opponent, undefeated Kelsey Wickstrum (2-0, 1KO) is coming off a first round stoppage win over Sudana Moore last April in Maryland.  

“My team and I feel great about this fight,” said Wickstrum. “I am very grateful for the opportunity. This is the biggest fight of my career against a legendary woman in the world of mixed martial arts and women’s combat sports. All my preparation leading up to this fight was to make sure I am prepared mentally and physically to handle this fight, no matter what direction it may go. I am confident in my skills and I bet on me always. I am always the underdog and I am always overlooked, which has proved to be a mistake. One thing about me is I always come prepared and I do not come to lose. I expect nothing less than an awesome fight and performance.”

“This is a great card to kick off 2024 for World Fighting Championships,” said Matt McGovern, promoter and CEO of WFC.  “We’re excited to have Cris Cyborg on the card, and she is facing a very tough opponent in Kelsey Wickstrum.  We’re very grateful to Pechanga Resort Casino and the Pechanga Band of Indians for partnering with us on this event.” 

In the co-main event, San Diego’s Jesus Resendiz (7-0-1, 5KO) faces Rosekie Cristobal (15-6, 11KO) of the Philippines in a six-round bout at welterweight. Resendiz is coming off a third round knockout over Jose Leon.  Cristobal will be fighting for the first time since 2021.  

Also on the card, San Diego super lightweight Angel Estrada (10-1-1, 7KO) faces Frank Brown (3-3-2, 1KO) of San Antonio.  Super welterweights Angel Munoz (5-0, 4KO) and Keith Carson (1-6-1) face off, and Californians Freddie Johnson (debut) and Alex Gutierrez (0-3) mix it up at super featherweight. 

Kevin Salgado (4-1, 2KO) will be in action at 147 lbs, Fernando Gonzalez (debut) faces John Darcy (2-1, 2KO) at light heavyweight, Ulysses Navarro (1-0, 1KO) and Michael Hansen (debut) square off at featherweight, Christian Tinoco (debut) will face brandon Truong (0-1), and Jack May (8-0, 7KO) faces Trevor Kotara (3-3-1, 1KO) at heavyweight. 

The card will also feature several amateur bouts. 

The event will be live streamed beginning at 7 p.m. PST/10 p.m. EST at spectationsports.com.  Tickets for WFC 163: Cyborg vs. Wickstrum begin at $45 and can be purchased at wfcfights.com. Doors to the Pechanga Summit open at 6:00 p.m., and first bell is at 7:00 p.m.