Copyright 2009 Bfrank Photography

Anything worth having comes at a price. Right now it feels like I am late on payments, lol. This week has been rough. Last Saturday I was in my hometown of Diagonal visiting my mom and pop, but I thought I would get a morning workout and make the best of it. I jogged up to the high school and started doing sprints up a hill for five minutes, took a minute rest and then went to a monkey bar thing at the school playground and did five chin ups and ten push ups for five minutes. I then took another one minute break and then did ten box jumps on a wall about four feet up and ten burpees. It was tough, I was panting like a rabid dog. My dad was there with a timer and suggested I just do the sprints again and call it a day. No way, the harder you practice, the easier the fights. I did the whole workout again and cursed myself the whole time for fighting past the age of 35. Monday morning I did the same workout in my girlfriends hometown of Spencer Iowa. I am sure the family’s at the park I was at appreciated having a hairy nutjob on the verge of vomiting in their midst.

Tuesday I was off to the team DMEF training facility. I had to work late so I got there thirty minutes late but Danny Anderson, Chris Mickle and Mikey Van Meer stayed on to spar with me. We did boxing and these boys came after me. Mikey and Chris really like to bang, they swing for the fences and you better be prepared. Danny’s is less intense and more controlled, but his fists are like heat seeking missiles. And often times his targets are body shots. I hate that. lol. Mikey and Chris are on the same card as I am of course and they have been putting in some serious training time. I would do one round of five minutes with one of these guys and then rest for a minute or less and then a new guy would jump in. As I start to gas, these guys will pick up the intensity and try to light a fire under my butt. I gassed rather quickly, maybe it was the rough workouts over the weekend, maybe it was the intensity or maybe I am just too old. I think I ended up doin around 4-5 rounds. Not good.

Wednesday I went to Spartan Strength (www.spartan-strength.com) and Fitness and endured a grueling session of more kettlebell stuff and other arduous tortures. For the life of me, I cant recall what we all did. Maybe I have been traumatized!  Or as some of you may be thinking, ‘he is goin senile’. I assure you, I am not goin senile, Im just a little punchy.

Thursday I made it too DMEF again and we did kickboxing with takedowns. Danny worked me over for several rounds as usual. We also have a new guy named Peyton that is somewhere around 6’5 and 220, he jumped in and slugged it out with me for a round or two as well.  After several rounds of this treatment, I finished with a round of pad work with Danny. Our padwork consists of constant movement, punches, kicks, elbows, knees and other stuff. Much of it I picked up in Thailand when I trained there in 2005. Many people are surprised when I tell them I have trained Muy Thai in Thailand as I usually don’t use it when I fight. I figure I gotta go to work Monday and so does my opponent, why be brutal if I can finish it with a nice submission? If I finish it quick maybe I wont mess up my hair either!

Friday I made it to Spartan Strength (www.spartan-strength.com) again. Nick Rouse, the trainer/owner, made us do body weight workouts and said it would be an easy night. HA!  Five rounds of constant versions of squats, lunges, chinups, pullups, turkish get ups and other devious stuff. I sweat so much I think I could drink the Raccoon river dry and still be dehydrated. The saying goes the more you sweat in practice the less you bleed in battle. At this rate I shouldnt even suffer a scratch in this next fight!

Saturday morning I fought my way through the Dam to Dam traffic to Chris Davids Iowa BJJ Academy. Here we do MMA sparring in a cage with shin pads and Shooto gloves. It’s a murderers row of fighters. We do five minute rounds with one minute rest, a new guy in on each round for those preparing for fights. My turn comes up and I do my three rounds in a row.  It wasn’t pretty. I got a knot/bruise on my left temple from a right hook blast from Joe Brammer. My left shoulder is tender now after another fighter flips me to the ground. It seems no one respects their elders anymore! After my rounds are over I crawl out of the cage and contemplate what  lung transplant would cost. Eventually I make it back into the cage for 2-3 more rounds and work techniques with these guys. I have been doing cage fighting before many of these guys were even teenagers, but I am still learning. You can never learn enough. I appreciate it fellas,…. thanks for the beatings as well.

