Sometimes, the best things in life really are free.

Banner Promotions, known primarily as a boxing promotional firm, is slated to deliver a free-admission event inside the spacious Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on June 20.

That's right -- the fight card is absolutely free to the public.

The event will host a mixed card of boxing and mixed martial arts, with the bulk of the billing to be aired live on ESPN's boxing series "Friday Night Fights." Set to clash are welterweight UFC veterans Pete Spratt (Pictures) (18-12) and John Alessio (Pictures) (22-11).

The main event of the televised boxing portion will feature a heavyweight attraction pitting Alonzo Butler against Friday Ahunanya.

"This is an idea from Daren Libonati, the president of the Thomas and Mack Center," Banner Promotions' Art Pelullo said from his office in Philadelphia. "I can't take any credit for this whatsoever; it was all Daren's idea. He knew we already had our ESPN boxing card scheduled for that date. He came up with the idea that considering this year marks the 20th anniversary of the Thomas & Mack, why not give something back to the fight fans and the community of Las Vegas and make this thing free?"

But why mix the two sports? The answer is quite easy, according to the promoter.

"This is a great opportunity for fans of both sports to come together and learn about the other's sport," Pellulo said. "This show is the perfect target for both audiences. MMA fans are typically in the 18-25 age bracket while boxing is usually the older crowd, something like 25-50 or 55.

"These two sports, while they are both combat sports, are actually not competitors," Pelullo continued. "It's quite possible for both MMA and boxing to live together peacefully and it's a chance for the hardcore boxing [fans] to learn about MMA and maybe they'll get [turned on] to it. Both sports can coexist and this is the perfect opportunity for one to help the other and vice versa."

Something like this has never happened before in the Silver State and all parties seem excited about the joint endeavor.

"It's going to be an awesome night of fights and to my knowledge, having boxing and MMA on the same card is historic," said Team Xtreme Couture Spokesman Sean O'Heir. "Banner Promotions is putting on the card and something like this has never been done before, at least not in Vegas. There have been boxing and Muay Thai cards and MMA and Muay Thai cards, but never a boxing-MMA one."

The burning question is how Banner Promotions will have the ability to pull off a free event and still be able to pay the fighters?

"Well, ESPN already had the site-fee paid for and their entire bid will take care of the boxers from the boxing portion of the event," Pelullo explained.

"All of the fighters will be paid: no ifs, ands or buts -- and I need to make that clear. The money is coming in through ESPN and our many sponsors for the night and all of the boxers from that aspect will be accounted for. As for the MMA fighters, HDNet is planning on showing the MMA portion of the card on their network on tape delay in the near future. That network will take care of the MMA fighters. Either way, everything is mapped out and every single fighter on the card, boxing and MMA, will get [their] check."

O'Heir explained that Libonati looks forward to having at least 7,500 people in attendance, and as long as they purchase the usual food and beverage concessions, they will at the bare minimum break even.

10,000 seats will initially be available for the public, with more space available if necessary.

"The event is absolutely free," added Pelullo. "But it's a first-come, first-serve basis and it's not general admission. Quite a few FM radio shows in Vegas will raffle off tickets and ESPN Radio will do the same. People can also get them on UNLVtickets.com but they can also just walk up to the venue and get them right there."

Also scheduled for the MMA portion of the event is Dennis Davis (Pictures) versus Dave Jansen (Pictures) at a catch weight of 150 lbs. as well as the pro debut of Kim "Sugar Free" Couture. The wife of UFC hall of famer Randy Couture (Pictures) is slated to face fellow MMA newcomer Kim Rose.

Xtreme Couture fighters Brice Ritani-Coe and Kui Gonsalves-Kanoho are also confirmed for the card.

Former UNLV boxing standout Henry Namauu will kickoff the bill at 5:30 p.m., while the televised portion of "Free for All, a Night of Combat" will commence at 6 p.m.