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With the phenomenal growth in fans and supporters of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) contests, there has been an upswing in the number and visibility of open, competitive martial arts events.

One organization that holds and ranks fighters is the Ultimate Martial Arts Championship, otherwise known as the UMC.

The UMC 20 league had an opportunity to be in the region recently thanks to a fight-night that took place at the White Bear Memorial Rink on the evening of Friday, Oct. 22.

With 10 fights lined up, the evening was promising an exciting time for many of the local residents who came out for the evening.

This was especially true for one young man from Carlyle, who happened to be one of the fighters.

Andrew Coffey had signed up for what was his first fight in the UMC, though due to his age, it wasn't necessarily what one might expect.

"It was really just a jujitsu match," Coffey said. "There is no striking in the league. You have to be 18 or older to do that."

While this was Coffey's first UMC fight, the scrappy young man had been in competition combat before, thanks to his many years (and now black belt) in karate.

Asked if his first taste of cage fighting had left an impression, Coffey thought for a moment before he responded.

"I don't really know I guess," Coffey said. "I had thought about it [MMA-style fighting,] but I'm really not sure just yet."

"I guess I still have a couple of years to think about it too."

That Coffey is thinking about the league at all is a testament to the young man's unquenchable optimism and go get 'em attitude.

Especially since Coffey had in fact lost his first-ever UMC bout.

"I went for his legs as soon as the bell rang, and took him down to the mat," Coffey said. "As I was trying to get him, he got a-hold of my leg and managed to flip me over and off him."

"I managed to get him reversed and pinned down again, and then he flipped me a second time," Coffey said. "It was at some point after that that he caught my arm and put me into an arm-bar."

"After that I had to tap out."

Asking Coffey what he might have learned at this past fight that will help him improve his fighting style, Coffey answered immediately.

"I leaned that when I go and stack a guy in an arm bar, don't sit up," Coffey said. "I have to keep my weight on him that is definitely what I learned."

"I think things went really well at first, and I credit a lot of that to my corner," Coffey said. "Scott Nicholson and Monte McNaughton, those two guys, they really helped me along."

Organized by White Bear First Nations resident Clarence Nokahoot, the UMC fight was the first of its kind to be held in the community.

More than 75 people came out to pack the stands on fight night to watch the 20 fighters battle it out.

Sponsorship for the event came from SIGA as well as The Bear Claw Casino.

The official results for the evening's fights are as follows.

Matt Zemlack over Aaron Shmyr - Unanimous Decision

Clay Belitski over Mike Forster - Submission Grappling

Martin Trondetta over Dave Routhier - Rear Naked Chokehold

Adam Yan over Julian Spence - Submission Grappling

Landon Powell over Desmond Johnson - Rear Naked Choke

Aaron Timpany over Andrew Coffee - Submission grappling move

Daniel Mark defeated Christian Hewett - Rear Naked Choke

Dan Gange over Luke Palmer - MMA Armlock

Marcus Tanner over Demetrius Seguin - Split Decision

Joey Schakowsky over Nelson Berard - Armlock

It is hoped that the area will host more fights in the future.