TACOMA, Wash. - Former Oregon State University fullback Clayton York will look to remain undefeated when he steps back into the cage on Saturday, May 5 as part of the CageSport 51 undercard at Seven Feathers Casino and Resort in Canyonville, Ore.

York, a light heavyweight who played for the Beavers between 2008 and 2012, brings a perfect 3-0 record into his contest against Matt Howell of Grants Pass.

The nine-bout card will feature a 5-round main event between undefeated Eugene fighter Christopher San Jose and Portland veteran Benjamin Vinson for the CageSport Bantamweight Championship. Tickets are available online at sevenfeathers.com, in person at the Seven Feathers Gift Gallery or by calling 800-514-3849. Preliminary bouts start at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

"This will be CageSport's first ever show in Oregon and what better way to introduce the best MMA promotion in the Northwest to the Oregon fans than to have one of the best up-and-coming light heavyweights who is from the area fight on the card?" promoter Brian Halquist said. "Clayton has just been phenomenal since he turned pro a little more than a year ago. He is a former Pac-12 football player who has seamlessly made the transition to MMA. We expect him to put on a show."

After graduating from Redmond High School, where he was named the 2007 defensive player of the year in the Class 6A Central Valley Conference, York walked on at Oregon State, turning down scholarships from several colleges, including Western Oregon University.

He earned four letters in Corvallis, starting four games during his career, while helping the Beavers to a nine-win season and an Alamo Bowl appearance during his senior year in 2012. One of York's top highlights as a Beaver came when he was named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown in a win over Arizona in 2011.

"My experience as a football player for Oregon State has shaped who I am as an athlete," said York, who studied sports science: pre-physical therapy in college, "and I am thrilled to represent Beaver Nation beyond football as a fighter."

York, who is currently one of the top-ranked light heavyweights in the Pacific Northwest, made his MMA debut on March 3, 2017, winning his first professional fight by first-round submission.

He followed up that victory with another lightning-quick win, defeating Drumanie Davis by first-round KO (1:23) on May 27, 2017.

York's biggest win to date occurred last September when he handed Justus Faaiu his first career setback after winning by unanimous decision.

"The talent in Oregon is as good as anywhere else in the world and I'm happy to be a part of it," said York, who got into Jiu Jitsu after football. "I've matured as a fighter every fight. My striking is always improving, but stands out the most since turning pro."

CageSport will hold its 50th show at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash. on April 28. The promotion has featured approximately 500 fights since its inaugural show in 2008 with more than 20 of its competitors going on to fight in the UFC, including former women's world bantamweight champion Miesha Tate, Julian Erosa, Anthony Hamilton, Trevor Smith, Julianna Pena, Michael Chiesa, Nathan Coy, Cody McKenzie, Bryan Caraway, Sam Sicilla and John Albert.

CageSport 51 is brought to you by Brian Halquist Productions and CageSport MMA. For more information, please visit the CageSport MMA Facebook page and www.halquistproductions.com

ABOUT BRIAN HALQUIST
Brian Halquist Productions is the Northwest premiere fight promotion company creator of the famed "Battle at the Boat" boxing series promoting more than 20 years and over 150 fights at the Emerald Queen Casino. BHP has also built the largest professional MMA series on the USA's west coast with "CageSport MMA" nearing more than 50 fights. Brian Halquist Productions has promoted events for ESPN, ShowTime and HBO and featured on Showtime's historic boxing event in St Lucia, West Indies. Brian Halquist Productions has been promoting fights and concerts for over 30 years in the Pacific Northwest.