In the headliner, 43-year-old Gary Goodridge (23-20), an early UFC fighter and professional kickboxer who’s fought some of the biggest names in combat sports, takes on fellow super heavyweight Ron Sparks (5-0).
Additionally, in the co-headliner, “The Ultimate Fighter 7” cast member and top Cincinnati-based prospect Luke Zachrich (10-1) takes on Byron Sutton (5-0). The winner earns the MMA Big Show light heavyweight title.
Goodridge, who also competed in the once immensely popular (but now-defunct) Japanese-based PRIDE Fighting Championships, is in the twilight of his career and stuck in a five-fight losing skid. The former world arm-wrestling champion hasn’t competed professionally in 14 months.
Sparks, meanwhile, could earn the biggest win of his career. The Kentucky native won his first four fights — all via knockout — in an average time of 36 seconds. Most recently, he defeated journeyman Johnathan Ivey (28-40) via unanimous decision. A victory over Goodridge could get the 35-year-old noticed by the major organizations, including those in Japan, where fans love larger-than-life fighters.
However, the fighter who likely has the most riding on the line is Zachrich. Despite a solid showing on the UFC’s reality series, he wasn’t offered a contract by the world’s top promotion and is trying to work his way back.
Recently, he offered to replace injured Trevor Prangley and fight Robbie Lawler on the Dec. 19 Showtime-broadcast Strikeforce event.
“I told them I’d take the fight, but they never got back to me,” Zachrich said.
In fact, Zachrich was one of a handful of fighters who wanted the coveted TV spot. And though the submission specialist was arguably the most accomplished of the bunch, Strikeforce ultimately decided to scrap the fight altogether.
However, with Strikeforce looking to strengthen its 205-pound division, and with Zachrich already on the UFC’s radar, a victory over Sutton could get the four-year pro a major contract for 2010.
Sutton, though, is no pushover. However, he’s fairly new to the sport; he remarkably has fought 13 times (6-2 as amateur and 5-0 as a pro) in just 16 months. Zachrich undoubtedly is the most accomplished opponent for Sutton, whose five pro fights came in a 10-week span.
Tickets for “A New Dawn,” which range from $25 to $75, are available at www.mmabigshow.com.
Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to www.MMAjunkie.com.
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