The sixth annual AM Ford Fight Night is officially a go.
The popular spring event has attracted thousands to the Cominco Gym over the past five years to see top notch mixed martial arts fighters go toe-to-toe in the ring.
“I’m planning for the April fight, it’s a go for this year, next year it might not be but for this year it’s a go,” says organizer and Pride Gym trainer Glen Kalesniko.
The fights are planned for April 14, with Brad Causey featured on the main card with world number-four ranked women’s MMA fighter Morgan River Jones, as well as Jordan Knippelberg and C. J. Bagg filling out the top four.
There was some uncertainty after last April’s Fight Night and whether the effort was worth the rewards, but now that it’s confirmed, all the work begins anew.
There is so much time and preparation that goes into fixing matches, getting sponsors and putting all the little things into place, that a decision had to be made, added Kalesniko.
“A lot of people wanted it. For me it’s a nightmare but I got to do it . . . Hopefully it will work out, I’ll do one year at a time and hopefully we can make a little bit of money and keep it going.”
The event can cost up to $40,000 and often teeters on break-even or bust, but with the four fighters already committed, the organizer knows it will be a good show.
Causey made a successful return to the ring for Cage Rage 5 at the Element in Castlegar last month. After an 18-month layoff, the Trail fighter defeated American Daniel Swain, to bring his pro record to 9-1.
On the same card, Jones’ victory over Robin Woods brought the Trail resident’s ranking up to fourth in the world in the 135-lb weight class, and hometown favourites, Baggs and Knippelberg, always bring excitement and intensity to the ring.
“It should be a good one and hopefully it will be like the fights at the Element, they were so good.”
Tickets should be available sometime in February.