Ready For A Fight?

WAITSBURG - Entertainment like Waitsburg has never seen is coming Feb. 4 to the fairgrounds.

Mixed Martial Arts fighting is making its debut and organizer Rob Dodgin hopes to make this a monthly event if the turnout is as good as his two previous fights, which averaged 650 to 700 people.

"The city of Waitsburg was really inviting and open to it," Dodgin said.

The event will take place at the blue community building at the fairgrounds. Tickets are $25 if purchased in advance, and $30 at the door. Doors open at 5 p.m. and fights begin at 6 p.m. The event is only open to those aged 16 and older.

Dodgin said this kind of fighting, conducted with two fighters and a referee in a sixsided ring with a 24-foot cage around it, is becoming more popular with the public. The ring resembles a boxing ring, but instead of ropes, the ring has a cage around it.

"Everyone's really training hard and working on their different style of martial arts," he said.

And for the fighting itself, "pretty much anything goes," he added.

Fighters are classified by weight and fight in the 155 and 185 weight classes. A winner is submission, knockout or decision. A referee can stop a fight at any time, including if he sees a fighter unable to protect his or herself any longer.

Yes, there are even female fighters on this circuit, Dodgin said.

There are only a couple of rules fighting. There are to be no head butts, eye gouging, groin shots, or elbows or knees to the face. But, fighters can certainly kick their opponent in the face, Dodgin said.

"It's an all-out brawl," he said.

And in case things get rowdy in the crowd on Saturday, Dodgin has hired security guards and off-duty, undercover police to keep everyone safe.

Dodgin, age 31, himself participates in these mixed martial arts fights. He has been in 46 fights already and hopes to get on the professional circuit in April.The fighters coming to Waitsburg are amateurs. Meaning if they win one of the two title fights or the championship belt, they can't actually win money.

But, Dodgin treats the fighters well and gives them gas money and donates money to their gym where they train to purchase new equipment.

In Waitsburg on Feb. 4, there will be 42 fighters and 21 fights.

"The fighters include everybody from normal street kids to prison guards," Dodgin said.

Even Waitsburger TJ Hofer, 19, is signed up to fight that evening, and actually he was the one who told Dodgin Waitsburg may be the perfect place to host the fights.

Hofer, who graduated last spring from Waitsburg High School, has already participated in and won two mixed martial arts fights and will compete against Rocky Fisher from Montana.

And Hofer is really serious about this sport. He has been training five days a week at Hammerdown Fitness in Dayton for three to four hours a day.

He says he doesn't worry about getting seriously injured, though his mother likely does.

Hofer said his mom comes to watch him fight and she will accompany other family members and friends who have vowed to show up this Saturday.

In addition to fighting for the fun of it, Hofer said the training is keeping him in great shape for his next assignment - basic training for the Air Force, which he will begin in February or March. He is pursuing a career in air rescue and medical care for the armed forces.

"It's a big motivation to help me stay in shape," Hofer said.

So what is the draw of watching two people brutally fight one another in a caged ring?

Dodgin said most of the fans who come to watch "just like to see people compete like that." Or, the fans like to live vicariously through the fighters.

Dodgin's focus is to get troubled kids who like to fight off the streets and into the ring. He said it's a more positive way to take out their aggression.

"I want to help people who like to do this," he said.

Those who want to attend the fight Saturday night can purchase tickets ahead of time from local fighters, from Dodgin (509-217-6300) or at the door.