Alaska News

Celebrating battles

A right jab and a fall to the mat ended the Alaska Fighting Championship 73, which brought thousands of mixed martial arts fans to Sullivan Arena on Wednesday

Some people came to celebrate the sixth anniversary of AFC, many came to see Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell, who was brought to Anchorage by the Air Force Reserve. One of the most recognizable names in the sport, Liddell is a former light- heavyweight champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and shares a record for the most appearances in UFC with 22. He is credited with bringing the sport to prominence and is one of eight fighters in the UFC hall of fame.

Liddell signed autographs and posed for photos with fans, who camped out in front of Sullivan Arena hours before the doors opened at 6 p.m. His appearance, and events related to the anniversary, led to the fastest sellout of floor tickets in AFC history, promoter Sarah Johnston said.

"The floor sold out in two weeks," she said.

Liddell greeted fans in a gated-off area inside the arena, surrounded by his own photographers and Sullivan Arena security. He sported his signature buzzed mohawk and was simply dressed, wearing a black shirt, blue jeans and black shoes.

Fans were ushered in and placed next to the Iceman for a photo. They couldn't use their own cameras, but were given a website address where they could go to view their moment with the MMA icon. He signed autographs when asked but didn't say much. His facial expression rarely changed from a tired gaze.

Besides Liddell, the night offered what Johnston said was one of AFC's best fight cards in history.

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Nearly eighty tables spread across the floor of Sullivan Arena, all around the octagon-shaped ring in the middle. The fighters entered the arena under a large, blue inflatable awning on the east side of the arena, and walked on a raised platform to the ring.

The tables were full before the fights started, as the general admission seats were starting to fill.

"I came to see a knockout," said Devin James of Anchorage. "It's good to see more fighters with better fights."

Even the reigning AFC women's champion was on hand to celebrate the anniversary.

"I had to bring the belt out," said Willow "The Motivator" Bailey, who wore the belt around her arm like an accessory. "I'm glad to see (MMA) getting serious in Anchorage."

Once the event started, the fighters came out swinging. In the second match, Hipa Fouvale's right jab knocked out Justin Trenton 22 seconds into the match.

The bout between Brandon Hanlin and Harry Caudle was stopped when Hanlin got on top of Caudle's back and proceeded to punch his way to a victory by technical knockout.

"I knew he wasn't good on his feet," said Hanlin. "After I took him down, that's where he got caught."

After a brief intermission appearance by Liddell, Alan Brown and Marcus Rubin had the best technical fight up to that point in the evening, as each fighter went to the mat, trying to put each other into submission. The second round turned into a boxing match, and Brown won by TKO.

In what became the bout of the night, Terrence Mitchell and Jesse Cruz battled a full five rounds for the inaugural featherweight championship. Mitchell beat Cruz the last time the two met, but Cruz won the rematch with a split decision 49-46, 47-48, 48-47.

"I worked so hard for this," an exhausted Cruz said after the fight. "It was very important for me to win."

As for the chances of Mitchell-Cruz III?

"I would love to do it," Cruz said. "I want to knock him out."

Challenger Seth Hildabrande took on champion Brian Ryan for the heavyweight title. Hildabrande, who was nearly 20 pounds lighter than his opponent, became a last-minute replacement when Ryan's original opponent withdrew.

Ryan opened up a cut above Hildabrande's left eye in the first round, but Hildabrande was able to fight out the rest of the round. In the second round, Hildabrande went down on his back multiple times, motioning for Ryan to come to the ground, which the champion never did.

Near the end of the round, Hildabrande went to the ground again, and Ryan still didn't follow. As Hildabrande got up, Ryan threw a quick right jab, which caught the challenger in the chin. Ryan pounced on the downed Hildabrande, but the referee intervened. Ryan won by KO and kept his belt.

"Everybody knows I suck on the ground, it's no secret," said Ryan. "I had planned before the fight to go on the ground, but I relaxed and waited it out."

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After the last match, the lights went on and most of the audience left the arena.

A few kids stuck around to get autographs from the champion, who was more then happy to oblige.

"I love these fans," Ryan said as he signed programs and posed for pictures. "This is why I fight."

Find Matt Anderson online at adn.com/contact/manderson or call 257-4335.

AFC 73 Results

Heavyweight Championship

Brian Ryan def. Seth Hildabrande, Rd. 2, KO

Featherweight Championship

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Jesse Cruz def. Terrence Mitchell, Split Decision, (49-46, 47-48, 48-47)

Lightweight

Scott Thometz def. Cody Rice, Rd. 1, Submission

Catchweight

Alan Brown def. Marcus Rubin, Rd. 2, TKO

Bantamweight

Jared Mazurek def. Derek Chalifour, Rd. 1, Submission

Middleweight

Brandon Hanlin def. Harry Caudle, Rd. 1, TKO

Light-heavyweight

Hipa Fouvale def. Justin Trenton, Rd. 1, KO

Middleweight

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Jonathan Faulkner def. Evan Thompson, Rd. 1, Submission

Blog: Cagefighting AK

By MATT ANDERSON

manderson@adn.com

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