An event unlike any other will take place in Weyburn tomorrow night, but it will also be taking place on the world stage. Cord Crowthers of Prestige Fight Club said that the 17-fight card will be broadcast via pay-per-view live stream at gfl.tv.
Since mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combination of all the combative sports, safety of the fighters is first priority for Prestige.
"We're trying to do things a little differently," said Crowthers, who has been involved with the sport for 12 years, along with his partner Derek Daku, who is a fighter. "We only work with the best camps from around the world."
He noted that since Saskatchewan is currently the only province without a professional MMA commission, the amateur ranks fall under a city or town's jurisdiction - which can pose a number of safety risks. Crowthers said that Prestige works closely with the Calgary commission, which he feels is the strictest in Canada.
Each fighter has to pass a 'Fit to Fight' medical examination, which includes blood work that screens for Hepatitis (A, B, and C) and HIV, as well as eye exams and an ECG.
"The first mandate of our company is the safety of the fighters," he said. "That goes hand in hand with medicals and with a good referee who knows when to stop a fight properly."
Crowthers said that Prestige has brought on one of the best referees in Canada, Elvis Lyon from Lethbridge.
"The fights are only a small part of the night," said Crowthers. "We transform the arena into a full 'Vegas' show - lights, lazers, smoke, giant screens, entertainment, food and drink. It's like going out to a fun show."
There is even a championship belt. In fact, the only difference between amateur and professional MMA is that the pros can use elbows and they can give a knee to the head.
"The average layman fan can't tell the difference between amateur and pro," he said.
Crowthers said amateur fighters are more entertaining because while the pros have something to lose, the amateur fighters 'put it all on the line'.
"We try to build the card from the greener guys to the more advanced guys, with each fight," said Crowthers.
Canadian fighter Michelle Massicotte, a two-time world Kick boxing champion, will make her MMA debut in one of two ladies' fights.
"Our crowd is 50/50 - fifty per cent ladies, fifty per cent men," he said. "People are surprised when I say that, but ladies love coming out to the show."
He encourages ladies to attend, even if they don't know much about the sport.
The doors open at 5:00 p.m. The first fights begin at 6:00 p.m.
"You'll see some exciting knockouts, finishes and submissions," said Crowthers, "and it's good for the city."
'The Rising' will generate about half million dollars worth of economic value to the city, including hotels, alcohol, shopping and food. About $40,000 will also be put back into local youth sports.
A weigh-in event will take place tonight at Olympia Fitness at 5:30 p.m., followed by a meet and greet with the MMA celebrities at the KG.
Tickets are still available at the Red Wing office, Olympia Fitness and the KG.