It’s Sunday, and the only workout I really have planned today is a flag football game. My girlfriend has threatened to expand on my honey-do list since I commented on it last week, but maybe I can get a chance to recuperate anyway. I have been getting some nice responses from you readers and some questions as well. I will try to get to some of the questions as I can. I was asked how I got the name Warfrog.  Believe it or not, many years ago I used to be able to dunk a basketball. I was 5’7 and could really hop so I got the nickname of Frog. Pretty original huh? Well, as I started fighting, some of my drinking buddies decided I needed a good fighting nickname. I offered the Diagonal Dragon. Rejected. I offered the Ringold Ruffian (my hometown is in Ringold county).  I was told I had no say in picking my own nickname. I look back and I am kinda of glad about that!  My buddies said I just couldn’t be announced as Ronnie ‘Frog’ Britt, who would be scared of that?  Someone jokingly mentioned Battlefrog or Warfrog and we all laughed. Well, that’s all it took, they started calling me Warfrog. I didn’t like it. But it has grew on me and now I accept it and like it a lot. It fits me. I am not an intimidating guy, I don’t have that innate aggressiveness many fighters do. I am kind of goofy, affable and playful.  These are not the qualities you really want if you are a cage fighter by the way, lol.  I wish I could be a savage beast when I get into the cage, but I am not. Some of these guys I have seen, I wonder if their mom hugged them enough! One of you readers mentioned that I seem to be a different person in the cage, but I don’t think so really. I am just focused and intense as you can imagine of course. Its a fight after all.  I am sure I will look across the cage at my opponent on the 26th of June and smile like I always have.  One last time.

That’s it for this week, keep the questions coming. Next week I will go over more training stuff, diet and etc. I will also give thoughts on my last fight.

Till then, don’t croak.

Warfrog

Most of the guys were pretty cool guys to hang out with, let alone choking and punching them. Our little group eventually grew as we continued to ask (beg) people to train with us. Guys like Brett Feeley, Chris David and Lance Hood soon joined in with the training as well. About 6-7 mnths after getting our core group going, we found out that a place called Toad Holler was putting on amateur MMA fights in a boxing ring. Chris Bott and I went on the 2nd or 3rd week of the fights and we liked what we saw, this was right up our alley. Most of the guys that fought were brawlers, wrestlers and other assorted tough guys. I didn’t see very many submissions, but I saw alot of really tough hombres. Some of our guys did get in there and test their mettle. I prefer to do MMA fighting in a cage so I just did submission matches there. But what this did was acquaint us with other fellow MMA fans….and other potential guys to train with. It got our names out there and got the DMEF name out there a bit. Soon we had all kinds of people coming to train. We added guys that became regulars like Mikey Van Meer, Chris Mickle, Ian Tice, Dillon Kepner, Doug Owens and Jeff Carstens. I used to take a Polaroid of many of the guys (and gals) and put them on the wall, my collection was up to about 80 or so. I figure I got pictures of about a third of the people that came down to train. Many of the names that passed through the basement sessions of DMEF either briefly or after a period of training became UFC fighters, names like: Josh Neer, John Halverson, Kevin Burns, James Giboo . Others were already UFC vets, like Tyrone Roberts and a few other Miletich guys whose names escape me now. Local fighting celebrities like Victor Moreno, Joe Brammer, Vern Jefferson, and Gino Hildreth to name a few have spent a little time with DMEF in the early days. There just wasn’t too many places to train in the beginning. Chris David and Anthony Porcelli eventually opened up their own places. Now there are quite a few places and new teams all over the place.

