/IMG_5860.jpg)
The card has been set for the Freedom Fight: Caged Combat live MMA event, being held Oct. 27 at Sudbury Arena.
Confirmed fighters include UFC veterans, mixed in with a variety of local contenders.
"Fans wanted big UFC names and more local talent," Freedom Fight MMA owner Pete Rodley said in a press release.
He said finding local talent for the first Freedom Fight show in Sudbury, held last September, was difficult "because there simply weren’t many athletes ready to go pro."
"Since the last event I have been contacted by many local fighters, some have been fighting in the states and some at an amateur level but are now ready to go pro," Rodley said. "So we have fighters from Sudbury, Orillia, Sault Ste. Marie and Blind River to mix with athletes from California, Massachusetts, Montreal, etc."
Among those on the card is seven-time UFC veteran Daniel "Ninja" Roberts, who will be going to war with Freedom Fight 2006 Team USA winner Nuri "The Shark" Shakir for the main event.
Roberts was on the popular Ultimate Fighter series produced by the UFC and trains at the famed Cesar Gracie Academy in California, among other top facilities. The Ninja is known for his aggressive style that will match perfectly with the unorthodox action packed style of The Shark. Shakir made short work of his opponent at FF 2006 using a barrage of knees and flying fists and is promising much of the same when he returns to Canada to re-enter the Freedom Fight cage.
Ultimate Fighter 5 winner and top UFC contender Nate Diaz will be available to meet fans at the show.
Other confirmed bouts:
Valerie Letourneau (Montreal) vs. Vanessa Mariscal (Vegas)
Chris St. Jean (Sudbury) vs. Josh Tavereine (Windsor) *
Brent Fryia (Sault Ste. Marie) vs. Syd Barnier (Cambridge)
Josten Tardif (Sudbury) vs. Mike Sledzion (Orillia) *
Pat Gionette (Elliot Lake) vs. Jarod Robb (Toronto)
Mitch Fryia (Sault Ste. Marie) vs. Derek Macdonald (Brantford)
Blake Nash (Windsor) vs. Aaron Basso (London)
Michael Imperato (Toronto) vs. TBA
Craig Hudson (Brantford) vs. TBA
*pending final approval by the OAC
Freedom Fight MMA is also launching its new website this week, with an Ultimate VIP Upgrade contest. Fans can go to www.freedomfightmma.ca for details on how to enter, check out video and photos and get more information on the fights.
Tickets for Freedom Fight: Caged Combat are available at the Sudbury Arena Box Office, online at www.city.greatersudbury.on.ca or www.freedomfightmma.ca or by phoning 705-671-3000.
Posted by Laurel Myers
