Cal Poly hosting MMA Benefit Match
When I first saw these fliers on campus that looked like it was advertising a MMA match, I only thought, “Oh hey! Another cool poster to snag!” But then I noticed that it had the colors green and gold on it. The next thing that went off in my head was, “What?! Could Cal Poly could be hosting a MMA cage fight?!” Sure enough, they are.
This coming Saturday May 22, Cal Poly’s wrestling will be hosting “Fight for Wrestling”, a benefit MMA event that will be supporting Cal Poly’s current Wrestling program. Wrestling hopes to raise $75,000 to secure a future for the Wrestling program that looks like it’s in jeopardy.
Aside from raising money for wrestling, Fight for Wresting is going to be the first professional MMA event held on a college campus and in San Luis Obispo County.
Those who are only familiar with big time MMA names should note that UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, (and who also happens to be a Cal Poly graduate), Chuck Liddel will be making an appearance. Founding member of MMA, Jeff Blatnick will be in attendance as well.
The actual contenders of the of the night include students of Cal Poly such as Mike Gahan, a third year Wine and Vit major, who will be making his professional MMA debut in Mott Gym. Corby Poulis and Sam Temko, (a former Cal Poly wrestler) will be fighting out of gyms in the county Half Moon Bay and Hitman Training Center, respectively. while three others, Brandon Drucker, Preston Scharf, and Terry Cook will be fighting out of SLO Kickboxing.
Lady fighters Casey Noland and Jenny Trujillo who will also be competing that night. Noland is a Cal Poly graduate herself and still has connections to the campus with her parents who teach on campus and coach wrestling.
Many of the wrestlers who are competing were former Cal Poly students and also a part of the school’s wrestling team.
Other events to gain more of the public attention include an open workout to the public on May 11 at SLO Kickboxing. Downtown Brew hosted a “beauty pagent” of some sort for the next MMA ring girl on May 14. The official weigh in for the matches will take place this coming Friday, May 21 also at Downtown Brew at 3 p.m.
Admission for the general public is $35, with a valid Cal Poly ID, admission costs $25. In addition, there will be a Reserved Bleachers, Floor, and Chairback seating for $55 and VIP Tickets will cost $75.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
For more information, you can check out Fight For Wrestling.
