Maryland welcomes first MMA card

Maryland Welcomes First MMA Card

For a long time, many considered mixed martial arts as nothing more than a no-holds-barred, overly-violent primitive blood sport.

During that time, the state of Maryland also regarded it as so — until recently. With the help of persistent John Rallo, co-owner of Ground Control Academy, a Baltimore-based Brazilian jiu-jitsu training center, and numerous other MMA ambassadors, Maryland became the 35th state to legalize one of the fastest growing sports in the country.

Now Rallo, in partnership with Frank Remesch, general manager of 1st Mariner Arena, will host Shogun Fights, the state’s first mixed martial arts event, Oct. 24.

“I’m excited and really looking forward to it,” Rallo said, admitting he is a little anxious to host his first event. “We’ve got a lot of good people around to make sure it runs smoothly, so hopefully it is a success.”

Shogun Fights will be the culmination of a long battle by local trainers and fighters to gain state recognition of the sport. For years, Rallo spearheaded the push to get the sport sanctioned by the Maryland State Athletic Commission, and in April 2008 the Maryland General Assembly signed a bill allowing the state to authorize and regulate MMA fights.

Rallo said he couldn’t have done it without all the lawyers, doctors, trainers and fighters who supported and testified on behalf of the sport.

“It’s incredible what John was able to do to change the minds of certain Maryland officials,” Remesch said. “It didn’t make any sense for us not to have it. It’s been a long time coming.”

Baltimore’s own Binky Jones, who trains at Rallo’s gym, will headline the event in a 145-pound weight class fight against former three-time NCAA Division III All-American wrestler Jason McLean. Jones wrestled at Mount St. Joseph before wrestling for two years at Morgan State.

“It should be a really, really good matchup and an exciting fight,” Rallo said. “There are a lot of good fights on the card.”

Although the fights are what people come to see, Rallo said they are not the only attraction. There are also pre- and post-fight VIP parties, sponsored by Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Rallo said a few special guests are scheduled to be in attendance, including swimming great Michael Phelps and Ravens running back Ray Rice.

“I’m trying to make this into an event,” Rallo said. “I just don’t want it to be, ‘Hey, let’s go see some fights.’ I want people to have some fun and excitement while they’re here.”

Once the sport became legal in Maryland, Remesch called Rallo to pitch the idea to hold an event at 1st Mariner.

“We’ll close off part of the arena to create a much more intimate atmosphere,” Remesch said. “If you’re going to hold an event like this, Baltimore is the place to do it because we’re a great sports town and [I’m told] we always get great ratings here.”

If Shogun Fights becomes a success, Rallo hopes to hold three shows a year at 1st Mariner Arena.

“I’m just hoping at our level to run a nice regional event where our fighters can get some exposure,” Rallo said. “I hope that one day our fighters will get to the next level.”

The Oct. 24 show begins at 7 p.m. and the VIP party begins at 5 p.m.

Official Card (subject to change)

Weight Fight

145 Jim Hettes vs. Steven Baker

135 Rick Desper vs. Andrew McCoy

155 Jacob Kirwan vs. Brad Pole

145 Ryan Mackin vs. Jason Hillecker

185 Joey Kirwan vs. Dan Root

185 Dave Daniecki vs. Wade Drake

165 Mike Paschall vs. Scottie Ayers

155 Carey Vanier vs. Paul Mann

135 Steve Deangelis vs. Lazar Stojadinovic

205 Cody Donovan vs. Joe Stripling

145 Binky Jones vs. Jason McLean