Promoters want Cage Fighting at W.L. White Auditorium
By Bobbi Mlynar (Contact)
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Cage fighting is coming to Emporia, if promoters and the city can agree on contract terms, alcohol availability and a date to use W.L. White Auditorium.
“It’s going to take a little time,” said Joe Kelly, president of Titan Entertainment of Liberty, Mo. “It’s a new event. It’s never been to Emporia before.”
Kelly and Stephen Cole of Cole’s Restaurant will co-sponsor the event, which features a mix of what Kelly terms “Olympic-style sports more blended together.” They hope to be able to present the event in late October.
Kelly said that cage fighting is the fastest-growing sport in the world.
“It’s a blend of all the different martial arts and combative art disciplines,” Kelly said. “All these athletes are cross-trained in boxing, muay thai, jujitsu, wrestling. ...
“It’s the most, I would say, complete form of fighting that you can find because it allows all of the disciplines to blend together.”
The combatants fight within a cage, with oversight by a state official and a medical doctor. The event would be sanctioned by the state of Kansas, Cole said.
The fighters are professionals and amateurs who will be brought in by Titan Entertainment from throughout the Midwest.
“We definitely don’t want someone coming in off the street trying to fulfill their dream of become a cage fighter with no training,” Kelly said.
Kelly and Cole met with city officials Aug. 18 to discuss requirements for the venue and to try to find an open date at the auditorium during late October. The latter has presented a problem for auditorium manager Ed Rathke.
“Our event schedule is not really conducive to it in October because of all the volleyball,” Rathke said.
Emporia State University volleyball team has games at White during October, and the Lyon County League Tournament also is scheduled during that time.
“A lot of times I can’t give it to them because this is ESU’s home court,” Rathke said, “and I’ve got to make sure that they’re protected first.”
Other happenings also will keep the staff and the auditorium occupied: The new scoreboard is set to arrive and be installed the first part of October, William Allen White Book Awards activities will be held there, and the Lipizzaner Stallions show also has been squeezed into the calendar on Oct. 18.
Rathke said, though, it appears the sponsors have experience in promoting cage fighting types of events, and will be able to meet contract requirements set down by the city.
“I’ll be happy to host it if they follow all the laws and the rules, and I really believe they will,” Rathke said.
“We’ve agreed to have as many cops as needed to control everything that we pay for,” Cole added.
Floor seating will be available, Kelly said, estimating potential attendance between 3,500 and 4,000 people.
The promoters want to have alcohol available for the audience, however, and that has been a sticking point in the talks.
“We just have some roadblocks we have to get over,” Kelly said. “Once we get over those, then we’ll have the event.”
Kelly said that in a live entertainment environment, such as sporting and professional events, people often want to drink alcoholic beverages.
“So yes, that is a part of it and it’s something we’d like to get ironed out so that people can enjoy themselves at the event,” Kelly said. “You definitely don’t want to have an event and exclude something they want to partake in.”
City policy, however, could prevent that from happening.
“We can’t do that,” Rathke said. “We have to abide by the rules that are set down by the city commission. Basically, we can’t sell it for any event.”
Comments
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Posted by madpoet (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You have to be kidding me! That sure sounds classy. Just what we need in Emporia; people paying to watch other people beat and kick the crap out of one another in a big cage. What's next? Dog or cock fighting? And they sure need alcohol to enhance the atmosphere. I bet NO problems will occur when a bunch of hyped up, possibly drunk people hit the streets when it gets over. I hope this goes down in flames.
Also, I thought the stallions were on Sept. 18th. That is what the ad in the paper said, I thought. I wanted to go until I learned it would be $65.50 for me, my husband, and toddler to go. Too rich for my blood.
Posted by Happiness08 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with madpoet completely. It's illegal to put dogs in a cage to fight, so lets put people in there. Not my kind of entertainment.
Posted by hickory (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They have big dreams.......3500 to 4000 people in attendance.......that's a joke.......when's the last time emporia has drawn that kind of crowd, other than the lady hornets and washburn game that was televised. I think they better revise the attendance to 350 to 400 people.
Posted by create (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A city that won't allow dogs to be carried in the back of pick up trucks can consider allowing people to fight in cages for sport? Now that makes a lot of sense.
Posted by flexj66801 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 5:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As I was reading this I was thinking to myself that the "good citizens" of Emporia would be up in arms about something like this event coming to town. There are so many people in this town that would enjoy having events like these & then there are the opinionated few that will cry out that our town is to good for something like that.
The MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) events ARE the fastest growing & crowd drawing events in the nation right now thanks to the UFC going to "mainstream" television (Spike Tv). Boxing events have even taken a back seat in ticket sales & tv viewers to MMA events. Topeka & KC both hold an event almost monthly. We should feel honored that someone would even think to bring some kind of entertainment to this little town. You CANNOT compare this sport to dog fighting or cock fighting, Doing so only shows ignorance on your part. It has been proven safer than boxing, which has been promoted in every corner of this nation (I have a family member who is a WBC Champion). I see an A LOT of "Tapout" shirts being worn around here these days. If you don't know, that is a major brand of clothing associated with MMA sports. It seems to me that an event like this would draw in a lot of fans & generate some funds for the auditorium as well. Cities that prosper from entertainment know that you have to provide a range of venues to attract different people. Something you may like your neighbor may not & vise versa. I'm not going to prejudge you or any event that I have no knowledge of just because I feel it is something I personally would not like. I'd rather choose not to attend & let those who enjoy it have their entertainment.
Posted by rdgrey (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This would bring something to this town for the younger crowd for a change. Like flex said it is a professional sport that is growing and not a caged animal fighting for its life only to be destroyed at the end like some want to make it. You know at least it is something diffrent instead of anouther pizza joint or a hardware store. Keep an open mind and lets try something NEW for a change.
Posted by LifeGoesOn (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I say YES YES YES, bring them on! As another poster has said
"You CANNOT compare this sport to dog fighting or cock fighting, Doing so only shows ignorance on your part"
Posted by emporian (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 5:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd buy tickets. I love MMA.
Posted by rdgrey (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just to add some other points, a community is made up of many people with many intrests and should not just cater to the few. No I wont go but I am sure many6 will. Along with the event will come the teams who will rent hotel rooms and eat at our many pizza places. That spells INCOME to the community and will bring crowds from the surrounding area also. Lets try to expand our entertainment to include others who are not interested in music or theater. We can make this a positive for a town hurting for something diffrent.
Posted by MrCmonkeeDo (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Totally RAD.
Posted by USNretired (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Too bad they have to deal with the WL White on something like this. When I was a kid here, my dad took us to watch All Star Wrestling at the auditorium and getting in and out was a pain in the @ss. Parking and traffic is another issue. If this is a money-maker, maybe something just outside of town with good access and plenty of parking, plus get away from Emporia's blue laws.
Posted by flexj66801 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its good to see that there are several others that are positive about this. I thought for sure I would be the only one posting. This IS a step forward in helping our dwindling economy. I agree, Its sad that the promoter has to deal with all the problems associated with the White Auditorium. But realistically there will probably never be another arena to hold events. I for one am thrilled there will be something other than an ESU game or musical production. It will nice not to have to drive somewhere or watch something on Tv because it makes me feel like I am disconnected from the rest of the world because I live in Emporia.
Posted by mmstormont (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think this is a great idea. If you aren't into professional fighting, then don't go. But it would be so nice to actually have something different to go do in this town. It's nice to see local business owners taking an initiative to bring something new here and bring in more revenue for the community and this sounds very profitable for our community. I hope this happens!
Posted by rdgrey (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 7:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ALL STAR WRESTLING...Now that takes me back to my childhood. Man those were the days.
Posted by Givemetoro (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 8:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So... they allow consumption of alcoholic beverages at the events during the Lyon County Fair, but are saying no to an event at White Auditorium?
Would the be because of a city law or just auditorium rules?
Posted by eatasheep69 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can't we all just get along? Why does someone always have to be fighting?
I have an idea. Let's have the cage fighting in a cage in the back of a truck...I'll drive. Better yet, let's include dozens of like equipped trucks and combine that with the demolition derby.
Now that would be fun to watch.
Posted by Pingeon (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The comments after this story remind me much of the ones I read after the story about Lowes coming to town. You have people that are all for it and those that hate it. I think the difference in this case is that the sport we are speaking of is pretty controversial. There are those that don’t really see the “sport” about it, just two guys beating the you know what out of each other. I would propose a different way to look at this. The sport is legal and regulated. What this means is that it is going to take place somewhere if not in Emporia. Therefore, why don’t we allow them to come in, spend their money promoting it, let them pay to rent the Auditorium, let our hospitality folks earn some money off of their meals and hotel stays and schedule the event again if it a success to earn some more money? If promoters see this going over well, other types of events may follow it and maybe the next one will be something that you do like and would want to go to. However if the fastest growing sport cannot pack the house, promoters may not be as likely to bring concerts and other types of venues to town. Maybe this would be a good test…….
