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August 8, 2009

Amazing journey for MMA

Fighters reflect on sport's path to Hoosier Park

By Quintin Harlan, Herald Bulletin Sports Writer

ANDERSON — There were a few common themes among the fighters and staff for the “War in The Yard” at Hoosier Park on Saturday.

Before the bell rang to start the first mixed martial arts fight, emotions ranged from excitement — at the prospect of finally getting to compete after training for their respective bouts — to outright joy — for the fact that the show was finally happening.

Indianapolis’ Chris Lytle has been on his fair share of big shows. The 34-year-old is a veteran of the sport and has been a contender in the Ultimate Fighting Championship for years. He was also in the main event for the last “big” MMA show in Indiana. On Aug. 11, 2007, Lytle headlined the United Fight League card at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Lytle has long been a proponent for regulation of MMA in the Hoosier State and saw the Aug. 8 card at Hoosier Park as the next step in the progression of the sport in Indiana.

“It’s a fantastic step; it’s the first big show since regulation came (July 1),” said Lytle. “When you have high-quality fights and high-quality production (of the shows) it can’t do anything but help (the growth of the sport).”

Local fighters Troy King and Tristan Yunker, both of Anderson, saw Saturday’s card as the culmination of a long and winding road for mixed martial arts in Indiana.

“It’s been a long time in coming,” said King of the caliber of professional card that was set to take place. “We’ve had a lot of good fighters that just didn’t get a lot of attention. Hopefully this will go a long way toward helping them get noticed.”

“It was bound to happen,” said Yunker. “To me the future is now for the sport.”

Like Lytle, Ryan Stout is a well-traveled veteran of MMA. He’s fought in the UFC and for Pancrase, a Japanese organization that predates the UFC and is still putting on top-quality matches.

“I fought (in Anderson) about five years ago in the (National Guard) armory.” said Stout as he relaxed in the fighters room at Hoosier Park before the show. “It’s just a little bit different.”

Ring announcers Joe York and Bruce Pettis have seen the sport grow from its infancy in Indiana. Both have been announcing boxing and mixed martial arts matches for years. For them Saturday was a time to reflect on where the sports been and where it’s going.

“Today is a dream come true,” York said. “To have this happen in my hometown makes me very proud.”

“One thing I have to say is hats off to Gary Myers for bringing this show to Hoosier Park before the UFC does,” said Pettis. “The best thing about regulation is it will force everyone to be more organized, especially at the smaller shows.”

At Friday’s weigh-ins, Price said that the rematch with King would “be a battle for redemption.” Before their match, King and Price shared their thoughts heading into their second go around.

“The last time was a war; there was a title and a UFC contract on the line and I got a real close decision,” said Price. “We went our separate ways and now we’re meeting in the center again.”

King’s smile is his trademark, and it was in full effect Saturday night.

“I’m just a happy guy when I’m in the cage,” said King. “I agree with everything Chris said (Friday). We’re going to put on a show.”

Price would go on to defeat King by submission do to a triangle-choke.

Yunker was set to take on Keith Wisniewski in a welterweight bout. Before the fight Yunker expressed a desire to not just win but be exciting in the cage.

“Almost more so than winning, I want to put on a good fight, win or lose,” said Yunker. “This is going to be the fight of the night,” he predicted.

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