It’s no stretch to say that interest in mixed martial arts (MMA) is currently at an all-time high.
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The most immediate proof of this popularity is that Ultimate Fighting Championship recently signed a seven-year deal with FOX Sports Media Group, giving the organization a much higher-profile home than Spike TV, its former network. Sure, the UFC-FOX union might have produced the most awkward press conference opening in the history of television, but the union still looks like it's going to be fruitful.
Further evidence of MMA's burgeoning popularity comes in its ability to sustain several companies staying alive at once (although you'd be hard-pressed to find a competitor for UFC). California-based organization King of the Cage is one of the many such companies, and it will present a 14-bout card at Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino tonight (Saturday). Founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock, King of the Cage apparently boasts viewership in "50 million homes in more than 25 countries" via its shows running on pay-per-view, on-demand broadcasting and FOX Sports Net. Tonight's event in Santa Fe, which is subtitled "Rising Sun," has been promoted in press materials as one that will have “hard hitting, No Holds Barred, Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fights” although that statement can’t be wholly accurate. (Otherwise, there will be many kicks to the balls if any of the fighters have any sense.)
An official weigh-in took place at Buffalo Thunder last night. Before the card kicks off at tonight, here are a few tidbits on the event and the men who will be putting their bodies on the line for our bloodlust.
-The sum advertised roster for tonight's event includes Gerald Lovato, Charles Bennett, Lafayette Barela, Trey Solomon, Anthony Sessions, Gene Perez, Miguel Delgado, Ruben Garcia, Brad Richardson, Skyler Pendleton, Ray Borg, Ray Martinez, Fernando Sanchez, Derek Perez, Lance Credeur, Rolando Ross and Mark Farmer. A healthy portion of fighters are representing
-The main event sees Lovato (14 wins, 19 losses, 0 draws) facing the Texas-based Castillo (3, 11, 0). Aside from Lovato having a much better record than Castillo, we're rooting for him over his opponent for three reasons. No. 1, Lovato's from New Mexico, so we've got to have some statewide pride; No. 2, He makes for a solemn but interesting interviewee; and No. 3, he wears a steel gladiator mask to the cage that's inspired by the same one sported by indie rapper MF DOOM. (The guy's a huge DOOM fan, which could probably be point number four.)
-Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett is by far the most fascinating character participating in "Rising Sun." He faces off against Michael Casteel (3, 11, 0). Although Bennett's win-loss record evenly extends in both directions (24, 23, 2), what makes him great is that he's into both playing up the crowd by being a cocky showman and participating in amazing mug shots. (He sure has been in a lot of them.)
-Casteel, on the other hand, is not an easy man to Google, so presumably, he will lose. On the front page of his results, a realtor in
-If you want to follow up your bloodshed with some festivities, an afterparty takes place throughout the casino once the event is over.
Saturday, Sept. 10
Tickets are $40-$75
Grand Ballroom,
30 Buffalo Thunder Trail
877-THUNDER