When I think back to those training days, I often times recall the great friendships I have built and the great people I have come to know. You cant hardly sweat, bleed and go to war with somebody without building a bond or really getting to know them. I have seen guys come in knowing nothing about fighting really to becoming a champion somewhere. Its a great feeling to know you have been part of that. Its not without sacrifice. I have seen one of our guys get staph infection so bad, he died three times on the operating table and eventually give up training. I cant tell you how much blood I have had to clean up off the mats or how many concussions there have been. There have been broken orbital sockets, broken fingers, broken noses and broken teeth. I had my nose broken three times in a six month period, three broken fingers and several broken toes. Mikey Van Meer KO’d me once with a kick to the neck while sparring, which knocked out my mouthpiece so that when I slammed into the floor, I broke three teeth. I had a pro MMA fight with Wes White that went 15 seconds, but I had to go to the emergency room the next day for a busted rib and the subsequent swelling which caused my lung to be compressed. I have torn numerous ligaments, I even once separated my hand from my wrist, let me tell you, that hurt! But if you love something or have a real passion for something, you take the bad with the good. I have had far more good with MMA than bad of course, or other wise I wouldn’t be doing it!

What I am doing right now is training for my last fight. After a hard day of work, my schedule goes like this; Mondays I go to Spartan Strength and Performance in Clive and endure the rigors of trainer Nick Rouse. I am convinced he is former CIA and thinks I am a Taliban in need of torture worse than waterboarding. Tuesday mornings its three miles of sprints in the morning and then at night I go to DMEF and spar with Danny Anderson and the gang. If iron sharpens iron, I wonder what it does to tin foil? That’s how I feel sometimes, lol. Wednesday its back to Spartan to see what wickedness Nick has in store. Its usually kettle bells, squats and tire flipping! Thursday morning its more sprinting and then its back to DMEF after work, usually I work on my boxing and submissions while there. Friday I drag myself back to Spartan because I might have a muscle that hasn’t cramped up yet and I don’t want it to feel left out. Saturday I head to Des Moines Jui Jitsu Academy and do some MMA training in the cage there. The beatings I take there…those guys don’t respect their elders very much I will tell you that right now! Sundays I will get in some training at DMEF or wherever I can….mostly Sundays are to catch up on my honeydew list. That’s more demanding and tiring than anything! When my schedule allows I make it to Roundkick Gym as well to get into the HIT class headed by Pete Petersen, he is a Marine (once a Marine, always a Marine) if that tells ya anything. On top of that I try to eat right and cut out the alcohol. By the time the fight rolls around, I should be ready to go. If anything, I will take out my anger about not having any beer and having to eat vegetables out on my opponent. After the fight, hopefully all he saw was a hairball and that was it, lights out.

OK, next week I will have some stories from the fights and training to make you laugh. I will also answer some of the questions people have posted for me and emailed me as well.

Till then, don’t croak!

The Warfrog

At MCC 20, Erik Koch literally ran through the competition in a four man tournament which crowned him the number one contender to the title. Immediately following his win he accepted the challenge to take on “Mad Dog”.  Mickle, who recently competed in front of millions on national television at the UFC’s sister promotion, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), is excited to accept the challenge that the 20 year old phenom has laid out.  “Erik Koch truly is the complete package for an up and coming fighter,” stated MCC co-owner Ryan Hass, adding, “people need to come watch this kid fight live, because I have a feeling he will be making it to the big show very, very soon!”  Featherweight champion, Chris Mickle has been involved in some of the most epic battles inside the MCC cage, and this fight should be nothing less that highlight worthy.

A true display of class both inside and outside the cage, Ronnie “Warfrog” Britt has announced his upcoming retirement following one last fight at MCC 21.  “Warfrog” has never backed down from a challenge and throughout his entire career has been a true inspiration to every person he has come in contact with.  Spawning the careers of UFC veteran and MCC co-owner John “Hurricane” Halverson, WEC veteran and MCC champion Chris “Mad Dog” Mickle, and countless others, Ronnie has become both a fighter and fan favorite. We, at MCC appreciate everything Britt has given to us, the fans, and the sport.  When he steps in the cage at MCC 21, Britt promises to go out with a bang.  Come watch the legend in his last battle!  Britt has started a weekly blog in the press section of www.MidwestCageChampionship.com, that shares his background and his day to day training leading up to his fight. Check the site each week as he will be posting frequently.

