Extreme Challenge 85 Tonight!
Extreme Challenge 85 at the Bismarck, N.D., Civic Center on
Saturday will be all about the beef - and fast action. Mixed
martial arts heavyweights Chris Tuchscherer and
Jimmy Ambriz (Pictures) know a little something about
finishing fights.
Tuchscherer, the undefeated Dakota Fighting Championships belt-holder makes sure he's not in the cage long. In his nine professional fights and five amateur bouts the champion has gone to decision once, seen one other fight make it to the second round and had one no contest. That's 13 wins, seven by knockout and three more by submission due to strikes.
Tuchscherer, a native of North Dakota, is a four-time All-American wrestler. He says what he learned on the collegiate mats have helped him transition into the world of mixed martial arts.
"I've always been a fast starter in the cage," Tuchscherer said. "My intensity allows me to come out fast and I get right to it. That's probably why so many of my fights end quickly. It's something I've always had, even in wrestling."
Ambiz is a former King of the Cage super-heavyweight champion. A fighter who once weighed more than 310 pounds, Ambriz is now competing in a division with a 265-pound ceiling. The Californian's record isn't as glossy as Tuchscherer's, but some of the blemishes on his 10-7 mark have come against the sport's elite, most notably UFC veterans Josh Barnett (Pictures), Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures), Justin Eilers (Pictures) and Dan Christison (Pictures).
Ambriz wins by punishing his opponent quickly, too. Six of his wins have come by strikes. But, the muscular "Titan" - as he's called - has shown ground skills as well, submitting three opponents.
"I expect a good fight," Ambriz said of the night's main event. "You know, he's trained hard and I've trained hard ... it should be a good one."
Tuchscherer sees his battle with Ambriz as a measuring stick for his progress as a fighter.
"I know I'll have my hometown fans behind me, which is great," Tuchscherer said. "I've trained very hard for this and I wanted a tough test to see where I stand with the best guys. Jimmy has fought a lot of the top guys, so this should give me an idea where I stand."
Regional mixed martial artists fill the card with Dominic Cook looking to keep his record perfect and Kyle Olsen (Kyle Olsen' class='LinkSilver'>Pictures) tries to add to his 25 professional wins. Also entering the cage are Eric Jenks (3-2) and Marshall Martin (6-3).
In a matchup MMA fans have been waiting for, Nat McIntyer faces Zach Wolff. McIntyer trains with UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk (Pictures) and has been featured on cable television's A&E. One of the best 135-pounders in the nation, McIntyer will have his hands full against Wolff who is tearing up the 135-pound weight class in Minnesota.
Aaron Praschak and BJ Lacy square off at 185 pounds. Wisconsin's Praschak lost to Bismarck native Jason Brilz last year in Bismarck and he's coming back to face the DFC middleweight champion Lacy, who fights out of Minneapolis. UFC names dot the event in more ways than one. "The Ultimate Fighter" cast member Noah Inhofer and UFC veteran Sherman Pendergarst add to a night filled with heavyweights and light-heavyweights. Plus, special appearances will be made by former UFC lightweight champion Jens "Lil Evil" Pulver -- a coach on Spike TV's "The Ultimate Fighter" -- and UFC and World Extreme Cagefighting's Brock Larson (Pictures) also will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for photos.
FIGHT CARD
Main Event: Jimmy Ambriz (Pictures) vs. Chris Tuchscherer
Main Card
Noah Inhofer vs. Ryan Stanek, 205
Sherman Pendergarst vs. Kyle Olson, Hwt.
Mike Radnov vs. Zak Jensen, Hwt.
Marshall Martin vs. Gabe Wallbridge, 155
Ethan Boyle vs. Dominic Cook, 205
Eric Pribble vs. Eric Jenks, 205
Zack Wolf vs. Nat McIntire, 135
BJ Lacy vs. Aaron Prashack, 185
Tuchscherer, the undefeated Dakota Fighting Championships belt-holder makes sure he's not in the cage long. In his nine professional fights and five amateur bouts the champion has gone to decision once, seen one other fight make it to the second round and had one no contest. That's 13 wins, seven by knockout and three more by submission due to strikes.
Tuchscherer, a native of North Dakota, is a four-time All-American wrestler. He says what he learned on the collegiate mats have helped him transition into the world of mixed martial arts.
"I've always been a fast starter in the cage," Tuchscherer said. "My intensity allows me to come out fast and I get right to it. That's probably why so many of my fights end quickly. It's something I've always had, even in wrestling."
Ambiz is a former King of the Cage super-heavyweight champion. A fighter who once weighed more than 310 pounds, Ambriz is now competing in a division with a 265-pound ceiling. The Californian's record isn't as glossy as Tuchscherer's, but some of the blemishes on his 10-7 mark have come against the sport's elite, most notably UFC veterans Josh Barnett (Pictures), Ricco Rodriguez (Pictures), Justin Eilers (Pictures) and Dan Christison (Pictures).
Ambriz wins by punishing his opponent quickly, too. Six of his wins have come by strikes. But, the muscular "Titan" - as he's called - has shown ground skills as well, submitting three opponents.
"I expect a good fight," Ambriz said of the night's main event. "You know, he's trained hard and I've trained hard ... it should be a good one."
Tuchscherer sees his battle with Ambriz as a measuring stick for his progress as a fighter.
"I know I'll have my hometown fans behind me, which is great," Tuchscherer said. "I've trained very hard for this and I wanted a tough test to see where I stand with the best guys. Jimmy has fought a lot of the top guys, so this should give me an idea where I stand."
Regional mixed martial artists fill the card with Dominic Cook looking to keep his record perfect and Kyle Olsen (Kyle Olsen' class='LinkSilver'>Pictures) tries to add to his 25 professional wins. Also entering the cage are Eric Jenks (3-2) and Marshall Martin (6-3).
In a matchup MMA fans have been waiting for, Nat McIntyer faces Zach Wolff. McIntyer trains with UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk (Pictures) and has been featured on cable television's A&E. One of the best 135-pounders in the nation, McIntyer will have his hands full against Wolff who is tearing up the 135-pound weight class in Minnesota.
Aaron Praschak and BJ Lacy square off at 185 pounds. Wisconsin's Praschak lost to Bismarck native Jason Brilz last year in Bismarck and he's coming back to face the DFC middleweight champion Lacy, who fights out of Minneapolis. UFC names dot the event in more ways than one. "The Ultimate Fighter" cast member Noah Inhofer and UFC veteran Sherman Pendergarst add to a night filled with heavyweights and light-heavyweights. Plus, special appearances will be made by former UFC lightweight champion Jens "Lil Evil" Pulver -- a coach on Spike TV's "The Ultimate Fighter" -- and UFC and World Extreme Cagefighting's Brock Larson (Pictures) also will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for photos.
FIGHT CARD
Main Event: Jimmy Ambriz (Pictures) vs. Chris Tuchscherer
Main Card
Noah Inhofer vs. Ryan Stanek, 205
Sherman Pendergarst vs. Kyle Olson, Hwt.
Mike Radnov vs. Zak Jensen, Hwt.
Marshall Martin vs. Gabe Wallbridge, 155
Ethan Boyle vs. Dominic Cook, 205
Eric Pribble vs. Eric Jenks, 205
Zack Wolf vs. Nat McIntire, 135
BJ Lacy vs. Aaron Prashack, 185
