Saunders vs. Volkmann
Is this the best non-UFC MMA fight in Minnesota history?
RED WING, Minn. — When Ben Saunders and Jacob Volkmann battle it out Sept. 9 at the Treasure Island Resort & Casino, both are hoping that Ultimate Fighting Championship matchmaker Joe Silva is paying attention.
Saunders (19-7-2) fought 11 times in the UFC and was on a 3-fight winning streak when he lost the last fight on his deal early this year. He could have signed a new deal prior to his last fight, but he was considering retirement and admits he wasn’t focused on his career. After the loss, the UFC filled its roster and no longer had room to add Saunders. The 33-year-old from Orlando, Fla., is 7-4 in UFC bouts and 7-3 in Bellator, making two tournament finals.
Volkmann (19-6) fought 10 times in the UFC and posted a 6-4 record. The former University of Minnesota wrestler was released 3 1/2 years ago and has been fighting in quality televised events like World Series of Fighting and Legacy. The 35-year-old from White Bear Lake, Minn., has won 4 of 6 bouts and a win over a talent like Saunders could be his springboard back to the big show.
Saunders-Volkmann headlines Fight Night at the Island at Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Doors open at 5 p.m. and fighting starts at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $35 and are available at the Island Box
Office (call 877 849-1640) and all Ticketmaster locations
(http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/060050FD960C6E33?SREF=TWEvent).
Fight Night at The Island features special guest officials, including legendary Big John McCarthy, the sports most recognizable referee. McCarthy is perhaps best known for his officiating in thousands of bouts promoted by the UFC, dating all the way back to UFC 2, in addition to Bellator and dozens of other promotions worldwide. The other guest official is UFC Hall of Famer Frank Twinkle Toes
Trigg. An American mixed martial artist, color commentator, pro wrestler and TV host, Trigg is a veteran of the UFC, Pride Fighting Championships, Rumble on the Rock, Icon Sport, BAMMA, World Fighting Alliance, and has made professional wrestling appearances in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
Tickets are on sale and seats are $35, $65 and $100. Get an exclusive ringside VIP table with free drinks for $1,000. Must be 16 years of age or older to attend and guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
The undercard features 10 Minnesota fighters, many of them headline fighters from other area events.
In feature bouts, Damien Hill (11-3) from Rochester, Minn., takes on UFC veteran Justin Edwards (8-5) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and in a battle of top strikers, Andrew Kapel (8-2) of Minneapolis faces Cody Senseney (8-2) of Gulfport, La.
Travis Perzynski (19-9) of Mazeppa, Minn., comes out of retirement for a rematch against UFC veteran Alonzo Martinez (40-19) of Omaha, Neb., Nick Compton (12-4) of South Haven, Minn., takes on Jason Fischer (9-3) of Detroit, and Garrett Olson (6-6) of Cambridge, Minn., fights Shaun Asher (11-3) of West Union, Ohio. And, Lydell Miller of Fridley, Minn., makes his pro debut against John Melina (0-3) of Buffalo, Minn.
In a long-anticipated amateur fight, Akeela Al-Hameed of Apple Valley, Minn., will make her MMA debut against a yet-to-be chosen opponent. Al-Hameed is 29-0 in submission matches, winning all by submission. And rounding out the amateur portion of the card is a battle between former University of Minnesota wrestler Joel Bauman (0-0) of Woodbury, Minn., and Andres Murray (4-2) of Grand Forks, N.D.
