RUF MMA and ONE Championship are bringing mixed-martial arts athletes from around the United States to the Celebrity Theatre octagon for RUF41 Summer Showdown on Sunday, June 20.
The Summer Showdown is part of the “Road to One Tournament,” a 16-man bracket that comes down to one athlete signing a $100,000 contract with ONE Championship.
At the Celebrity Theatre, the event will Mike Quintero versus Nyle Bartling; Cody East against Maurice Jackson and Jonathan Martin battling Ed Perez
“Outside of the ‘Road to ONE’ championships, I have four pro fights,” says RUF MMA matchmaker Jason Martinez.
“And one of those pro fights, my main event for the whole event, is between a seasoned vet in Roman Salazar and Cody Huard, who is also a local pro.”
Martinez says many fans do not realize Arizona is a hotbed for MMA.
“There is a ton of talent here and some of the coaching staffs and gyms based here in Arizona have rosters of very experienced, high-level mixed-martial artists in all promotions,” he adds.
RUF MMA has a constant stream of fighters flowing through it who move on to bigger promotions. This weekend should continue that trend. Martinez hopes to see RUF MMA become one of the larger companies.
This is the third 2021 show for the country’s only Native-owned fighting promotion. UFC legend Rich Franklin, who is the ONE FC vice president, is slated to attend.
Ringside Promotions holds promoter’s licenses through the Arizona State Boxing & MMA Commission and multiple casino gaming licenses in Arizona. It has a gaming license through the Arizona Department of Gaming as a premiere casino vendor and is looking to increase its range of operations and bring its thousands of fans, reach, brand and services to multiple property locations across the country.
RUF MMA hung on during the COVID-19 pandemic and is pleased to open its doors to a possible 100% capacity crowd. Tickets are still available.
“We’re just super excited to be in a beautiful venue such as Celebrity Theatre,” Martinez says.
“Every seat in that theater is a great seat. We’re happy to have a bigger audience capacity. We are extremely hopeful and excited to try to sell it out and just bring all that energy back to the fight game in Arizona.”
RUF MMA and ONE Championship’s “RUF 41 Summer Showdown”
WHEN: 3 p.m. Sunday, June 20
WHERE: Celebrity Theatre, 440 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix
COST: Tickets start at $45
