A mixed martial arts fight night is slated for Spectra Place, with organizers touting the evening as the entertainment event of 2011.
Hard Knocks Fighting, the Calgary promotions organization now branching out to Western Canada in general, is the group bringing the amateur fights to Estevan Oct. 22. CEO Ari Taub said MMA is something that seems like a good fit in Estevan.
"Estevan's a cool place for MMA," said Taub, who competed for Canada at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Greco-Roman wrestling. "With the oil sector, there are lots of people who (follow it here)."
"It's like a Vegas show," said Cord Crowthers, marketing director for Hard Knocks in Saskatchewan. "(First time spectators) say, 'I had no idea it was that much fun.' It's four hours of great entertainment."
Hard Knocks spares no expense bringing in their own lighting, big screens, smoke and music.
"It's a big event. It's not in the back of a bar room anymore. The same thing that you see on a UFC show for the production is what you're going to see here."
As for the quality of the fighting, from a professional bout to the amateur fights that will be featured here, Crowthers said often amateur fights are more exciting.
"I think the amateur fighters are better because they are still fighting to get to pro. Once you're pro, they fight not to lose sometimes instead of fight to win. These guys want to win."
"I think the entertainment value (from the fights) will be really high quality," said Taub. "The level of fighting is amateur but, but what we're seeing is the top amateurs are better than the pros used to be."
No professional bouts will be on the card as they are not yet sanctioned in Saskatchewan, but it's one of the last provinces in Canada not to allow the sport to organize professional events. In Alberta, the province allows each municipality to determine whether they wish to allow professional bouts, whereas in Saskatchewan the decision is currently province-wide.
Though all matchups are subject to change, if injuries while training disrupt the card, the main event is expected to be a heavyweight bout between local MMA rookie Wade Baldwin, who trains at Southeast Combat Sports, and James Murray from Ontario.
On the decision to bring fights to Estevan, Crowthers said there are a number of factors that make this city a great place for them to go.
"First of all, the new Spectra Place is amazing. It's a beautiful venue. The demographics in Estevan are fantastic. You've got your younger people, you've got your older people, you've got your oil people. You've got access to the (United) States, where some of our fighters come from."
He said, since there isn't really anything like this in Estevan right now, they think people will be attracted to it.
"We haven't even made an official announcement about Estevan anywhere. I have to tell you the ticket sales are the fastest I've ever seen in any city for this. We've already sold VIP tables, 40 per cent. People are finding out about it through the networks, and just going out of control here."
"We're excited to be in Estevan and Saskatchewan," added Taub. "It's cool to see the excitement here."
When they decided to look into Saskatchewan markets, they turned to Estevan, Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert to be their targets.
"They can sustain a show, give back to the community, get some kids involved and do everything that we want to do," Crowthers said.
Hard Knocks is also very tuned in to growing the sport at the amateur level, and giving fighters the opportunity to compete in amateur events to gain experience and develop.
"We want to drive the local grassroots movement and see the sport develop at the local level," said Taub. He said while nothing is set in stone, Hard Knocks is working on scheduling four events in both Estevan and Regina for 2012.
Seating at Spectra place will include the regular floor plan, as well as 60 tables that will be installed on the floor. A floor will be set over the ice surface, so the venue will be able to fit more than 3,000 spectators.
Crowthers noted their shows are open to all ages, but in most cases the ticket price is listed for all ages. Because of the larger venue here, and more seats, they will be selling youth tickets for ages 13 and under.
"What we're going to talk about to all the businesses is buying packs of tickets. Buy 10 kids tickets and give them away. Buy 20 and give them to the school, and get the families out as a family, because these are fun events. Kids love it. It's the biggest, fastest sport."
Getting youth interested in sports is part of what they do.
"Hey, if you like the show, get your parents to sign you up at the jiu-jitsu club or at the tae kwon do club, and get into sport. It doesn't matter what sport, just get into sport."
The fights will be broadcast on the Fight Network and the GoFightLive website, where it will stream live. Keep posted to the website www.hardknocksfighting.com for ticket information.
