Sarnia, ON – Mixed Martial Arts, one of the fastest
growing sports in the world is making its debuted in
Sarnia, after Avant-Guard Promotions announced
Wednesday afternoon that they will be hosting their
first event at the Sarnia RBC Centre on December
3rd, 2011, and a local Sarnia fighter could be in
the main event.
Meltdown in the Valley will feature 10 fights on
the card and be fully sanctioned in Ontario. A 'meet
the fighters' dinner will be held on December 2nd,
while a fan expo will run at the RBC Centre starting
at 1pm on December 3rd, followed by the event which
will begin at 8:30pm.
"I just
feel that this is a great event that has been long
awaited by the area," said Duffy Simon.
"Sarnia-Lambton is a huge fan base for the MMA
Sport. I am excited to see such high calibre matches
right here in our own backyard."
"Having
organized Provincial team trials and participating
as an official in Olympic Team trials, I find this
opportunity of brining live MMA to Sarnia for fans
to enjoy just as exciting," said President of
Avant-Guard Promotions Al Duffy. "Avant-Guard was
created to produce an MMA event with hopes that if
the first one does well, and we certainly think it
will, then the second one will not be to far off."
Sarnia's
own MMA fighter John 'Haggis Basher' Fraser is
excited to have the potential to fight in his very
own community, in front of his family and friends
live for the first time.
"Being a
fighter is all I ever wanted to do," said Fraser.
"Fighting here in Sarnia for me is a good
opportunity, more for my family and friends, who
have not had the chance to see me fight. It's a
great opportunity for me. You will get to see what
type of fighter I am come December 3rd. I'm very
excited, and hopefully this will be my last fight
and then I'll be off to the UFC."
Fraser is
currently the Canadian MMA Featherweight Champion
(145lbs) and the WRECK MMA Champion (135lbs).
Neither title will be on the line in Sarnia's event.
Fraser was most notably one of the last cuts on
UFC's Ultimate Fighter.
CEO of
Avant-Guard Woodrew James plans on having the whole
city in the RBC Centre come December 3rd. James has
ran events in Port Huron where the majority of the
ticket holders are from Sarnia, so selling out the
RBC Centre is not out of the question.
"It is
Sarnia that goes to these Port Huron - Detroit
shows," said James, who has also ran Battle at the
Boarder events in Port Huron. "I really beleieve
[the city] will get behind the athletes of this
sport.
Tickets
for the event go on sale starting October 21st,
starting around $40.
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