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Mixed martial arts card coming to city
11/05/08
BY TREENA MIELKE
Red Deer Express
Jason ‘The Athlete’ MacDonald has won another challenge, this time outside the ring.
The well known top mixed martial arts fighter from Red Deer has been the leading charge to bring a mixed martial arts card to Red Deer.
MacDonald, who has had to travel to compete in all of his own fights, said he is very pleased that the fighting championship is coming to his home town.
“It’s the first such event in Red Deer and it’s very exciting for me to finally see mixed martial arts coming here,” said MacDonald who has worked with Jeff Marchand of The Sports Therapy Centre and Red Deer Oilmen’s Association to bring the event to the city.
The Pure Fighting Championship will be held at the Westerner Grounds Agri-Centre Nov. 21.
The event will feature 11 matches with participating fighters all coming from Central Alberta.
Five of the fighters will come from MacDonald’s own gym, Pure Fitness. Evan Fanguin, a fighter who trains at the gym, will take on Tim Tamaki from Lethbridge in a lightweight fight as part of the main event.
“For many of these fighters, this is their first fight. It will give them an avenue to get experience and move onto bigger shows,” MacDonald said.
He added that it will also be a great opportunity for local mixed martial arts fans to watch local fighters compete against other competitors from Central Alberta.
“We’re finally seeing mixed martial arts come to Red Deer.”
Because Red Deer does not have a boxing commission, organizers had to go outside the city’s boundaries to find a sanctioning body.
“River Cree Commission out of Edmonton will sanction the event,” said MacDonald. “And everything is in place. The medical requirements have been met. The necessary liabilities are in place and everything is done to make it a safe and properly run event.”
A total of 1,000 general admission tickets and 50 ringside dinner tables are being sold for the event.
Partial proceeds are to go to the United Way of Central Alberta.
The doors open at 7 p.m. and the event begins at 7:30.
MacDonald said interest has been good for the event.
“The sport is really big Central Alberta,” he said.
Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster or call Jeff Marchand for ringside dinner tables at 403-506-9355.
tmielke@reddeer.greatwest.ca 403-309-5452
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