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Monday, October 1, 2007
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CFX VI brings out fighters' passions COMMENTARY By BRYCE CLOUTIER Sports Writer There is an eerie calm in the instant before the bell rings when time seems to hang precariously on the cusp of the hourglass, the raucous crowd falls silent and the palpable atmosphere of adrenaline, aggression, preparation and excitement envelop fighter and spectator alike.
As quickly as it begins, the moment is swept away by a surge of emotion. The bell rings, the fighters tap gloves and the match begins.
I had never attended or watched more than a moment's worth of mixed martial arts fighting when I was asked to cover Brock Larson's CFX VI Saturday at the Brainerd Area Civic Center.
This event is a fundraiser for professional fighter and Brainerd native Brock Larson which helps fund the costs of training that are associated with his career.
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Brainerd's Kyle Jensen landed a crushing blow to Jesse Evans during their main title bout in Caged Fighting Extreme VI Saturday at the Brainerd Area Civic Center. Jensen won by a tap out in the first round at 3:10.
Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
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In talking to him it becomes obvious that this event and the support of the fans that attend are a crucial aspect of his ability to rise in the ranks of mixed martial arts fighting.
Each fighter, in addition to honed wrestling skills, are trained in a form of martial arts, which serves as a compliment to the mat skills involved with wrestling. Each fighter persevered through fatigue and pain to prove to themselves and to the spectators that the hard work and effort they put into training is capitalized upon during their time in the caged ring.
It is from this shared passion and dedication that a camaraderie between the fighters seemed to exist. Before each match the fighters each briefly greeted their opponent with a touching of fists and at the conclusion of almost every match the fighters offered a quick embrace.
Sometime during the course of CFX VI's 11 matches I found myself thinking about a line from one of the "Matrix" films in which a character reveals after a fight that "one does not truly know someone until they fight them." I am not sure if I would consider this a truism of everyday life, but in the forum of mixed martial arts I found myself observing an undefined rapport and understanding between each of the fighters which seemed intensified by the mutual experience of the match.
This is not to say that each fighter underwent a Zen-like transcendence of time and space as they fought, but the respect and affinity the fighters shared with each other was something that contradicted my initial under-informed opinions of cage fighting.
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Jeremy Lang (top) defeated Mason Heim by a doctor stoppage decision after the second round of their main bout during the Caged Fighting Extreme VI Saturday at the Brainerd Area Civic Center. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
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Despite of the apparent camaraderie shared by the fighters, my night was not without the displays of aggression and violence, which has served as a catalyst in the rising popularity of the forms of cage fighting that have cropped up on cable stations and pay-per-view.
As a member of the media I had without a doubt what one could consider the best seat in the house. I was at most a foot away from the cage that keeps the fighters from falling out of the ring. The first time someone was thrown against the cage in front of me I almost fell backward out of my chair bracing myself for the impact of a 220-pound man being thrown by another 220-pound man into my lap. The cage held and I found myself sharing a look of relief with the people around me.
Another time I had to dodge a speckling of blood as a cut was opened over the eye of one of the fighters in the most brutal match of the night. The photographer next to me was not so lucky.
There was a point in the match when I felt as if I should offer a thumbs up or down to show my appreciation of the fighters a la Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator.
In all seriousness though it is not the ultimate goal of these men or the sport itself to offer forth a bloodbath for the fans enjoyment (or discomfort). In the match in which the fighter was cut, the referee ended the match and medical attention was administered.
At the conclusion of the event I talked with Larson about his thoughts on the success of CFX VI.
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Chaylen Rader (left) protected himself as former Minnesota Gopher wrestler Jacob Volkman pummeled him during their Caged Fighting Extreme VI bout Saturday at the Brainerd Area Civic Center. Volkman won by a tap out in 2:17. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
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"I think things went pretty well...we had a little bit of blood in one of those matches, but I think they (the fighters) gave the fans a good show."
It was also apparent in listening to him interact with the crowd just how appreciative he was of the support of the fans, sponsors, and Brainerd community in general.
Results:
Nate Scutt def.
Dean Wynn 2:08 1st rd via submission
Thor Freeburg def.
RT Hicks 1:31 1st rd via submission
Jesse Miadas def.
John Olson 1:41 1st rd via submission
Josh Glasby def.
Seren Marcaholio :21 1st rd via submission
Jesse Wallace def.
Ottis Funk via Unanimous Dec.
Aaron Benson def.
Tim Koch :58 1st rd via submission
Justin Cox def.
Ryan Murray 3:43 1st rd via Ref. Dec.
Travis McCullough def. Mark Waters via TKO
Jacob Volkman def. Chaylen Rader 2:17
1st rd via tap-out by punches
Jeremy Lang def. Mason Heim end of
1st rd via Ref. Dec. Kyle Jensen
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