Des Moines, IA- December 15, 2008- Fast on the heels of their previous event, and perhaps the best MMA event in Iowa during 2008, Midwest Cage Championship (MCC) returns to the historic Val Air Ballroom on Friday, January 16 with MCC 18: O’ Brien vs. Mickle. Quickly becoming known as an unstoppable submission wizard, MCC Champion TJ O’Brien is matched against Iowa icon Chris Mickle during the nights main event and title fight.

Mickle is not only a veteran of the Iraq war, he has also logged multiple fights against UFC “Knockout of the Night” main man Jeremy Stephens, even taking home one victory. This time, with two tours of duty, Army combative experience, and a recent 25 second arm bar victory to his credit, Mickle is purely focused on adding the MCC title belt to the awards he’s earned as a member of the U.S. Army. TJ O’ Brien has proved one of the most versatile fighters in the Midwest, competing at both 145 and 155 pound weight classes. This time, Mickle makes the moves down a weight class to compete at 145 for the Featherweight title. Predictions of the outcome run wildly in a fight one expert termed “the old guard meets the new guard”.

Another greatly anticipated match-up pits Omaha’s Matt Delanoit with Team Hard Drive 9 wins, 1 loss gunner Steve Carl. This match, Carl’s first for MCC, will determine who goes on to face Bobby Voelker for the MCC Welterweight title belt. Delanoit is coming off a victory against Carl’s Team Hard Drive mate Tom Grubb, and Carl took this fight with much of the purpose to avenge his opponents win over his friend and teammate. Delanoit is well known and respected with MCC and in th Midwest. Carl has just signed a major management contract with a national company and has competed around the country.

Another one of the nights favorites among the ten total bouts comes via the rematch of Mike “Mini Van” Van Meer and Jason Louck. Many established fight fans will recall Van Meer taking the MCC belt from Louck. in 2006, and new fans will witness a throw down between two fighters with the some of the most heart in the fight game.

Tickets for MCC 18: O’Brien vs. Mickle will go on sale later this week. Tickets can be purchased at the Val Air Box Office, by phone at (515) 223-6152, and on-line at http://www.midwestcagechampionship.com

Friday, January 16th, 2009 @ Val Air Ballroom

Show / Hide Results

Light Weight Division
Daraughn Canada	VS	Chad Zurfluh
Feather Weight Division
Randy Knutsen	VS	Joe Trader
Light Weight Division
Chris Perez	VS	Tony Helm
Welter Weight Division
Carlos Newborn	VS	Miguel Rios
Feather Weight Division
Tom Ahrens	VS	Will Shutt
Light Weight Division
Colby Karadios	VS	Jake Brown
Middle Weight Division
Evan Marks	VS	Ronnie Britt
Middle Weight Division
Jason Louck	VS	Mike Van Meer
Welter Weight #1 Contender
Steve Carl	VS	Matt Delanoit
Feather Weight Championship
Chris Mickle	VS	TJ O’Brien