A full night of amateur MMA action featuring seven Comox Valley fighters goes Saturday night in Campbell River when King of the Rock hits the Thunderbird Hall.
It is the first of three cards in the KOTR series and part of a fundraising effort for B.C. Children’s Hospital by promoter Lisa Petterson.
The main event features Chris Anderson of Comox Valley MMA against Nick Austin of Burnaby. Anderson (2-0) says he is excited to be fighting in front of friends and family. He is also looking forward to moving up to fight at the 170-pound level for the first time.
While all of the bouts are scheduled for three three-minute rounds, Anderson said, “It’ll go one round. I’m calling a head and arm triangle at two minutes and six seconds.”
One of the co-main events features Bronson “Bulldozer” Petterson of Comox Valley MMA against Jonathan Dubois of Coquitlam in a 185-pound tilt.
Petterson has a 4-0 record and a wicked right hand that has resulted in all his wins coming via first-round knockout.
Promoter Petterson says it’s been hard finding opponents for her son the fighter, as the last four prospective opponents have bowed out after viewing videos of the Bulldozer in action.
On the undercard, Kerry Holloway of Comox Valley MMA will take on Darren Cheekenew of Vancouver in what will be ring debuts for both heavyweights.
A longtime powerlifter, Holloway has gone from 286 pounds down to a chiselled 208, including shedding 40 pounds in his past month of training.
Holloway said he is definitely looking forward to tomorrow night. “I’m gonna come out swinging,” he said.
Promoter Petterson notes all the fights on the card feature a Vancouver Island fighter, with representation from Victoria to Port Hardy.
Other Comox Valley MMA competitors scheduled to appear on the undercard include Johnny “The Sleeper” Wilson vs. Chris Cenname (Port Alberni), Max Tuck vs. Allen George (Duncan), Dylan Brown vs. Andrew Lewis (Duncan), and Chris Anderson (no relation to the main event Anderson) vs. Ken Harvey (Port Hardy).
Doors open at 6 p.m. and the fights start at 7 p.m. As part of the fundraising, there will be autographed items to be raffled. The KOTR ring girls have done their part for the project by participating in Bikini Blackmail, which has raised $4,000 and still counting for Children’s Hospital.
Tickets for the event have been selling well and are available by calling 250-898-1175.
sports@comoxvalleyrecord.com