(NewsUSA) - With its popularity continuing to rise on channels like Spike TV and Pay-Per-View, the fierce sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is taking another step toward gathering new fans by flying off the small screen and into cages across the country.
One promoter and producer of international combat sports events,
SUN Sports & Entertainment (SSPE), recently developed what it
calls its marquee fight division UNDERGROUND Cage Fighting. While
thinking of ways to generate revenue between high-profile fights,
SUN made the move this past July to bring MMA to fans in a live
and affordable setting.
"Our UNDERGROUND brand is completely different than our
'Art of War' series, which is created for large arenas and
worldwide audiences," said J. Buckeye Epstein, president of SUN.
"We feel there is a huge market opportunity in the small,
1,000-1,500-seat venues that will let us bring a professional
show to those facilities."
Designed for casinos, arenas and regional markets interested in
showcasing the sport, the UNDERGROUND program caters to a more
intimate audience than "Art of War" but still features MMA's
various fighting techniques, which include striking with hands
and feet, grappling and hand-to-hand combat. All competition
takes place within a 24-foot-tall steel cage.
The Underground Cage Fighting program is comparable to other
sports' minor leaguesgiving unknown fighters a shot at
competing on a nationally televised level, against big-name
"Art of War" athletes like Jeff "The Snowman" Monsoon and
Pedro "The Rock" Rizzo.
"This program will allow a new generation of young fighters
to build a track record and get exposure before they are
considered to be associated with the Men's National
MMA team," Epstein said.
The company unveiled its first multi-city tour during a series of
events in Texas and eventually hopes to produce up to one event
per week on a national basis in the near future.
For an up-to-date listing of underground cage fighting matches,
visit SUN Sports Cage fighting web site at www.undergroundcagefighting.com