Posted by scole (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to start by thanking all of you who have responded to this story, both good and bad. What makes us great as a society are our differing views. When my family decided to try and bring this level of entertainment to Emporia we discussed it with several people around town. Almost everyone we talked to said this: "Those types of events just don't come to Emporia". I am tired of hearing that this is a suitcase college town. Titan Entertainment is a great production company that produces fights for ESPN. The opportunity to have them here is a great chance. Joe and I have discussed several events a year here in town if we can make this work. I want bigger venues to go to as a resident. I want to make this a place where younger Emporians will want to stay. I want to have options other than an hour road trip to some other town. "Shop Emporia first" we all hear it on the radio and in publications around town. Let’s find those events that make us want to stay here and BUY! Just because something is different does not necessarily mean that it is not good.
Posted by alfalfa (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I want nude centerfold wrestling, I think it has much more class, and is more socially acceptable. I am willing to compromise and let them be put in a cage. What is it they like to say about Emporia, was it the "Athens of the Plains"??
Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 11:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Cage (Ultimate) fighting is brutal and violent. It is also fascinating and oh, so fun to watch! These men are highly trained professionals in the martial arts, wrestling, boxing, and other self-defense disciplines. They know how to protect themselves and, in situations when they can't, the referees and ring officials are quick to step in. I find myself watching the matches on television quite often. I would welcome this type of sports entertainment in Emporia. If it offends you, don't buy a ticket. Such events would be good for our city and for local merchants.
Oh! And comparisons of this sport with cock fighting or dog fighting are ludicrous. No one forces these athletes to compete against their will or tapes razors to their feet. They don't fight to the death. In fact, few are injured beyond cuts, scrapes, and bruises: tools of the trade. I, in my much younger years, was a football player and a bar bouncer. Both activities are far more dangerous than cage fighting, and I survived both.
Posted by zeus (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 1:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Michael Vick called and wants in on the action..but I told him it was humans fighting.
But seriously this sounds like a great idea that could generate some revenue for the city if promoted right and certain restrictions were applied.
Posted by bjohn (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People will come from Topeka and Wichita to see this stuff. I think that would help our new sales tax pull in more money that is not from the local's pockets.
Posted by mythoughts (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 11:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nude MALE centerfold wrestling. yeah, Greek style! No blood that way.
Posted by dj2879 (anonymous) on August 29, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
According to all sources I've seen and heard the Stallions are here on Sept 18th not Oct 18th.
Otherwise, a lot of money was spent on posters with the wrong date!
Posted by awesome_sauce (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
an event, held off campus, in Emporia which appealed to a demographic not consisting of retired folks or children....would be highly unusual.
Posted by wirewatt (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don;'t understand the problem with having alcoholic beverages when the City allows ESU to serve alcohol during its basketball games?
Posted by dhcc66 (anonymous) on August 30, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i think that combining mma and alcohol is a bad idea. i'm sure the promoter doesn't care what happens because he's not liable for the audience and good luck controlling the minor's consuming the alcohol. if they want to do the event, provide their own security (cops would probably cost what...20, 25 dollars an hour and private security 15 or so??) and not break out the booze, then i say go for it.
I did take a little time to research this as well. the promoters have a website at http://tfc.tv/titan/index.html . when i looked through it, their biggest brag seemed to be about female adult film stars promoting the "women of titan fighting" or something like that and about their hip hop music that they play along with the show.....i guess if you like that stuff then have fun if the city allows it.
as for the alcohol at esu games, i don't think that i've seen beer or liquor in the auditorium at any of the games because i'm sure I would have noticed and grabbed a cup myself. :)
Posted by wneighbor (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 3:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not think cage fighting should be allowed in Emporia, in Kansas, in the USA, in North America, in the World or on the planet.
Posted by Weltha (anonymous) on September 1, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its nothing I care to watch but alot of people I know enjoy it or similar sports. You can't compare it to dog or cock fighting. The dogs and birds don't have a choice these men do. I say if they wanna beat the tar out of eachother for money so be it.
Posted by agoge (anonymous) on October 21, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sorry for all that oppose MMA. It is a great sport emerging as the next best thing. As a fight promoter I take offense to anyone saying that we do not care about the patrons. It is called insurance you idiot. We have to first get approval through the Kansas Athletic Commission and then we also have to provide insurance for the fighters, the patrons, then the venue. After that we have to provide a $10,000 surety bond. If that is not enough then we have to provide travel arrangements for LICENSED officials.
So do me a favor and get an education in something other than basket weaving.
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