Mixed martial arts fight night at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) is hosted a mixed martial arts event for service members and their families at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma.
The event features 18 amateur fighters, as well as an MMA host and DJ.
The Operations Chief for MCCS explained why those on the base are looking forward to the event.
“It’s actually going to be a legitimate bout we’re looking forward to it because as everybody knows the Marine Corps has a martial arts program and so it gives us a chance to see what that looks like on a higher level,” said Chief Michael Southward.
The first match of the night was also a homecoming for one of the fighters.
Lexxi Moncada trains in Tucson, Arizona but is from Yuma, and she is excited to have the match in her home town.
“It feels awesome like just to have this event here you know in my home town it means a lot so I’m really excited,” said Moncada.
Moncada ended up losing in the first round but was still all smiles while being back in her home town.
Among those in attendance was Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial artist Miesha Tate showing her support for the amateur fighters and the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
“I love it the fights in here the crowd goes so crazy becuase I feel like these fighters lay so much on the line they don’t have a lot of experience so they don’t always see the punches or the kciks coming you know so it’s very explosive,” said Tate.
Tate was able to describe why she relates to events like the one friday night.
“I just remember that feeling as an amateur really trying to be in the moment and just like be calm but you’re not calm it’s just like such a struggle to find the balance but they put on the best fights they really do,” said Tate.
