SEAN ROONEY
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More fights, more local content and title belts are on the card for the next mixed martial arts event in Medicine Hat.
All the promoter wants now is a bigger crowd.
Calgary-based Hard Knocks Fighting will bring its 20th major show to the Cypress Centre Friday, Feb. 24 and is counting on a better turnout than its November show here.
"I'd like to sell double the number of tables and about 10 times the number of tickets," said Hard Knocks president Ari Taub. "I'd like the community to embrace what we're doing."
Certainly, Medicine Hat embraced the first MMA show here last May, packing people in for a meagre eight-fight card. But attendance at the following show was way down. While it was a Thursday night, there were 11 fights and a trio of Hat combatants, so it's not as though the product on the mat was any less impressive.
For Hard Knocks 20, Taub currently has 17 fights on the bill, including eight local men out of the Underground Training Centre.
"There's a couple U.S. people coming in, some title fights and there's a bunch more Medicine Hat guys as well," said Taub, a lawyer and former Olympic wrestler. "Every time we do a show there's more fighters in Medicine Hat."
The chance of there being 17 fights come Feb. 24 is unlikely, as injuries and other factors constantly affect the lineup of any card. But there are more than a few interesting storylines for the local contingent.
Mike Goehr, a heavy hitter who's fought at both previous hometown cards, will get a title shot in the 185 pound division. He'll match up with La Ronge, Sask. fighter Barrett Thompson.
Fotis Lambiris, a one-time university wrestler, will get his first home crowd after going 2-0 in the cage thus far.
Rylee Jaasund, who was impressive in a win at Hard Knocks 17 and is 3-0, will be back as well.
"What we're going to see is that the local guys, they actually get better," said Taub. "Every time we have an event they will get better, and noticeably better. People who have come to the first two events will see improved fighting.
"It's cool to see how fast they're getting better."
For the full lineup and how to get tickets or VIP tables, visit hardknocksfighting.com.