Hard Rock MMA 32 - FIGHT DAY

Saturdays are the best days of the week for fight fans. Not too long ago if I was given the chance to watch a free event from UFC or pay to go to a local show on the same night I would have opted for the free gift. As I have really started to dig in and be a student & fan of MMA I realize the value of local shows. Where did the superstars of today get their start? Of course its 2011 so you have your T.U.F. guys who got a shot at prime time without ever putting in low profile fights. That leaves the majority of the fighters coming through the ranks at..you guessed it..LOCAL SHOWS. I have absolutely been blown away by the support we have got and been able to transfer to Hard Rock MMA. As you know, tonight is Hard Rock 32 in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. We are pleased to say that we were in a position to give away some tickets, get an interview with the match maker of the promotion and throw our support their way. We got some radio time with a fellow blogger and sports talk radio host in Las Vegas and got to mention the promotion. Overall we feel like we did everything we could do to help these guys.

So here is your last shot. Our last plea. The big bang and all that jazz. If you haven't done so get a ticket. Its not more expensive than dinner and a movie. You'll be around great people and great live entertainment. We would be willing to refund your money if it was that bad of an experience for you but we know it won't be. Pack out the venue in Lawrenceburg. If you see the guy running around wild  that goes by Hard Rock Higdon tell him you heard about him and the show right here at BluegrassMMA.com. Also if you go search out a guy by the name of Steve Barger. He won 2 tickets to the show from us and today is his 30th birthday.

We leave you with this.

You asked for them. Now you have them. Ticket winner announcement.

So all week we have been encouraging people to email us or message us on Twitter for a chance to win 2 tickets to Hard Rock MMA 32 in Lawrenceburg KY. We are happy to say that we got a good response and are happy to put 2 people in the crowd. Who won? Well the wait is over.

Bluegrass MMA is proud to announce that Steve Barger of Lexington, KY. Now this is a big deal for us. We are grateful that we are able to be able to give away tickets but we are even more excited that Steve will be celebrating the big win on..wait for it..HIS BIRTHDAY. Thats right. Steve turns the big 3-0 the day of the big fight.

We called the winner and let him in on the big news. We were not suprised to find out that Steve is a big MMA fan but it was suprising to find out that he is no stranger to a Cage Fight. Steve travels a couple times a month to the hills of Eastern Kentucky to get some training in at Hazard Martial Arts in Perry County. He is a member of the Dogs of War fight team and has actually managed fighters in the Hard Rock Promotion. He himself has stepped into the cage for the XFC promotion and is looking to make an appearance in the near future.

We want to thank Hard Rock MMA and matchmaker extrordinaire Hard Rock Higdon for putting on this show and supporting the local fighers. I can tell you that there has been a ton of work put into this and it should not disappont anyone. Especially not Steve..he gets to go for free.

http://www.hardrockfight.com/

A quick thank you to all of our readers and supporters. We couldn't do this without you. We feed off of your energy. We truly appreciate it.

Stay tuned for HARD ROCK 32 ticket giveaway

Today we will be giving away 2 tickets to Hard Rock MMA 32 in Lawrenceburg, KY. We have had several people enter the drawing. Get your email or direct message to us by 6:00 PM today and we will announce the winner TONIGHT live on Twitter. Even if you don't win try to make it out and support local MMA and your local fighter this weekend.

http://www.hardrockfight.com

http://www.twitter.com/rockhigdon77

Calling All Bluegrass Fighters

We are making a concerted effort to promote Kentucky MMA promotions and Kentucky fighers. Unfortunately we don't know that many of you although we are getting in touch with several top fighters who showcase their talent in Kentucky. We are currently promoting Hard Rock MMA and Absolute Action MMA. So if your a figher with one of these organazations get up with us. We would love to profile you in a blog, plaster your name on Twitter and help you with your rise to fame. We don't discriminate though. If your at the gym shedding blood, sweat and tears day in and day out trying to make it let us know. Let us help you get your name out. We want to push Kentucky Mixed Martial Arts to the level that Las Vegas has. We want to be the best  MMA state in the country.

So thats what we want. At this point we don't know what we can do until you get up with us. Who knows, we could be escorting you to the Octagon for a championship fight in just a few years. Whatever your dream is we want to help you acheive it. We want to say we knew that guy before he was on the cover of all the magazines. Sky's the limit.

You can reach us by email at bluegrassmma@gmail.com or get with us at http://www.twitter.com/bluegrassmma

Bluegrass MMA and Host Will Mitch on Happy Hour

Dump and Dave want to thank Host Will Mitch for allowing us to talk shop and support what we are doing right here in KY. Here is a link to the show and be sure to follow Will on Twitter @willmitch3 and check out his awesome blog at http://www.sports4sport.com/.




Happy Hour 3/22/2011 - Sport City Chefs 2 Internet Radio Blog Talk Radio

Hardrock MMA's very own HARDROCK HIGDON!!

So as you all know we are pushing the local MMA scene full force here at Bluegrass MMA. We are privelleged to have gotten a chance to hear from Hard Rock MMA's very own Hard Rock Higdon. We appreciate the time from him and are thrilled to share with you. Be sure to check out the website. The fight is coming up quick and we want to put you in a chair. Email us at bluegrassmma@gmail.com for a chance to win. So here it is.. Be sure to follow @hardrockhigdon77 on Twitter and tell him we sent ya!

Give us the rundown on how Hardrock MMA came to be and the history of your promotion.

Hardrock Promotions LLC was started in Oct 2008 by myself and girlfriend at the time Vanessa Bohleber(who I married April 2009).  We ran our first event December 13th, 2008 in Elizabethtown, KY and this weekend March 26th will be our 32nd event. 