Also on the card, Mike “Mini Van” Van Meer, TJ “The Spider” O’Brien, Elvis “The King” Mutapcic, Will Shutt, Josh “Bobby” Henry, Troy Cline, Thomas Lopez and many more.  With eleven exciting mixed martial arts bouts, this is the show you don’t want to miss.  Tickets start at $25.00 and are available on-line at www.MidwestCageChampionship.com through Dahls Tickets, 1-866-55-DAHLS, or by calling 515-229-8566.  Visit www.MidwestCageChampionship.com for more details.  Friday, June 26, MCC 21 Mickle vs Koch.  Doors open at 6:30 with the opening fight at 7:30.  The hottest action this Summer is at Midwest Cage Championship.

“If it ain’t MCC, it ain’t real”

My name is Ronnie Britt, and I am a pro mma fighter. You may also know me as the Warfrog……a lil bit about myself. I grew up in Diagonal Iowa, a town in the southwest corner of our state. If you have never heard of it, that’s understandable.  Its a small town. The population is around 200-300 people. Heck, I had 11 people in my graduating class ( I didn’t even make the top ten!). Diagonal was too small to have a wrestling program, football team or many other fun things for an energetic kid to spend his extra time on.  So I spent a lot of time doin some backyard boxing and imitating pro wrestling but doing it for real. Just like we saw on tv, we did this ‘wrestling’ in a makeshift ring in the yard.  Headbutts, chokes and submission moves. Things like the boston crab really do hurt, let alone being headbutted. Lol.  But little did I know this activity was laying the foundation for MMA in the future. Me and a rather large friend named Elmo would go to the river, find a sand barge and play a game called ‘Tap out’. It was anything goes and you could even hold the other guy under water. All you had to do was tap out or yell “I squat to pee” to signify you had enough. This was 1981 folks, way ahead of the UFC. It also probably accounts for half the pain I feel now and days too!

The years following I found myself in college at Peru State College in Nebraska (graduated with a B.S. in history in 1996). I walked on and made the football team despite never playing in high school. I had to watch the other guys in the locker room to figure out how to put on my pads!  I ended up playin corner and became a defensive captain later on.  It was during this time one of my teammates brought me a tape with the fist UFC on it. I watched Royce Gracie in awe, his style of fighting just made complete since to me.  Shortly after I founded a small grappling club and trained with my fellow football teammates, several wrestlers and other martial arts enthusiasts. We shared techniques and gleamed stuff off other UFC’s as best as we could.  After graduating college in 1996, I moved to Des Moines. I tried high and low to find a dojo to train this Ultimate Fighting style, all these supposed masters looked at me as if I was a crazy assed hick, which I was.  I eventually got my own mats and trained with fellow coworkers and other unfortunate souls who came into my circle.

I found out about an event called the Midwest Regional Shootfighting Championship and made a call. I talked to Monte Cox himself and he said I should participate. At first I was hesitant, seeing as how the event was just3 days away, but I had been training with my coworkers and other assorted toughs, so I figured I was more than ready. Ha! little did I know. I shaved my head,  grew my best goatee and tried to look as mean as possible. I fought in the 195 and under class I think. Now I would be lying to you if I said I wasn’t scared the first time I stepped in the cage. The moment I got in the cage, I told myself I would never do it again. I was sure the socially maladjusted maniac across from me had developed his muscularity in prison and I was going to be humiliated in public. Or worse. As it was, I lost six minutes or so into the 10 minute round by referee stoppage. It was an eye opening experience. It was hard on my ego, I thought i was a somewhat well rounded fighter and could handle myself if need be. I was humbled.  I decided I wasn’t goin to fight again unless I found a real team of fellow wannabe fighters.  It took a couple of years, but I found the The Des Moines Extreme Fight team, all two members. Lol.  It was the first real place to train with guys who have actually fought. In later blogs I will go into those early days of training in better detail. A few of the names that passed through DMEF will be recognized as they eventually became UFC veterans and others wont be but they were amongst the toughest of them all.

