By JIM CANFIELD
Moapa Valley Progress
Mesquite Gaming and Tuff-N-Uff hosted Mayhem in Mesquite MVI on Saturday, December 15. The fight card featured 12 amateur fights and bill them a Future Stars of MMA.
If Saturday was a sample of the future of MMA, it appears that the future will be hosting more female fights. A full 1/3 of the card were women fighters.
Antinicia Ragges, fighting for Mica’s Jiu Jitsu out of Las Vegas, NV in the 115 lb. category lost her MMA debut but said “I have been training for this about a year and I absolutely love this sport.”
The evening’s first fight featured Sadie Ault 1-1 from St George UT. vs. a very determined Kaycee Pearce from Idaho Falls UT with a 2-0 record. Kaycee advanced to 3-0 after an aggressive first round by both fighters.
The card also held two title fights. Bronson Sabado 7-8 vs David Lopez 7-1. The two fought for the Tuff-N-Uff flyweight championship belt. Lopez a clear crowd favorite, won easily, after Sabado had to tap-out of a serious choke hold.
The second title fight featured Bryan Battle with an impressive 8-1 record fighting Billy Elekana holding a 4-0-1 record. Elekana survived a split decision after a hard fought three rounds to win the Light Heavyweight title.
Joe Hurst III, from Hobbs NM, enjoyed the fastest fight of the night with a 46 second tap-out in the first round.
This head to toe fighting with sensational kicks and flips to the mat may seem like a very dangerous sport. But according to researchers, it is boxing that produces more long-term serious injuries like concussions, eye injuries, and even unconsciousness. Serious injuries occur a lot less in MMA. But, of course, they do happen. This was in evidence on Saturday night as Joshua Tolbirt had to be removed from the ring by Mesquite Fire and Rescue.
Clearly the popularity of the Mayhem in Mesquite is growing with each event. The crowds were near capacity to watch this event with each fighter having plenty of fans cheering them on.
Excitement was kept at a high pitch by the DJ playing booming sounds to from large box speakers surrounding the stage.