How did you first get involved with MMA? 

I started working for Jimbo Collins, Warrior MMA in January 2007.  I started out judging and fell in love with the sport.  I started training BJJ & MMA  and actually had my first fight in August 2007.  After a long 2 fight career.   I realized that I enjoyed the matchmaking side of things way more.  I have worked with a lot of great companies over the years including.  XFC out of Tampa(HD NET), Bellator, AFL, and tons of other more local companies.  
How has the sport evolved since your started and what is your vision for Hardrock.

Honestly man, Hardrock MMA is as big as we ever planned on getting now.  We wanted to be one of the bigger promotions in KY.  And everything has really fallen into place.  We have had 3 shows in 2011.  And they are 3 of the biggest events we've had to date.  So 2011 is looking to be a year of growth for our company.
 

How are you set up? Weightclasses, divisions, pro/ammateur fights?

We use the Unified Weight Classes, from Flyweight(125) up to Super Heavy(over 265).

We do Pro and Amateur fights.  I try to do 3 to 6 Pro fights per card.
Big show coming up March 26th in Lawrenceburg. Fill us in on the action of the night and what a fight can expect.

Man we have a huge card set up that night.  over 20 fights.  Including 3 pro fights and 4 ammy title fights.  I'm very excited about the Pro Main Event between Bellator Vet Josh Clark from 4 Seasons out of Lexington, Ky.  Taking on the Undefeated Pro Bobby Carter from Team Animal in Standford, Ky.  That fight is at 205, Josh Clark usually fights at Middleweight.  That fight really really has me excited.  It's a huge fight for Ky MMA. 
Do you want to give a shout out to any sponsors or key people that help make you guys tick.

Man everyone who works the events from the Cage Crew, the ticket table, security, just everyone man.  Everyone who helps out with the shows are really a big family we just all click together.  I get a lot of the credit most the time for successful events.  But I just do the fun part of putting the fights together.  All the others work hard.  My wife Vanessa does it all.  She does all of the advertising, including the footwork of hanging posters, she has helped put the cage up, worked the door, and if drama happens she can step in and work security.  Haha I just love the Hardrock MMA Family.


If there is a guy training out there and wants to get a fight with Hardrock who does he contact?
Thats me man hardrockmma@yahoo.com or give me a call or text, lol please text 2703077312 

Ticket Information?

http://www.hardrockfight.com/ add me on Twitter @rockhigdon77  you can buy tickets on our website.

We want to give back..to you

Its MMA Monday. Our Twitter is blowing up and we are getting excited for 2 big fights coming up. To show our dedication to local MMA here is what we want to offer you. 2 free tickets courtesy of BluegrassMMA.com. No strings attatched. All you need to do is email us at bluegrassmma@gmail.com. This Thursday we will purchase 2 tickets for Hard Rock MMA 32 in Lawrenceburg KY on March 26th and gladly pay the way for 2 of our followers to get in. Follow that up next week with 2 tickets to AAMMA XII - The Anniversary Show in Florence Kentucky April 2nd with the same offer. Unfortunately we can't make the HardRock Show due to prior commitments but we will be there April 2nd doing interviews and taking in some top notch local action..

So be sure to email us if you are interested. We want to put you in a seat to experience MMA at the local level. A night you won't forget...well until the next show blows your mind.

Be sure to follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/bluegrassmma for updates. Starting today we throw all our attention to promoting these shows

Coming Saturday to Lawrenceburg KY

http://hardrockfight.com

Look for more this week on the show and an interview with Hardrock Higdon. Big fight card and big time local MMA.

Jon "Bones" Jones and UFC 128

No bigger stage. No bigger performance. No bigger grimace? Jon Jones electrified the Prudential Center and put on a fight for the ages. He dismantled Shogun Rua at will. He took no damage and showcased his wide array of skills. Bones could have easily finished this fight in the first round. He was putting on an MMA clinic for what some people believe was a legend primed to defend his title and kill the hype machine of Jones. That didn't happen and Jon Jones became the youngest champion in UFC history. The fight was great. Jones was respectful in the win. Shogun was respectful in defeat. Then the mood changed and changed quickly. A quick camera shot away from everyone and there he stood. The number one contender, teammate and friend of Bones stood across the octagon with that smirk. Rashad Evans who in earlier weeks said he would never fight Jon was standing poised to change that and challenge Jones for the Light Heavyweight title. I felt the tension 1000 miles away. No smiles from Jon. Just business. It was his dream to be champ and he was going to live out his dream even if it meant fighting a friend and training partner. We shall see how this plays out.


In the co-main event Urijah Faber came out victorious in a less than exciting bout in the Bantamweight division. Wineland was my pick to win but there was just not enough action to allow him to get into his gameplan in the 2nd and 3rd round. Faber wins his UFC debut and calls out the champ Cruz in a semi-funny way.

Nate Marquardt wins his bout but Dan Miller showed alot of heart and got my respect. Jim Miller looked excellent in his win over Kamal Shalorus. Brendan Schaub may have ended the career of Mirko Cro Cop in a very good fight to kick the main card off.

Great show overall. Jones was the star of the night and is the future of UFC in the Light Heavyweight division.  That puts a wrap on it. Bluegrass MMA is switching gears and this week will focus on 2 upcoming local shows that we feel strongly about. Be sure to follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/bluegrassmma and stick around on the blog for profiles of Hard Rock MMA 32 and AAMMA's Anniversary show coming up in the next couple of weeks.