A number of local fighters are ready to showcase their talents during the first live local MMA event in more than three years.
Five athletes from Steel City MMA will take part in the Big Johns MMA: Every Victory Earned event at Kewadin Casino on Sept. 24, including amateur welterweight title contender Raiden Oliver.
The other local fighters are Justin Sauerzopf, Brock Pinder, Bowen Oliver, and Julia Dubas.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at Steel City MMA located at 126 Queen Street East.
Full text of a news release from Steel City MMA regarding this event follows:
Despite the fact that there are bigger names and more experienced MMA fighters on the event, promoter John Yeubanks thinks local Canadian fighters might steal the show at his Big Johns MMA: Every Victory Earned event at Kewadin Casino on Sept. 24.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the new athletes from Canada, especially out of Steel City MMA. They always show up, put on a great show for the fans, and you can tell they’re up there putting in real work,” says Yeubanks of the Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. team.
Steel City MMA will have five athletes in action on the event, including Raiden Oliver who will be fighting for the amateur welterweight title.
“Raiden is super exciting to watch, with TNT in his hands. His opponent, Patrick Antonides is his toughest challenge to date and I think it’s going to be a hell of a fight,” says Yeubanks.
Oliver comes into the event with a record of 3-0 with all three wins by way of TKO or KO in less than one minute. His opponent, Antonides comes from Ludus MMA in Petosky, Mich. and sports a record of 3-0.
The Sept. 24 fight card marks the first local MMA event in over three years, with the last event prior to the pandemic taking place in May of 2019.
“We can’t wait to fight at home again,” says Steel City MMA owner and head coach Brent Fryia. “Our fighters, training partners and coaches have been putting lots of time and we’re looking forward to showing that work in front of a local crowd.”
The other fighters representing Steel City MMA are Justin Sauerzopf (1-0), Brock Pinder (1-0), Bowen Oliver (0-1) and Julia Dubas (0-0). One other Canadian fighter, David Firlotte who competes independently, will also be competing on the event.
Big Johns MMA: Every Victory Earned is scheduled to feature an undercard of 10 amateur bouts, and a main card of four professional fights.
The professional main event will feature Midwest MMA staple Marcus Maulding vs Caleb “True Grit” Grummet. Maulding has over 60 fights between his amateur and pro career, including having shared the cage with UFC veterans.
Grummet has also faced several UFC vets in his pro career, and is making his return to the cage after a long layoff, but this time his motivation is different.
Grummet will be donating his entire purse to Trae Hawthorne, a young man who is fighting bone cancer.
“Trae has had a tough time the last few years. His mother passed away four years ago and now he’s fighting cancer,” says Yeubanks. “Caleb is a great guy, fighting for a great cause.”
The money donated by Grummet will help Hawthorne travel back and forth to his medical appointments.
Tickets for Big Johns MMA: Every Victory Earned are available at Steel City MMA.