Monday, April 6, 2009

“Extreme Beatdown” At Apache Gold Casino

Two Sovereign Nations Mixed Martial Arts (SNMMA) titles are on the line Saturday night, April 11th, in “Extreme Beatdown” at Apache Gold Casino, located five miles east of Globe in San Carlos.SNMMA links federally recognized tribes throughout the United States and Canada. SNMMA’s mission is to develop, promote and help regulate mixed-martial-arts in a fair and professional manner by federally recognized tribes that are sovereign nations.Sponsors include MTX Audio, Respek MMA Fight Gear, Catch 22 Sports Gril, and Hacienda Harley. Highlights of “Extreme Beatdown” will be taped and later shown on HD Net’s Inside MMA Show.Arizona favorite Yaotzin Meza (11-4-0), fighting out of Phoenix and representing Southwest MMA, battles former Arizona wrestler Jamie “The Headhunter” Schmidt (7-2-0), of Denver, in the main event (5 five-minute rounds) for the first SNMMA featherweight title.In the first SNMMA super heavyweight match (266-pounds or more), local hero Chance “King of the Street” Williams (6-2-0) fights in front of his Globe (AZ) hometown fans against Las Vegas invader Brice Ritani-Coe (2-0-0) in the co-feature (5-five minute rounds).“We are looking forward to bringing a new brand of MMA to the Phoenix area and Apache Gold Casino,” Extreme Beatdown promoter Jon Hegre said. “We feel fighters should be paid what they are worth and fans deserve good fights. The SNMMA sanctioning body is bringing a nationwide spotlight with these two title fights and we are proud to be associated with them.”In a special female 112-pound catch-weight attraction, Phoenix’ hybrid MMA/boxing star Elena “Baby Doll” Reid (2-0-0), who is a 2-time world boxing champion with a 19-5-6 (5 KOs) pro record, faces Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson (7-2-0), from Albuquerque.The first SNMMA champion, heavyweight Chris Tuchscherer (16-1-0), a former 2-time NCAA, Division II All-America wrestler from Fargo (ND), will be in action in a non-title match against an opponent to be determined. There is a rumor that a friend of Chris' might be at the event as a special guest.Also on the undercard is Phoenix bantamweight Jesse “Arturo” Moreng (8-1-0) vs. Brandon Miller (3-3-0), of Fresno (CA); Phoenix light heavyweight Jesse “Kid Hercules” Forbes (8-3-0) vs. Shane De Zee, of Minneapolis; Phoenix middleweight Ray “C4” Steinbeiss (11-5-0) vs. Chris Hugh (6-2-0), of Bismarck (ND); Phoenix lightweights Chris Gruetzemacher (0-2-0) vs. Josh Gaskins (4-1-0); Phoenix middleweight Jeremy Larsen (3-1-0) vs. Jeff Horlatcher (6-16-0), of Globe (AZ); York (ND) heavyweight Seth Harrison (2-1-0) vs. TBA.All fights and fighters are subject to change. All fights excluding the two SNMMA title matches are 3 five-minute rounds.Tickets, priced at $20 (bleachers), $30 (floor) and $50 (ringside), are available at the Apache Gold Gift Ship (1-800-272-2438) or at TicketWeb.com (21 years of age or older requirement to attend). Go to ApacheGoldCasinoResort.com or snbcmma.com for additional information. Doors open at 6 pm, first bout at 7 pm.