By ABIGAIL SNOW
Moapa Valley Progress
An enthusiastic crowd gathered at the CasaBlanca Event Center last weekend to watch “Mayhem In Mesquite XII” hosted by Mesquite Gaming and Tuff-N-Uff featuring amateur mixed martial arts competitors.
The Director of Player Development at Mesquite Gaming, Ely Prussin, said he initially created the Mayhem in Mesquite event to bring something new to the community.
“I wanted to add to the culture of Mesquite,” said Prussin. “When I first started with Mesquite Gaming over six years ago, I could see the potential to have more of a variety of activities to pick from. This has grown and become very popular over time.”
Prussin was able to bring aboard Tuff-N-Uff The Future Stars of MMA, who is the largest amateur mixed martial arts organization in the U. S.
“ I have been to the professional MMA fights and they are very expensive to attend,” said Prussin. “Not everyone has the money or ability to go watch those. This way, I could create an event with live MMA competitions for people to see at an affordable price.”
The card that was played was diverse with fighters from Australia, Chicago, New Mexico, and other areas. One fighter, Nick Estrada, from St George brought a large supportive crowd to cheer him on.
Kenny Hale competed against Kaige Caswell in the third round and won by decision.
“He was a tough competitor and we fought until the very end,” said Hale. “When you are in there the time seems to double and it takes a lot out of you. You have to focus on the body in front of you and ignore all of the other distractions or you will be taken out.”
Mayhem in Mesquite was previously running two events a year. Because of popularity, they now hold events in the spring, fall and winter.
Winners of ‘Mayhem in Mesquite XII’: Bout 1 Winner – Denis Actis :15 sec 1st TKO. Bout 2 Winner – Lochie Eadie (debut) (Unanimous decision/UD). Bout 3 Winner – Kenny Hale (debut) UD. Bout 4 Winner – Nathan Holbrook 1:20 1st . Bout 5 Winner – Josh Remington 1:46 1st TKO. Bout 6 Winner – Zachariah Thorne 1:56 1st (Rear naked choke/RNC). Bout 7 Winner – Enrique Cervantes :7 3rd TKO. Bout 8 Winner – Zach Raue-Holbrook (debut) :16 1st (guillotine choke/G Choke. Bout 9 Winner – Rodney Rampersad (debut) UD. Bout 10 Winner – Clay Matza 2:00 2nd TKO
