Bill Fent and Robert Coon battle it out in the main event.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Bay City Hooters Cage Fights Great Fun
Fighters put on gutsy performances and entertaining bouts
August 10, 2013
Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar
While Elton John says Saturday night's alright for fighting, add to that Friday as well. Friday and Saturday night, Hooters hosted Extreme Cage Combat at the Hooters' parking lot.
Cage fighters from Detroit to Traverse City but with a strong local flavor entered the ring to show there metal before a packed house. While several of the early bouts featured first time participants, the action heated up when the sun went down for some real action-packed fights.
This fight lifted his opponent off the ground.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Once he had him on the ground, it was all over but the tap out.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
For those unfamiliar with cage fighting, this is not street brawling. Most of these athletes, if not all, have a strong high school wrestling background and have found a way to continue a sport they love by adding the additional elements of cage fighting. It is a blend of wrestling, boxing and a bit of martial arts that all adds up to a very exciting evening.
Travis Skinner kicks high on his opponent, Anthony Rivera.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Ray Webb was a first time fighter out of Midland . He got into it in large part due to his step-brother's participation, Travis Skinner who also was fighting this night. He also liked the "challenge" that it presented. Following his match that he lost, he said "It was fun. I will do it again but I need to do more training."
Ryan Webb gets taped up for his first fight by his step-brother, Travis Skinner a 15 bout vet.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Ryan Lake was another first timer out of St. Charles . "I was a wrestler in high school and I'm sorry to say got into some street fights," he acknowledged. "Then I started training with some guys from MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and thought I would try this." Lake enters the Navy the first of the year.
While they set up the cages, contestants mingled with the crowd or got taped for everyone to watch. Giani Swires proudly displayed his championship belt that he earned fighting in the Impact Fight League based in Detroit . Fighting in the super heavyweight division, he reflected "I wrestled in high school and got to be a violent person. Now I use it in a legal manner and don't get into trouble anymore. I have found a positive way to curve my aggression."
The house was packed and ready for the matches.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Fans needed little encouragement to cheer on the combatants.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
A good shot to the body sends this fighter to the mat.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Pedro Mancado sends Joy Black reeling into the cage.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Steve Mirelez and Josh Hill put on one of the best matches of the night.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Alex Albaugh takes a knee to the chest by DJ Warren but prevails in the match.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Not all the action in the ring was fighting. Hulk Hogan Impersonator, Jordon Timm, was there to give that big time wrestling flare while promoting his inaugural Running Wild 5 K Run with all the proceeds to benefit Special Olympics. That event is October 5th at Vet's Memorial Park in Bay City . Cost is $20 which includes a t-shirt. Registration is at 9 am with the race beginning at 10 am. You are encouraged to dress as your favorite wrestler but this is not required.
Hulk Hogan impersonator, Jordan Timm, gives us the look.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Hulk Hogan does his jawing with ring announcer Steve Coppler.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
The Hulk stirs the crowd up with help from a Hooters girl.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Also present were the Hooter's girls . . . as they announced each round as well as entertained between bouts with dancing, sometimes encouraging audience participation.
The Hooters girls help us keep track of the rounds.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
But the real fun and attraction was the fighters. As the night went on, the matches featured more seasoned fighters which got to be quite exciting. These matches mixed real physical blows with tough gutsy wrestling exertion. A couple matches went the distance with the participants lying spent on the canvas and the fans feeling the exhaustion. Loud encouragement came from the audience with the more animated cheering coming from the ladies.
Giani Swires delivers a blow to Mike Dosal.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Travis McClennon and Jajon Fann exchange blows.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Travis McClennon delivers an early shot.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Bill Fent and Robert Coon really put on a show.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Many blows were exchanged between these training partners.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
Katie says she comes to these fights to "watch people beat each other up" but had to confess she "follows other fighters, too." Her sister Emily had "never been" but also knew some fighters and MG just liked the "beer, men and fun."
Fun is clearly what everyone had this night as they cheered their favorite fighters.
The Hulk helps out with the National Anthem.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
John Keuvelaar
|
|
John Keuvelaar is a college student at Midwest Photography Workshops and Delta College.
More from John Keuvelaar
|
Send This Story to a Friend!
Letter to the editor
Link to this Story
Printer-Friendly Story View
--- Advertisments ---
![]()
![]()
![]()
