MMA: Crown Fighting Championships and fighting for a cause; STGnews Videocast interviews

Matt Arrington, from St. George, at the Weigh-In
Matt Arrington, from St. George, at the Weigh-In for the Crown Fighting Championship, Iggy's Sports Grill, St. George, Utah, Jan. 25, 2013 | Photo by Sarafina Amodt, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Ask Average Joe about MMA and he may mention bloody fights, concussions and cauliflower ears.

Fighters 2011 | Photo by Todd Tischler, St. George News

Southern Utahns have the opportunity to find that it is so much more than that this Saturday night when Crown Fighting Championships presents an 11-fight card at the Dixie Convention Center.

The 7 p.m. event features a slew of local fighters as well as some nationally known MMA stars. The main event features Chris Kennedy vs. Danny Davis, Jr.

“So far, every fight’s a go, although you never know about last minute injuries,” fight organizer Aaron Reis said.

Sam Edwards, Matt Arrington, Brandon Hart and Ryan Phillips are among the locals fighting on the undercard. Their reasons for fighting are as varied as their hairstyles.

Edwards, a 32-year-old father of four who ran the St. George Ironman Triathlon last year, is looking to make another X on his bucket list.

Arrington fights in memory of his late son, Lock. Phillips, formerly of Delta, transitioned into mixed martial arts after a stellar wrestling career in high school. Hart, a St. George resident for nine years, says he’s addicted to MMA and the extreme fitness required of the discipline.

Before the cage matches begin, CFC will present a “Key to the Cage,” to St. George youth Pano Tiatia, who is a five time Junior Golden Gloves boxing champion. Tiatatia is also a football player at Pine View High School.

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The match-ups are as follows:

Brian Dubuc (New York, U of G Club) vs. Sam Edwards (St. George, Fusion MMA)
Jermaine Tisl (Prevail MMA) vs. Aaron Camis (St. George, Fusion MMA)
Cody Kesiel (Tem Assault) vs. Matt Arrington (St. George, Fusion MMA)
Cy Nelson (Tenacious) vs. Brandon Hart (St. George, Fusion MMA)
Kevin Tarma (Elite) vs. Ryan Phillips (St. George, Fusion MMA)
Tino Flores (Vernal, Unbroken Circle) vs. Ryan Beech (Vernal, Fusion MMA)
Tico Pringle (Team Assault) vs. Daniel Sensintaffar (Excel MMA)
Boostayre Nefarios (Las Vegas, Sunset MMA) vs. James Martinez (Grand Junction, Crest Combat)
Don Maroney (Team Assault) vs. Kirt Patterson (Moab, Moab Combat)
Mike Crisman (West valley, CCS) vs. Tallon Torres (Cedar City, Fusion MMA)
Chris Kennedy (Independent) vs. Danny Davis, Jr. (Las Vegas, Drysdale Jiu Jitsu)

Event Recap

What:

When: Jan. 26 at 7 p.m.

Where: Dixie Center St. George

Admission: General Admission $25, VIP Admission $40, VIP Tables and other options available – see tickets website (below)

Buy tickets at the door or online here

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @oldschoolag

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.

Matt Arrington, from St. George, at the Weigh-In
Matt Arrington, from St. George, at the Weigh-In for the Crown Fighting Championship, Iggy’s Sports Grill, St. George, Utah, Jan. 25, 2013 | Photo by Sarafina Amodt, St. George News

 

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3 Comments

  • FBM January 26, 2013 at 8:21 am

    “The 7 p.m. event features a slew of local fighters as well as some nationally known MMA stars.”

    Sorry to burst your bubble, but none of these guys are “stars”.

    I would love to go to an event, but they always pick a date where the UFC is holding an event, too.

  • Vincent Mahoney January 27, 2013 at 9:03 am

    Looks like the videographer is a chick judging by the interest in the male torsos @ 1:06.

  • Tom January 27, 2013 at 11:45 pm

    What exactly is the cause? Creating more brain dead morons?

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