Going Out: When ‘howdy’ Is a Fightin’ Word, Beaus Of Brawl Are At Wild Bill’s

BYLINE: JON WATERHOUSE
DATE: March 24, 2006
PUBLICATION: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (GA)
EDITION: Main; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SECTION: Gwinnett Weekend
PAGE: JW3

Typically, the rowdiest things at Wild Bill’s nightclub are sauced-up suburban cowboys or Zeus the mechanical bull.

Tonight, the vibe changes drastically. The two-stepping gets replaced by the old one-two for Wild Bill’s Fight Night.

Most of the 14 bouts feature mixed martial arts, a blend of boxing, kickboxing and grappling not unlike the Ultimate Fighting Championship-style popular on TV. This means kicking, punching, kneeing, elbowing and submission holds are allowed. Yes, it’s going to get ugly.

Although it’s all about athleticism, professional fights play out best with a hint of drama. And the main event is drenched in it.

Valdosta’s Cam McHargue –the International Sports Combat Federation U.S. welterweight champion — will face challenger Kevin Gittemeier from McDonough. Their public smack-talking goes back to the mid-’90s when McHargue opposed a bill allowing more mixed martial arts fight promoters in Georgia. Gittemeier was a vocal supporter of that bill, which eventually passed, and the two fighters have been at odds ever since.

“These two guys absolutely hate each other,” says promoter David Oblas of Undisputed Productions. “And both are so sure of a victory that they’ve agreed to a winner take all.”

As Oblas put it, one fighter goes home with the entire $6,000 purse, but the other suffers a beating and walks away with nothing. It’s a rare happening in the mixed martial arts arena, he says.

Gittemeier, who agreed to take on McHargue in a nontitle fight, is wagering $8,000 on himself.

“I have three kids and a wife,” says Gittemeier, who works 40 hours a week as an elevator technician. “If I win, I’ll buy my wife a new van. If I lose, I’ll be working overtime.”

THE 411:

$25-$100. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., fights start at 8:30 p.m. today. Wild Bill’s Atlanta, 2075 Market St., Duluth; www.ticketmaster.com, 404-249-6400