Island Fights return to O.B. Event Center Nov. 9

Island Fights return to O.B. Event Center Nov. 9

Five amateur & five professinal fights on the card

By Fran Thompson
Pensacola based Island Fights returns to the UFC ring at the Orange Beach Event Center at the Wharf in Orange Beach for Island Fights 61 on Saturday, Nov. 9 beginning at 6 p.m..
There are five amateur and five professional fights scheduled within the UFC cage.
In the main event, undefeated Impa Kasanganay (6-0) takes on one of his toughest fights to date when he matches wits and strength against Andre’ Hall (4-1).
Kasanganay is fresh off his huge victory on the Dana White Contender Series. A highly anticipated fight between Rance Jones Jr. and Chase Gamble is also on the undercard.
All five professional fights are available for streaming on UFC Fight Pass.
tickets are at the gate any sassy bass ruffoussport or matta at 251-424-7797 mark 205-253-7508.
VIP tables of 10 are available for $100 per person. General admission tickets are $35 and available at Sassy Bass restaurants on Marina Rd. in Orange Beach or Ft. Morgan. General admission tickets will also be available at the door or by calling 251-424-7797 or 205-253-7508.
Matt Halfacre, the owner of Roufusport Marshall Arts in Foley, is working with Island Fights owner Dean Tool on all of the Orange Beach fights. The two entrepreneurs also co-founded Bully Proof, a Foley based anti-bullying foundation.
“I help with the set up and the production locally when the fights are over here,’’ he said. “I’m here locally on the ground selling tickets and pushing local traffic.’’
The amateur bouts begin at 6 p.m. and the five professional matches are expected to start at 8 p.m.
Halfacre said comparing the athletes who will fight professionally in Orange Each to Triple A baseball Players would be a good analogy.
“These guys are one or two good fights away from Madison Square Garden, but it is as big as it can be here in Orange Beach.’’
He added that the amateur bouts often draw the most interest since many of those fighters bring large contingencies of family and friends.
“We had a thousand people come the last time we were in Orange Beach, and we are hoping for 600 more than that this time,’’ he said. “But either way we are going to have a blast. It’s going to be a good time.’’
The official weigh-in party and post fight party will be held at The Sands at The Wharf.
Pictured: Foley native Matt Halfacre, owner of Roufusport Martial Arts has a black belt in TKD and a black belt in Roufusport Kickboxing. He has participated in boxing, Muay Thai, Karate, TKD, wrestling, BJJ and MMA and coaches Roufusport Foley’s competition team, which has developed multiple pro MMA fighters and the only pro Muay Thai fighter in Alabama.