Post by sasheca on Jul 28, 2011 6:54:25 GMT -5
July 13, 2011
By Geoff Zochodne/The Oshawa Express
Oshawa’s first Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event may be one of the finest the province has ever seen.
“Outside of the UFC, we’re probably going to have the strongest card in Ontario,” says Stuart “Shiloh” Hinds, a member of Caged Combat Championships (C3). The Oklahoma-based organization has put on more than 40 fights in its history.
The event is Oshawa’s first taste of MMA, and will take place at the General Motors Centre on August 20. With the event, C3 will also be making its first foray into Ontario.
“It’s an honour and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to bring world-class MMA to Oshawa,” says Hinds. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing; mixed martial arts doesn’t come to Oshawa very often.”
While the card has not been finalized and is still subject to scrutiny by the Ontario Athletic Commission (OAC), the planned main event pits lightweight fighters Rich Clementi and Cameron Dollar against one another. Both are veterans of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Clementi has over 60 fights under his belt, and is looking to bounce back after two consecutive losses. Dollar is on a five-fight win streak as of late and participated in season nine of The Ultimate Fighter, the UFC’s reality show. That dichotomy, the old hand versus the up-and-comer, will prove to be a potent mix, says Hinds.
“We’re bringing UFC quality fights to a smaller environment,” he states.
The event will also offer an opening for some local talent.
“There are a lot of Canadian fighters we want to showcase,” explains Hinds. “As we get a little closer we’ll introduce the full card.”
At present, rumoured fighters include more UFC vets like Matt Veach, Carmelo Marrero and Dan Cramer. Until fully sanctioned by the OAC, something that C3 doesn’t mind waiting for, no matches can be set.
“All the rules and regulations are there to protect the fighters and built the sport,” notes Hinds. “We don’t want any setbacks. We have no problem working with the OAC.”
Also appearing as special guests are UFC fighters Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard and Joe “Daddy” Stevenson, who will be in the corner of his protégé, Cody Bollinger, scheduled to fight that evening.
An Oshawa press conference may be in the works, says Hinds, in order to formally introduce the city to the event.
WIN TICKETS
Cameron Dollar, who will fight in the main event on August 20, has not lost a fight since the Ultimate Fighter season nine finale, held in June of 2009.
For tickets, you need only answer the following question: Which other UFC fighter did Dollar most recently defeat?
Submit your answers at www.c3fights.ca for a chance to win tickets, courtesy of the Oshawa Express, to the Original Caged Combat Championships at General Motors Centre, on August 20.
Tickets are on sale at the General Motors Centre, as well as by calling 1-877-436-8811.