Ultimate fighting strikes Kalispell
Saturday's mixed martial arts event includes 5 locals
Who needs pay-per-view?
Ultimate fighting puts a hold on the Flathead Valley on Saturday with FightForce's Kalispell Kombat, featuring 11 amateur mixed martial arts bouts.
The event begins at 7 p.m. at Gardner Auction Service on US 93, with doors opening at 6.
The card is highlighted by five local fighters, including 145-pounders Josh Clark (2-2) and Zach Dickson (1-1). Mario Andujo (170 pounds) looks to improve his 1-1 record, while Ryan Asay (155) and Dale Joy (185) make their MMA debuts.
Clark and Dickson have spent more than a year training for ultimate fighting. Bigfork's Kevin Moore, who owns FightForce as well as Ultimate Submission Academy on Montana 35, says the pair should be ready for professional action after a few more bouts.
"They're getting to be where they're kind of A-class amateur fighters," Moore said.
Kalispell Kombat is FightForce's first event in Kalispell. Moore expects a capacity crowd of 750-800 to witness the fights, scheduled for two four-minute rounds.
"On an amateur level, this is exactly what you see in UFC," Moore said. "The rules have been modified moderately to accommodate not only the fighters' safety, but also the state athletic commission.
"We don't allow anybody to fight on our fight card unless they are training at an accredited academy. That's the only way that we can ensure a fighter's safety, and to track where they are athletically and match them up."
Dennis Bain will be the event's head referee. According to Moore, Bain is the only professionally certified mixed martial arts referee in Montana.
"A good referee is a huge asset," Moore said. "They know when to stop it for the safety of the fighters.
"In the history of FightForce, we've never had a serious injury, and we're hoping we can keep it that way."
General admission tickets can be purchased for $25 at Fatt Boys Bar and Grille and Army-Navy Surplus of Kalispell, or online at www.fightforce.tv. Reserved seats also can be purchased online for $40.