AJC Article

14-fight card expected to draw thousands tonight

BYLINE: DAVID PURDUM
DATE: March 24, 2006
PUBLICATION: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (GA)
EDITION: Main; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SECTION: Gwinnett News
PAGE: J6

Kevin Gittemeier, a four-year veteran of the ultimate fighting scene, used to attempt to force his opponents into submission. Those days are over.

Now his favorite move is:

"A concussion," said Gittemeier, who will be taking on International Sport Combat Federation U.S. Champion Cam McHargue in tonight's featured match on a 14-fight card at Wild Bill's in Duluth. "You used to be able to just try to get a submission, now the level of competition is so extremely high that I try to land an elbow to the face before going for something like an arm bar."

Like the skill level, the interest in ultimate fighting is on the rise. David Oblas, president of Undisputed Productions LLC and a fight promoter, is anticipating a crowd of more than 4,000 spectators tonight.

"It's going to be the largest fight in Atlanta since Evander Holyfield fought here [in September 1998 at the Georgia Dome]," said Oblas, who has put on 27 fights in the Atlanta area.

Gittemeier began to notice the increase in fanfare shortly after Spike TV began televising "The Ultimate Fighter," a mixed martial arts reality show, in 2004. More than 2.6 million people tuned into the this year's season finale, up 400 percent from the first season.

Among viewers between ages 18 and 34, it was the highest-rated cable program on Saturday night, Nov. 5, outdrawing college football on ESPN.

ULTIMATE FIGHTING

• What: Wild Bill's Fight Night; 14-bout mixed martial arts, no-holds-barred fighting.

• Where: 2075 Market St., Duluth

• When: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., first fight approximately 8:30 p.m.

• Tickets: Available at all Ticketmaster locations, including www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 404-249-6400 or the Fight Hotline at 404-626-2126.