Published: July 17, 2008 10:18 am            

Martial Arts

from special reports

Mixed Martial Arts at its finest will be coming to Meridian Saturday.

This UFC-style fighting will make its debut at the Frank Cochran center. O-1 Productions and Bad Boy Enterprises have teamed up with Budweiser to bring some of the best full contact fighting Meridian has ever seen.

Twelve bouts have been scheduled to include a mixture of Pro, Amateur, and Title Bouts.

Many local competitors will have the chance to show off their talents to their hometown crowds. Included in these will be Meridian's own Patrick Jones who dominated the scene in west Mississippi by defeating Tony "Babalu" Goldbold and obtaining the MidSouth MMA Welterweight Belt.

Tad Waltman of Lake will once again have to defend his Bantamweight Belt by facing off with Adam Griffin of Tuscaloosa, Ala. One of the three Pro bouts to take place will introduce Philadelphia's own Jason Goodin, who will have the difficult task of defeating one of Mississippi's best, Brian Albin, for the Light Heavyweight title.

Other local talents include Brandon Evans (Philadelphia), Dustin Harris (Newton) and Jeremy Buckley (Newton), all from "Team Never Back Down" and "Collins MMA".

The doors of the Frank Cochran Center will open at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The first bout is scheduled to begin at 7:30.

Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door. VIP tables are available. Call O-1 Productions at (662) 364-3443 for reservations.

        

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