But fighting isn’t all I have been doing. It doesn’t pay the bills. For my nine to five activities I have done a variety of jobs here in Des Moines. I have worked with a company that deals with several states and set up intoxalock devices, I have been an insurance agent, an office drone and I am currently a truck driver. I have an 8 yr old daughter named Cheyenne that lives is San Francisco and I fly out to see her as often as I can. I currently live with my girlfriend Keri and her two kids and they keep me pretty busy as well.

For the next few weeks I will be letting you in on my mindset and preparation for my upcoming fight with the MCC in June. It will be my last fight.  Now the subject today, you may ask, ‘Why are you quitting? Why not fight some more?’. My first answer to you would be that I am getting old! I turned 44 in March and i have been cage fighting for 11 yrs now. Most days my body holds up pretty good and I feel I can fight till I am 50. Other days, every bone and joint in my body aches and hurts, and its a chore to get out of bed. Never mind that my reflexes have dulled and my stamina doesn’t hold up like it used to when I was in my 20′s or even my 30′s. There comes a time in every athletes life when you have to come to grips that you are no longer capable of being a top competitor.  I went through this with competitive football, it was hard to walk away from something I had been doing since I was 8. This sport is demanding and highly competitive and if you are not on the way up, you are on the way down. Folks, I am on the way down. I don’t want to be some young upcoming fighters stepping stone to the title. OK, maybe I already have been, lol.

I also dedicate a lot of my time to fighting and training.  This means the more time I spend at the gym, the less time I get to spend with my loved ones and family. I have sacrificed numerous things for the sake of being a pro fighter, I just don’t want to do it anymore. I want to be able to eat a dozen donuts if a fellow employee brings them to work. I want to have whiskey or a beer when an old friend drops by. I want to take off on the weekend to visit my kinfolk back home. I want to hit that bed and breakfast in Minnesota with my chick anytime she wants. You get my drift I hope. Oh, I will still be involved with fighting in some way I am sure, just not in the cage with my love handles hanging out for all to see. I will be moving on to something a little easier on the body, something like bull riding.  Just kiddin.

Next week I will discuss the early days of training here in Des Moines and some of the characters I have encountered among other things. Over the next few weeks leading to the fight I will also go into detail on my training regiment and what I am doing each day.  I will also discuss some of the training I have done in the past and some of my other fights too.

Till then, don’t croak!
The Warfrog.

Des Moines, IA- April 13, 2009- Midwest Cage Championship, announced today the addition of a Sports Performance Specialist to its corporate staff. Dr. Brett McDonough, founder of Maxized Life Chiropractic Center in Johnston, IA will coordinate as well as advise MCC athletes on matters related to wellness, structural integrity, conditioning, nutrition and hydration, injury prevention, and recovery.

Dr. McDonough gained his initial experience in sports performance working with many elite, professional athletes as part of internship programs with the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins while attending Northwestern Chiropractic College in Bloomington, MN. His specific interest in combat sports came as a result of wrestling throughout his four years at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA, where he graduated with a degree in Biology.

“We are thrilled to provide the benefits to our fighters that accompany the addition of Dr. Brett to our staff”, commented MCC. “The continual growth and acceptance of mixed martial arts (MMA) as a mainstream sport is dependent on raising professionalism in all aspects, and today’s announcement is a significant advancement.” While larger, national MMA organizations may have dedicated sports performance staff, MCC is among the first to do so at the regional level.

In addition to a successful private practice, Dr. McDonough has taught and lectured at numerous corporations, universities, community events, and organizations. ” I’ve always believed education, empowerment, and improvement can work in concert to create better lives. Employing my personal commitment to community outreach, I will strive to enhance the lives and improve the performance of one of the fastest growing communities in sports, that being mixed martial arts,” Dr. McDonough put forward.

Dr. McDonough developed a unique evaluation process for MCC fighters, incorporating all aspects of training, competition, and recovery. He will advise fighters, as well as trainers, through one on one consultation and the development of a series of seminars. As a member of MCC staff, Dr. McDonough will also participate in professional associations, community endeavors, and regulatory and legislative monitoring efforts as they relate to MCC and MMA as a whole.

