Local fighters to compete in Rumble at the Ramada

by Caleb Casey-Senior Staff Writer

Three of the fighters scheduled to compete in the Rumble at the Ramada on Saturday, Nov. 28, are (L to R) Roy Middleton, Eric Madill, and Daniel Stafford. Middleton and Madill are from Crawford County; Stafford is from Gaylord.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009 1:42 PM EST

Several local fighters will compete in a series of mixed martial arts (MMA) bouts during the Rumble at the Ramada - an MMA cage fight event slated for Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Grayling Ramada Inn.

"I think we're going to have a really good show," said event organizer Zack Burns. "They're going to have a war."

Burns, an instructor for a local martial arts school - New World Karate - said he's helped train a few of the Rumble at the Ramada participants. The local fighters have been competing in other MMA tournaments in Michigan and they've had success, he said.

"We've been doing great overall. They've lost like once or twice, and they've got like 30 wins. These guys deserve a good show. I think Grayling should come and support the guys."

Burns and other organizers had a similar tournament in May of 2009 at the Ramada Inn.

"Last time we did it, I think everyone from Grayling won. Hopefully we can do that again," Burns said. "We're getting a lot of really good fighters for the show."

Burns said he's got seven local fighters lined up - Troy Wilson, Roy Middleton, Travis Webb, Eric Madill, Brandon Pratt, Ryan Haskin, and Joey Bancroft - for the upcoming Rumble at the Ramada. Several of these competitors had successful wrestling seasons at Grayling High School before graduating.

"You can tell that the (GHS wrestling coaches) did good training them," Burns said.

The Rumble at the Ramada will start at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Grayling Ramada Inn, Xpress Copy, or by contacting Burns at (989) 370-0585. Tickets are $25 each.

"I'm excited to see some of the guys. There's going to be some wars. There's going to be some blood," Burns said.

Burns said spectators can expect the fights to be similar to MMA battles that can be viewed on television - "no holds barred," he said - but seeing it unfold live is "much better." The event should include approximately a dozen fights.

"It'll be the same stuff you see on TV, pretty much," Burns said. "It's much better being there than watching it on TV. It's completely different."

Any businesses interested in sponsoring the Rumble at the Ramada (and having their names mentioned as sponsors during the event) or anyone interested in receiving training as a fighter can contact Burns at (989) 370-0585.

Burns said May's cage fight "went well" and he hopes to organize more MMA tournaments in the area in the future after this month's event.

"I'm hoping this one goes really good. We'll see," he said.