June 21, 2007

Cage rage: Amateur mixed martial arts quickly becoming a knockout in Michigan

Eric Lacy / The Detroit News

MIDLAND -- Choke holds are acceptable, but absolutely no fish hooking, small joint manipulation, biting, hair pulling or lubricants to the face.

Oh, and: "I'll be assessing your levels of consciousness," referee Mike Grable tells his rapt audience. "Everyone knows what's going to happen when the door shuts, right?"

Welcome to the world of mixed martial arts fighting, an almost no-holds-barred combination of punching, kicking and wrestling -- with a dose of back-alley brawling -- conducted inside an octagon cage.

It's a sport that has connected with a young audience and become a staple of cable television.

Al Low, chairman of the Michigan Boxing Commission, estimated more than $223 million was generated through pay-per-view programming of various mixed martial arts events.

Professional mixed martial arts fights are banned in Michigan, but amateur events, such as the Midland show, recent programs at Mt. Pleasant and Birch Run, and another scheduled for Friday at The Palace of Auburn Hills are becoming common.

So, on this June night, Grable, biceps bulging beneath a striped shirt, was giving a brief orientation to the collection of amateurs who registered to compete in the Champion Cage Fighters event at Midland fairgrounds.

'Let's get it on'

As the sounds of rock and hip-hop music blasted from a DJ booth, fighters jumped, shadow boxed and snapped off kicks.

"Yeah, let's get it on," yelled one tattooed, shaved-head contestant.

Anthony Emmi, 27, of Escanaba, said he was looking for confidence -- and perhaps some exposure -- from the Midland competition. Emmi, who was born in Royal Oak, aspires to fight professionally.

"You're trying to challenge yourself and see what you can do," Emmi said. "You not only have to worry about yourself, but what your opponent could do against you."

Appearance isn't always reality once the door slams in the metal fencing. Muscles don't necessarily determine success; flab isn't always a sign of weakness.

Most of the 17 matches didn't go beyond the first round and ended on choke holds. Emmi defeated opponent "Nonstop" Nick Schalek in about 30 seconds.

Event organizers estimated about 2,500 spectators attended in Midland.

"It's not considered a bad thing anymore," said Neil Helmkay of Champion Cage Fighters. "It's a youthful sport, one that's really exciting."

Jessica LeCourse, 21, from nearby Auburn, was in the Midland crowd.

"This is the coolest thing I've ever seen," LeCourse said. "Midland has never seen anything like this.

"I'm not a tom boy, I'm a tom girl -- I like to get pretty, but I like to get dirty. This is right up my alley."

Mike "The Big Unit" Hecht, 20, a 330-pounder from Vassar, concedes injury risks are a concern but also add to the excitement.

To succeed, Hecht said, you have to embrace danger.

"I can't explain the feeling in the ring. It's a mix of emotions," said Hecht, a semi-pro football player and power lifter who also trains in martial arts.

"But I can tell you that once you're in there and look into your opponent's eyes, you know right then and there whether it's going to be a good fight or not."

Danger is real

Clearly, the potential for mayhem and injury is part of the rush for competitors and fans alike.

At Midland, one fighter appeared to suffer an elbow injury after a takedown. Another's face was raked open after being knocked into the fence.

Still, Helmkay said, "We never want to take any chances."

Helmkay said the promoters provide sufficient medical care. Among those on duty in Midland was Dr. Jules Reinhardt, 74, of Lapeer.

Involved in boxing for more than 40 years, Reinhardt, who maintains a private practice, is new to mixed martial arts. He said he's open to the concept but prefers boxing.

"The danger is definitely there," Reinhardt said. "It seems to be very popular, but I don't see the kind of athleticism in the amateur ranks like you do in boxing. There just seems to be a lot more talent with the real thing.

"People do like blood and guts, though."

Too much of it, though, could be the death knell for the sport, Reinhardt said.

"Since the state is looking into regulating this more, one bad incident could kill everything," Reinhardt said. "That would definitely get the attention of all these politicians who haven't been following this."

Rep. Barbara Farrah, D-Southgate, wants professional fighting legalized and is sponsoring a bill that she said could generate entertainment revenue in the state.

"It's exciting, it's growing in popularity, and I can't tell you how many e-mails I get supporting it," Farrah said. "Every time I look at my inbox, I say to myself, 'Whoa, I had no idea how many people are fans of this.' "

You can reach Eric Lacy at elacy@detnews.com.

At a glance
What: Hand-to-hand combat sport conducted inside octagon (eight -sided) cage
Rules: Fighters employ Jujitsu techniques, including striking or kicking to the head while standing, striking to the body and legs while standing, knees to the head, body and legs, striking on the ground, foot stomping while standing, and submission including arm bars, leg locks and choke holds. Illegal techniques consist of head butting, groin strikes, strikes to the neck, spine or back of head, knees to the back of the head, hair pulling, eye gouging, biting, grabbing the fence or poles, the use of liniments or any other foreign substances, fish hooking, small joint manipulation, knees to the head on the ground and foot stomping opponent when opponent is on the ground.
Ways to win: Judges' decision, stoppage by the referee or the fight doctor, submission by competitor or corner man, or knockout
Governing bodies: The Ultimate Fighting Championship and International Fight League are the largest pro organizations. Pro bouts are banned in Michigan, but amateur events are allowed.
See for yourself: Champion Cage Fighters amateur program at 8 p.m. Friday at The Palace. The event originally was scheduled for May 26. All tickets for that show are valid. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., followed by the first fight at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $20 to $75. To order, call (248) 645-6666 or visit palacenet.com.