Over 800 spectators gathered at the Frauenthal Theater in Muskegon Saturday night to watch the Mixed Martial Arts fighters fight each other to near death for a grand prize of $500 to the winner.

The cage combat MMA fights are usually held at the L.C. Walker Arena, but for the first time would be hosted at the Frauenthal just up the street. Though some people did not like this idea because the Frauenthal usually hosts Broadway shows and symphony orchestra concerts. Regardless, it was a mini-success in terms of a compared crowd at the LC for the same event and the crowd was respectful. All fights were kept in the cage.

Cage fighting is usually a combination of boxing, martial arts, and other forms of physical fighting without weapons where the winner is determined by wither a knockout, submission or if the clock runs out , then a referee’s decision. The fighters are contained in an octagon shaped metal cage during the fight.

Muskegon fighters Kevin Bleich and Josh Parker set the pace for the night, coming out of their corners swinging for a one-punch knockout. Both men withstood each others’ best blows for three rounds, with Parker winning by a judge’s decision.

Ravenna’s Chris Bourdon appeared to be in trouble for most of the first round of his fight against his Muskegon competitor, Terry Young. But then Bourdon surprised his opponent with an arm bar (armlock) that quickly subdued Young.

Bourdon’s win qualified him for a later match to determine the lightweight champion.

Three other championship belts were up for grabs Saturday night: middleweight, heavyweight and super heavyweight.

Some of the information herein comes from Mlive.com for completeness.