Shark Fights now holds the highest attendance record for a live outdoor sporting event in Texas
Amarillo, TX. – July, 2009 – Popular Texas Fight Promotion Company, Shark Fight Promotions, broke attendance records over the weekend during their Shark Fight 5.5 MMA event at Gamboa’s Outdoor Event Center in Amarillo. The promoter, who did not charge admission for the action packed fight event, could not be happier. Shark Fight Promotions now holds the highest attendance record for a live outdoor sporting event in the state of Texas. “Shark Fight 5.5 – Nothing to Lose†drew a record 10,603 fans, despite threatening weather.
Jim Larson, President of Shark Fight Promotions, had this to say “without a doubt there are thousands of devoted fight fans in Texas and we are proud that we were able to put on a free MMA event for them. We were taken back by the tremendous response, it was truly amazing. Fans from all areas of Texas came out in full force on Saturday night to support their local fighters. Seeing so many people in the city come together for this event made it especially rewarding.â€Â
Many local fighters lined the nine-bout Shark Fight 5.5 card, including a much anticipated bout featuring Texas fan favorite Marcus Sursa. Three of Sursa’s previously scheduled opponents withdrew due to injury, making this his first official bout in nine months. Sursa, who stepped into the cage to battle opponent Ricky Shivers, did not disappoint.
In the first action packed round, Sursa and Shivers came out full force relentlessly exchanging kicks and blows. At the end of the first round, the fight went to the mat, where both fighters showcased their exceptional grappling skills. Sursa eventually landed an elbow that resulted in a gash above Shivers’ left eye. In the end, Sursa raised his hand in victory, defeating Shivers via triangle choke 57 seconds into the second round.
Immediately following the bout, when Shark Fight match maker Brent Medley asked the fans if they would like to see Sursa (13-4) compete for the Shark Fight Light-heavyweight Title, the cheers from the crowd were deafening. Shark Fight Executives will begin negotiating terms for a title bout with Marcus Sursa very soon, and will be aggressively looking for a high caliber fighter to face him for the now vacant Shark Fight Light-Heavyweight Title.
The Shark Fight 5.5 event also featured the promotions first Featherweight Title bout. Doug Evans, who fights out of Anchorage Alaska, defeated Amarillo native Douglas Frey by Guillotine Choke in the second round, claiming the coveted Shark Fight Featherweight Title. Evans, who humbly thanked Shark fights for the opportunity and Frey for accepting the fight, dedicated his win to the wife of Shark Fight’s President Jim Larson, as she is currently battling cancer.
In other fight highlights, UFC Veteran Nissan Osterneck handed former Boys Ranch coach Kyle Bracey his first loss, defeating him via triangle choke at 1:05 in the first round. Lubbock’s Rolando Scott defeated Amarillo’s own Thomas Grissom after three rounds of impressive non-stop action, where both fighters showcased their high caliber stand up and ground skills. Scott claimed a TKO victory at 1:51 in the third round.
For more information on Shark Fight Promotions and future Shark Fight events, please visit www.Sharkfights.com.
Official Shark Fight 5.5 Results:
• Doug Evans defeated Douglas Frey via guillotine Choke at 60 seconds in the 1st round
• Marcus Sursa defeated Ricky Shivers via triangle choke at 57 seconds in the 2nd round
• Nissen Osterneck defeated Kyle Bracey via triangle choke at 1:05 in the 1st round
• Brian Humes defeated Elmar Nicely via rear naked choke at 59 seconds in the 1st round
• Rolando Scott defeated Thomas Grissom via TKO at 1:51 in the 3rd round
• Heath Dodgen defeated Oscar Granado via unanimous decision
• Edgar Santos defeated Conan Kano via knee bar at 2:00 into the 1st round
About Shark Fight Promotions:
Shark Fight Promotions, based out of Amarillo Texas, is an up and coming Fight Promotion Company dedicated to driving the growth of mixed martial arts through the production of high quality MMA events and by effectively showcasing MMA fighters. The organization takes pride in putting the fans and fighters first; therefore they strive to make each Shark Fight event more exciting than the last. Executives within the organization are committed to producing impressive fight cards with extremely competitive matchups. They are also very passionate about their philanthropic endeavors. Shark Fight Promotions stays very involved in charity causes by partnering with, and contributing to, non-profit organizations in each city that hosts a Shark Fight
