Cage fighting comes to WNC Ag Center; event includes 12 scheduled MMA bouts and special guest ‘Suga’ Rashad Evans

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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This sounds like an awesome event. Press release here:

Black Eye Entertainment brings cage fighting, the most popular sport in the world, back to Asheville. Rise Of The Champion bell time is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 19 at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd. Fletcher, N.C. 28732. Black Eye Entertainment’s first event will feature 12 scheduled MMA bouts, including two championship matches.

The main event showcases Western North Carolina by featuring a local up-and-coming who is making a national splash. In the final bout of the evening, welterweight John “Buck Nasty” Buck squares off against undefeated Jiu Jitsu ace Frank Waszut. Buck (12-7), fighting out of Asheville, N.C. for Team Huskey, is a former Reynolds all american wrestler and all state football player. He faces stiff competition in Wazkut (5-0), a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Charleston, S.C. who has yet to taste defeat. This title bout will determine Black Eye Entertainment’s first ever champion.

Another highlight event of the evening features Jacob “The Brick” Allman (10-0) battling David Derby who brings to the cage an 8-4 record. Allman, a former all state wrestler from Central Cabarrus High School in Kannappolis, N.C. has not lost a single round in the sport of MMA. Jump starting his career by winning the Fight Lab amateur title and then turning pro with a unanimous decision over then undefeated Troy Dollar in Atlanta, G.A.; Allman has quickly become one of the hottest commodities in the sport.

Three other pro fights are scheduled. Locals Preston “Butch” Marks and Matt Covan will finally shine in front of their home crowds. Marks, a highly recognized black belt in Jiu Jitsu, runs an academy in Asheville and is sure to fire up the local crowd. Covan is the veteran of the evening’s featured fighters having benefitted from more than ten years of tutelage by local MMA legend Johnny Huskey. Covan (9-5) faces what could be the toughest fight of his career against Muay Thai expert Ronnie Rogers (8-4) who previously submitted Covan’s teammate by triangle in the first round.

Perhaps in the most entertaining bout of the night, local amateur welterweight, Vincent Alberico, with the home field advantage, fights for Black Eye’s first ever amateur title against tough standout Wes Evans from Myrtle Beach S.C. Both men share impressive records of 3-0.

Allen and Black Eye are pulling out all the stops to create a fun filled special event for area fans. Special guest and former UFC Champion “Suga” Rashad Evans will be in attendance. “We are so excited to have Rashad here in Asheville. All the fans have seen him fight on pay-per-view and now they can meet him in person.” said Allen. Rashad is to conduct a seminar the day before at WNC Barbell and then will be the guest of honor at the Feast With The Beast dinner hosted by Black Eye Entertainment’s official restaurant, Hickory Tavern. Feast With The Beast is open to all ages and includes dinner, autograph session, pictures and videos for $100.

Tickets for Rise Of The Champion are available now at blackeyepromotions.com, or by calling 1-877-MMA-TIXX (662-8499) and at the door the day of the event. General admission tickets are $25 in advance online or $30 at the door the day of the event. Fans wanting to be close to the action may buy reserved seats for $60, premium seats for $90 and VIP seats for $120.

For more information on Rise Of The Champion, Feast With The Beast or Black Eye Entertainment, contact Michael Allen at 828-215-1846 or [email protected]. Also visit blackeyepromotions.com, follow on Twitter @blackeyepros or become a fan on Facebook.