Complete details on Dr. Brett McDonough and Maximized Life can be found at:

http://www.maxlifeiowa.com/home

Tom Ahrens goes against UFC vet Ryan Roberts and Will Shutt and Josh Atwell come together in a rubber match to settle the score. The winners of those matches meet again that night in a featherweight tournament that will unquestionably determine the dominant man that night. “Tournaments like this were more prevalent earlier in the evolution of MMA, when there weren’t as many qualified competitors as there are today,” provided MCC matchmaker Ryan Hass. ” It’s great to employ an element that has contributed so much to creating incredible fighters. As conditioned as pro MMA fighters have become, it’s hard to imagine what it takes to compete twice in one night. The fans had better be prepared as well. This is going to be one wild ride,” Hass completed.

In total, fans will see ten action packed bouts including Jesse Lund vs. Chad Vance, Mike “Mini Van” Van Meer vs. Jake Pudenz, and fights featuring Miguel “El Ray” Rios, Shawn McDermott, Mike Miller, and Alivonta Turner.

MCC 20: Last Man Standing, comes fast on the heels of the highly successful MCC 19: The Return, where Joe Brammer not only returned to MCC, he took home the belt. Fans at MCC 20 can look forward to the same giant video screen that debuted at MCC 19, as well as the wealth of products and services offered at the new MCC Merchandise Mall.

Tickets for MCC 20: Last Man Standing are on sale now and can be purchased at the Val Air box office, by phone at 223-6152, and on-line at http://www.midwestcagechampionship.com

Doors open at 6:30 PM, fights start promptly at 7:30 PM. Full details on Midwest Cage Championship, including complete results from MCC 19 can be found at http://www.midwestcagechampionship.com

Des Moines, IA- November 11, 2008- One of Des Moines finest and most talented ladies will be selected to participate in upcoming Midwest Cage Championship professional mixed martial arts (MMA) promotions beginning with MCC 17: Thanksgiving Throwdown. A competition will begin tomorrow Wednesday, November 12 during DMX Fight Night at Uncle Buck’s Party Bar at 1720 25th Street in West Des Moines. Final competition and judging will be held at the same location on Wednesday, November 19.

The competition provides a great way for contestants to display their personality, while having a fun time at one of Des Moines most popular venues and events. The contest winner will receive awards from MCC and many of their sponsors, as well as receiving exposure during the November 26 MCC event at the Val Air Ballroom and via a Mediacom broadcast. Current MCC ring girl Melanie Schreurs also holds the runner up title in Juice’s Hottest Reader Contest and is presently in the top 10 of the Lazer 103.3 Rock Girl competition.

Contestants will be provided free admission to Uncle Buck’s and must arrive by 8 PM. Required attire is a black top with denim skirt or shorts. All contestants must be 18 years of age or older. All inquires can be directed to dmxfightclub@aol.com or by phone at 515-229-8566.

Midwest Cage Championship is the largest MMA organization in Iowa and was named one of the top ten fastest growing fight companies in the nation by Elite Fighter magazine. Full details are available at http://www.midwestcagechampionship.com

A 30 second television spot for MCC 17: Thanksgiving Throwdown can be viewed at the following link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf18RICZPOQ

Des Moines, IA- October 7, 2008- Mixed martial arts (MMA) once again lights up the historic Val Air Ballroom on Wednesday, November 26. MCC 17: Thanksgiving Throwdown, is the third annual MCC event held on the eve of Thanksgiving. The special holiday show consistently showcases much of the top talent from throughout the year. This years show features two championship bouts, including one that will crown the vacant middleweight belt. The other title bout welcomes the return of current MCC light heavyweight champ, and WEC veteran, Chuck “The Reverend” Grigsby.

Grigsby’s preparation and WEC experience will come into play as he returns to MCC to defend his title against perhaps his greatest challenger to date. Grigsby faces Travis “Ironman” Fulton, a UFC vet credited with the most fights in mixed martial arts history. Fulton’s resume of 200 plus fights reads like a virtual who’s who of the sport, and a win by Grigsby would catapult him to center spotlight.

