Scrapping Valley boys to men

WASILLA— Tuesday Night Fights draw in an eclectic group of spectators to watch an even more eclectic group of fighters exchange blows, Mixed Martial Arts style.

“I love getting down, honestly. I’ve always loved scrapping and I just love the competition of it,” seasoned MMA fighter, Tyler Milner said.

A series of new and seasoned fighters duked it out on a recent Tuesday at the Menard Sports Center, right after the voting booths down the hall cast their last ballot. It was election night and TNF founder and operator, Billy Christensen said that voting days usually snips away at their overall attendance but he was pleased with the turnout.

Somewhere between 50 and 75 people filled the astroturf area, circled around the ring. Christensen grabbed the microphone and thanked everyone for coming that evening and asked, “who voted?” A handful of hands shot up.

“Oh c’mon! I expected more of you to at least lie and say you did,” Christensen laughed.

During the introduction, Christensen asked the room to dedicate 10 solemn seconds to remember the life a veteran fighter, Kyle George, who died recently. The room fell as a TNF official rang the fighting bell 10 times in a row, sounding almost like a church bell.

“We’re going to miss his fighting and we’re going to miss him as a person,” Christensen said.

From casual fighters who just want to try it out to more passionate, competition driven athletes who enjoy the sport for its own sake, TNF is the only MMA arena in the Valley and it seems that someone walks away with something different each night.

Milner said that he was there to watch a handful of his friends fight. Several of his friends in the ring were fighting officially for the first time.

“I’m going all in for those guys,” Milner said.

Milner, 28 said that he’s won seven out of the 10 TNF matches he’s been in. He was 19 when he fought his first official MMA fight in Anchorage with the Alaska Fighting Championship. He said that he won that first fight and ever since, he’s been hooked.

“It’s pretty fun. Once you get a taste of it, it’s pretty hard to stop,” Milner said.

Milner isn’t currently fighting but he said that soon, he’s moving to back to Albuquerque, New Mexico to get back into MMA with the hopes of becoming the world champion one day. His plan to get there? He said it’s going to take “a lot of hard work and little bit of luck.”

According to Milner, there are plenty of good trainers in Alaska and places like TNF can be a good stepping stool, but ultimately, fighters who want to take it the big leagues need to fly south and not just for the winter.

“Anyone who wants to take it seriously has to leave Alaska… It took me leaving to realize that. I love this place but you [Alaska] gotta’ catch up,” Milner said.

Kilty “the Native” Gene entered the TNF ring for the first time, answering the call from the name pool. Gene won the bout against Ben “Capone” Sparrow after an intense series of grapples, slams, punches and kicks. He said that it went by so fast, scary fast, not knowing what his opponent has in store for him.

“I didn’t know what his intentions were. I thought maybe he was gonna’ kick me in the face,” Gene said.

Gene said that he grew up boxing with his dad as a mentor. He said that if this were a traditional boxing match, he would have won quicker, breaking less of a sweat.

“I would have cleaned him out easily,” Gene said.

Gene said that he couldn’t speak as an MMA fighter and he may might one more time MMA style but he isn’t sure yet. He said that he just wanted to try it out.

“I was just feeling scrappy,” Gene said.

After his name was called, Gene walked up to the ring garbed in a flannel shirt, traditional Alaskan Native garments, like his signature slippers handmade by his grandmother on his mother’s side and a furry hat, crediting that to his German/Scotch father’s side of the family. He shed his Alaskana outfit right before the fight and was quick to throw his furry hat, flannel and beaded mukluks after.

“It’s a humbling experience. It’s got spirit,” Gene said.

Milner congratulated his friend Gene. Gene said that Milner is another mentor in his life, showing him some MMA moves. Gene admired his friend’s atheism during the subsequent interview. He said that he was a great sparring partner and coach, speaking from a series of MMA victories under his belt.

“Tyler would’ve wasted anyone out there,” Gene said.

Sweat still dripping, Gene said that he was exhausted and keeping up the pace was one of the trickiest parts in the ring.

“It’s not boring, that’s for sure. There’s no time for pause,” Gene laughed.

Jacob ‘Mad Man’ McAnulty rocked the championship belt after winning the final showdown, pitted Archie ‘Flyin Hawaiian” Fultze. McAnulty said that his opponent showed a lot of spirit and he’s seen the same in many local athletes and the people in general.

“All these kids in the Valley- they’ve got heart. They’re always game,” Gene said. “I feel like you don’t get any more heart than the Valley.”

McAnulty, 22 graduated from Houston High School. He said that two of his teachers/coaches, Brian Cook and Bradley Drake were his role models. He said that despite having only two years of wrestling experience, he learned a lot on and off the mat, from athletic resilience to pep talk after pep talk for general advice.

“If I could have them as coaches today, I totally would,” McAnulty said.

He said that he won his first official MMA fight at TNF, taking the championship when he was 18. He said that since he’s started, he’s reigned as the best in the Valley, fighting 16 and losing two out here. He’s also fought five times in the AFC, winning five and losing two.

“I’ve always wanted to be fighter,” McAnulty said.

McAnulty said that win or lose, he just wants to try his best and put on a good show. Christensen put his arm around McAnulty and congratulated him.

“When he first started, he cleaned house. Pound for pound, it’s been really tough finding him competition ever since,” Christensen said.

Similar to Milner’s ambitions, McAnulty is also aiming to make a career out of MMA. He said that he currently has three corporate sponsors and wants to go all in on MMA fighting. He said that his finds fuel from his fans.

“I love the attention and putting on a show,” McAnulty said.

Milner graduated from Colony High School. He credited Fred McKenney as the best said that although he’s leaving Alaska, he will always remember where he grew up.

“I’m definitely an Alaskan boy,” Milner said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com