Vince Bordi stepped into the cage and onto one of the biggest stages of his mixed martial arts career last Saturday during the Gallus Fighting Championship in San Jose.

He squared off against one of the amateur rank’s more intimidating opponents, as well.

“Whenever you fight a guy who has Cain Velasquez in his corner, that one has to have some sentimental value,” said Bordi, a 2006 Manteca High graduate who took second at the CIF State Wrestling Championship his senior year and went on to wrestle at San Francisco State.

Bordi took on John “Cali the Spartan” Davis, who had the UFC heavyweight champion Velasquez, representing the American Kickboxing Academy of San Jose, in his corner during the main event.

The 25-year old Bordi earned a unanimous decision, improving his record to 9-1 in California Amateur Mixed Martial Arts Organization (CAMO) events.

“(Davis) felt my strength,” Bordi said. “If I have you against the cage, I don’t think anyone is strong enough to move me.”

The former collegiate All-American had his way with Davis and overpowered for most of the 6-minute match. Bordi had his way in the second round and landed several shots.

Bordi, seeded No. 1 in Northern California, won’t fight again until Oct. 12, when he will compete in the regional final of the Titan’s Cage CAMO California State Championship in Sacramento.

 “My goal is to fight (Oct. 12), and after I walk through that guy I’ll have the state finals sometime in November,” he said. “After that I’m hanging up the CAMO shirt and going pro. I just want to go in there and beat a guy so bad I can demand more money and get a better fight next time.

“That was my whole thing with CAMO, to build up my skill and confidence and jump into the pro ranks. Once I win my first pro fight convincingly, once the UFC sees that I beat guys that are well-known contenders, they’ll be looking at me and offer me a contract. I’m at that point now where I feel I can get to that level with the progress I’ve been making so far.”

Bordi took home the Gallus championship trophy – a silver-plated, spiked Spartan helmet – to add to his belts that he won at the Titan’s Cage 5 and the Hooked on Endorphins events.

Bordi wasn’t the only local fighter representing Manteca and Cortez Martial Arts.

East Union alumnus Jason Cortez Jr. (21 years old) also was on the card and tallied his second win against Nohelin Hernandez by weigh of unanimous decision. Cortez Jr. improved to 2-0.

Brandon Hafer (31 years old) of Manteca was the opening act. Hafer picked up a first-round win in 1 minute, 47 seconds, improving his record to 1-1 after defeating Nicholas Craig, who was making his amateur debut.