The evenings co-main event and middleweight title bout features undefeated prospect Zac Cummings vs. former MCC champ Mike “Mini Van” Van Meer. Cumings previously ripped through opponents like Victor Moreno and Danny Anderson in his quest for the coveted championship. Van Meer is a one man fight factory, and the match up of these two fine wrestlers combined with impressive stand and bang talents are sure to please the crowd.

Other top billed fights in the eleven bout card include Cole Jennett as he moves one step closer to a title shot when he takes on Chris Powers. Jennett’s recent loss to Mike Van Meer has fueled his competitive fire to win this bout. Jennett has expanded his training regimen and partners, and went on record stating “losing is not an option”. Powers has wins against both Brian Green and Doug Onstot and he appears unfazed by the challenge. The warrior who takes this match places himself in line for a title shot.

Fans will also line up to see proven performers including Paul “The Gingabread Man” Bird, Josh “The Bull Christensen, Jesse Lund, and Ryan Langmaid.

Door open at 6:30 PM, with fights starting promptly at 7:30 PM. Tickets go on sale Friday and can be purchased at the Val Air box office, by calling 515-223-6152, and on-line at http://www.midwestcagechampionship.com and at http://www.tickemaster.com

VIP tables can be purchased by calling 515-229-8566

Vern Jefferson claims to have sustained a significant injury during training and does not meet State medical requirements in order to fight. “While this fight will be missed, fans will enjoy a solid fight card with ten other great fights,” offered MCC matchmaker Ryan Hass. “In the fight game, these things happen, and safety is our main concern”, concluded Hass.

Fans will have an opportunity to see Halverson compete is a large, Las Vages based promotion in October. Halverson, a UFC vet, is no stranger to fighting for Las Vegas crowds and looks forward to fighting in the new, high visibility promotion. Details on that promotion will be announced soon.

Des Moines, IA- August 22, 2008- Three new companies have joined the ranks of sponsors for Iowa’s largest professional mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company. Midwest Cage Championship (MCC), based in Des Moines, announced the addition of Vitamin Water, Max Muscle, and Vantus Bank as sponsors. At the same time, the company announced a marketing agreement with the Iowa Barnstormers.

Today’s announcement increases the total number of MCC sponsors to seventeen. Other sponsors include Budweiser, Mediacom, Iowa Army National Guard, and HD-Net. Each sponsor participates in live events held in Des Moines approximately every six to eight weeks, and in televised broadcasts on Mediacom and highlight segments on HD-Nets Inside MMA program.

Vitamin Water is the leader in the enhanced water category and provides Vitamin Energy drinks that are free of artificial colors, sweeteners, and flavors. Vitamin Water is distributed nationwide by Coca-Cola and has experienced triple digit growth for five straight years. Vitamin Water is the official hydration product for MCC athletes, and Vitamin Energy product samples will be provided to fans attending MCC events. More information can be located at  http://www.glaceau.com

Max Muscle Sports Nutrition is renowned in the health and fitness industry for supplements they manufacture themselves. In operation since 1991, Max Muscle operates over 100 stores nationwide with plans to open 100 new stores in the next five years. The first store in the Des Moines market will open in September at 1300 NW 100^th Street in Clive. More information can be found at http://www.maxmuscledesmoines.com

Vantus Bank operates sixteen banking locations throughout Iowa and has been in continual operation since 1923. Formerly known as First Federal Bank, the name was changed to Vantus in 2007. The bank launched the Vantus Bank Fight Club, providing special offers to attendees of MCC events and financial products for MCC competitors, officials, and staff. More information can be found at http://www.vantusbank.com

Des Moines professional arena football team, the Iowa Barnstormers, will be promoted during MCC live events and on television. Attending fans will also have the chance to meet Barnstormers players as well the Stormchasers, their wildly popular cheerleaders. Contests and giveaways for free Barnstormers tickets will be promoted during the regular Barnstormers playing season. Additionally, MCC events will be promoted during Barnstormers games.

The next Midwest Cage Championship event is MCC 16: No Guts, No Glory ! The event will be held on Friday, September 12 at the 95/KGGO Bucs Arena in Urbandale, IA. Full details can be found at http://www/midwestcagechampionship.com