Mat-Su to host 4th AFC event

WASILLA — Local fight fans, get ready to get your fix.

Alaska Fighting Championship is hosting a full day of action Saturday at the Curtis D. Menard Sports Center in Wasilla.

Mat-Su Showdown 4, an AFC mixed martial arts event, will feature 10 bouts and an appearance by nationally recognized MMA fighter Ryan Bader, AFC promoter Sarah Johnston said.

Johnston said there’s plenty for Valley fans to be excited about. The fighters on Saturday’s card are almost exclusively from the Mat-Su Valley.

“It’s truly at Mat-Su fight card,” Johnston said. “It’s a big deal for the fighters to get to fight in front of their hometown fans.”

Wasilla’s Rod Pucak, who will face Chase Jensen in the middleweight class, is among the Valley fighters featured on the card. Mason Richards, another Wasilla fighter, will compete in the lightweight class.

Johnston said she expects the appearance of Bader to be a major draw for local fans.

“To have Ryan Bader is a big deal to any sort of mixed martial art fan,” Johnston said. “Just to have him in Wasilla is a big deal.”

Bader is an Ultimate Fighting Championships professional who appeared on Spike TV’s popular television show “The Ultimate Fighter.” Bader is 12-1 overall and has appeared in five UFC specials. He is slated to appear in UFC 132 to face Tito Ortiz. He’ll be available to sign autographs and visit with fans.

Action on the Mat-Su Showdown 4 fight card starts at 7:30 p.m., but AFC is also hosting the Alaska State Arm Wrestling Championships, which begin at noon at the Menard.

Johnston said the championships have been stuck in a decade-long hiatus, but at the urging of her father, AFC decided to bring the event back. Johnston said this will allow more people the opportunity to compete.

The championships will be divided into 10 classes, seven for men and three for women. Participants will be separated according to weight. Those interested can see alaskawrestlingchampionship.com/AFC/armwrestling.html or register in person until 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Mat-Su Showdown 4 is not a Ticketmaster event, but tickets can be purchased locally at outlets such as Krazy Moose Subs and A1 Pawn in Wasilla, and the Moosehead Saloon in Palmer.