If one belt changes hands, mixed martial arts fans have gotten their money’s worth. If two championships change hands, you have a historic night. That is exactly what happened on Wednesday night. The WEC Event at the Santa Ana Star Center in New Mexico provided one of the more historic nights in the history of the organization. Most of the big names in the WEC were on display and they did not disappoint.

On Saturday night, the eagerly awaited Warriors Collide II event was finally here. The Pueblo Convention Center provided an intimate atmosphere, perfect for some kick-ass MMA action. The night started innocently enough, but turned ugly at times. Overall it was a great night with everything an MMA fan could ask for.

The wait is finally over. Warriors Collide II is ready to go down in P-Town. This event was supposed to go down late last year, but the card needed revamping. With six amateur fights and four pro fights, the card is definitely revamped. This loaded card will be on display at the Pueblo Convention Center.

(Denver, Colorado) Steve Alley kicked off the seventh season of Kickdown. Kickdown is considered by some to be one of the best in the area, and often called the “Best & Biggest Little Show” around. It’s the perfect type of event for local fighters to “cut their teeth” on (hopefully not break them!). Kickdown 47 consisted of 10 MMA fights, 4 of which were title matches and also showcased the debut of 5 newcomers to local MMA action. The titles up for grabs were: Jr. Lightweight, Light Heavyweight, Professional Lightweight, and Pro Featherweight. Now let’s GET IT ON to the fights!

(Denver CO) If you like knockouts and hot ring girls that move (and dress) like strippers, then the place to be Friday night was Softball Country. Of the six bouts, five were knock-outs or TKOs. Co-promoters Jim 'Smitty' Smith and Steve Maestes put on a solid event that is a testimony to their large fan base that consistently fills their shows.

Iran “The Blade” Barkley is a five-time world champion who made his name with a third round knockout win over Thomas Hearns in Las Vegas in 1988.  Before he fought Hearns, the champion’s trainer Emanuel Steward knew Barkley had the attitude to be dangerous.  “He’s not that skillful, but he just don’t give a damn”.  Sure enough, battered and on the brink of defeat, Barkley found the right hand to drop Hearns on his back. 

Seconds after regaining his feet, Hearns was rescued by the referee.  Four years later, Barkley became the only man to defeat Hearns twice, when he out pointed him over 12 rounds to win the WBA Light heavyweight title.  This victory also made Barkley a member of an elite group of fighters who have won world titles in three separate weights.

Although there is no title up for grabs in the Saturday rematch between Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik and Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor, there is still a lot on the line for both fighters. The last time they met, in Atlantic City on September 29, Pavlik survived a brutal second round knockdown to come back and stop the favored Taylor in the seventh round. 

In doing so, he won the undisputed middleweight championship. Should Pavlik, 32-0 (29 KOs), Youngstown, Ohio, beat Taylor, 27-1-1 (17 KOs), Little Rock, Arkansas, in the rematch, he will be on the cusp of superstardom. Pavlik is currently a 2-1 favorite to beat Taylor for the second time. 

(Denver CO) I'm in a movie mood. Remember in the movie Pulp Fiction when Vincent and Jules are in the diner and they get robbed? They put their wallets in the trash bag and then do a reverse on their robbers. Jules tells the robber to get his wallet back. The robber asks which one is his. He replies, “it's the one that says, 'bad mutherfucker'. That's Smitty and Steve Maestes.

When Harold Sconiers of Tampa, Florida, looks in the mirror these days he doesn’t see the journeyman heavyweight with a 15-17-2 (10 KOS) record that most other people do.

What he sees is the dynamic, hard-hitting heavyweight who made it to the finals of the 1996 Olympic Trials, and began his pro career with six straight knockouts and one decision victory.

Holiday presents all around...

To our media friends; Ann & Dan, Mike R., Ken and April P., it’s been fun to get to know you and we wish you all a great year.