Carolina Fight Promotions held it's first event last night and it was also the first MMA event to be held in North Carolina since being banned after UFC 3 in Charlotte NC 14 years ago.
CFP founder Doug Muhle and Jason Culbreth were instrumental in lobbying the NC state legislature for over 2 years to get MMA legalized in NC again.
The whole show seemed to go off without a hitch after slightly late start to complete Dr's pre-fight exams. Every fight was good featuring local guys especially from one local camp Team Roc.
My wife and I arrived in the arena at 5:45 about 15 mins after doors opened. I waited too long and didn't get ringside seats so we got premium floor instead. We got to select a pretty nice pair of seats right against the fence that formed the aisle for the fighters.
It was great first show, the fighters really left it all in the cage and there weren't any pussies plus these guys had some real talent. All of that bodes well for future MMA events planned for Raleigh in May in terms of local fighter talent.
Also IFL Champ Tim Kennedy was there as well, I didn't get a chance for an autograph but I did get to slap hands with him as he came down the fighter isle towards the big screens behind us... very cool.
Next fight coming up on 5-24 is Ruckus In The Cage also at Dorton Arena. For that fight we got cage side seats and they are assigned unlike the CFP show last night and I should be able to get some great pics.
To see over 40 more pictures from last night visit my flickr page.
