MMA Fight Coming To Hoosier

War in the Yard, a full-contact mixed martial arts (MMA) event, is coming to Hoosier Park Racing & Casino Saturday, August 8

. The event will feature 11 fights with two main events, a super bout and a feature bout beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are now on sale for the fight and can be purchased at Shelby’s Gifts, located on the Terrace level of Hoosier Park, or by calling (800) 526-7223. Tickets are only available to guests age 18 and over.

Presented by Iron-Bear Fight Productions and the Bull-Dog Fight Series, the event will feature several MMA professional fighters competing in no-holds-barred cage fighting. The match-ups will be held in The Yard at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in front of a crowd estimated to be more than 3,800 spectators.

In the main event, UFC & King of the Cage veteran, Jason Gilliam (24–2) will go to battle with Team Jorge Gurgel’s fighter, Jon Meyer (6-3). After dropping his last bout in the UFC to Chris “Lights Out” Lytle in July 2007, Gilliam has been on a continuous win streak and looks to continue on that path against submission specialist Meyer, who holds notable victories over UFC veterans Tommy Speer and Adrian Serrano.

In the co-main event, King of the Cage veteran Ryan Stout (19–7-1) looks to continue his comeback by upsetting UFC veteran Ryan Thomas (9-3). After taking nearly three years off from the sport, Stout returned to the cage in May 2009 winning by triangle choke in the first round. His opponent, Ryan Thomas, will look to stifle Stout’s comeback. Ryan Thomas will try to return to his winning ways after dropping his last bout in the UFC to Matt Brown in November 2008.

In the feature bout, Anderson, Indiana native and King of the Cage veteran Tristan Yunker (13-8) will clash with UFC, IFL and Bodog Fighter Keith Wisniewski (25–12–2). Yunker holds notable wins over UFC competitors Clay Guida and John Halverson. He looks to use a victory over Wisniewski to take him to the next echelon of MMA competition. Wisniewski is an MMA veteran of over 10 years, and will look to use his experience against the younger Yunker to get back into the MMA spotlight.

Additional fights on the card feature a super bout with Strike Force fighter, Shamar Bailey, as well as bouts including Anderson natives, Troy “Cheesburger” King and Kevin Barkdull. King will face off with UFC competitor Chris Price. Barkdull will go up against Daniel Head from the James Clingerman’s Camp of Greenwood, Indiana. Also featured on the card will be two female fights – Bodog fighters Jordan Sprague and Suzy Smith versus Priscilla Brownfield and Buffi Hayes, respectively.

On hand to make special guest appearances will be UFC superstars Chris “Lights Out” Lytle, Shonie “Mr. International” Carter, and Pride fighter Tom “The Big Cat” Erickson. The event will be judged by celebrities including Terrance “Cobra” Crumpton, an original American Gladiator, Jason Godsey and international fighter John Glover.

Fighter weigh-ins are open to the public and will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 7 at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino on the Terrace level. Immediately after the War in the Yard, a post-fight party will take place at the Double R Bar in the Casino.

Full Fight Card:

MAIN EVENT
Jason Gilliam vs. Jon Meyer

CO-MAIN EVENT
Ryan Stout vs. Ryan Thomas

SUPER BOUT
Shamar Bailey vs. Edward “Keilan” O’Daniel

FEATURE BOUT
Tristan Yunker vs. Keith Wisniewski

Jordan (Jodi) Sprague vs. Priscilla Brownfield
Daniel Head vs. Kevin Barkdull
Tommy Hayden vs. Dustin Neace
Buffi Hayes vs. Suzy Smith
Chris Hanni vs. Harley Hiner
Chris Price vs. Troy King
Lorenzo Hood vs. David Morris

Ticket prices start at $20 for Yard Bleachers. Other options available include Yard Chairs for $30, Ringside Chairs and Ringside Bleachers for $40. The outdoor event will be held in The Yard, located between the racetrack and the casino. In case of rain, War in the Yard will be rescheduled for Sunday, August 9 at 6 p.m.

(Hoosier Park)