MMA: MECCA X UPDATE PLUS HUNTLEY, COLLINS, HERRERA

“Mecca X” presented by Driller Promotions is one day out and 60 fighters are preparing to weigh-in later today. Around 15 Muay Thai and 15 MMA bouts are set to begin on Saturday (September 9, 2017) at 1:30PM. Canterbury Park’s Expo Center will be the venue holding what should be another wall to wall packed show.

It was revealed last night that Billy Christianson had informed Driller that he would not be able to make weight today. Negotiations were attempted to find a catch weight and a purse amount to redistribute to Getzel from Christianson but nothing panned out, leaving Derek Getzel without a fight. Christianson said via social media today that it was to be his last fight, and announced his retirement from MMA this morning.

Jason Huntley

Getzel vs. Christianson was penciled in to be the co-featured MMA bout but remaining is the other all local featured match up of the evening. A clash of opposite styles but equally exciting bantamweights are set to meet in a professional bout when Ramsey, Minnesota’s Jason Huntley (4-5) collides with Chris Collins (2-0) of Two Harbors, Minnesota. Huntley isn’t afraid to stand and trade, but he is known for his high level ground game. Collins on the other hand utilizes all aspects of speedy and powerful striking when he competes. This will be a showdown you won’t want to miss.

“I’m expecting a track meet” said Huntley when asked to share his expectations. “The kid likes to hit and run. He also likes to hold on the bottom and wait for the judge to stand us up. I’m putting this kid on his back and the fight will end for him there. Cecil “stand em up” People’s won’t be our judge tomorrow night. He basically called me out awhile back in the sauna while I was cutting weight for another promotion. He was also in the sauna but helping one of his friends cut weight. I’m not sure if he meant it to be, but I felt it came off pretty disrespectful given the circumstances. So here we are.”

“I believe Huntley is a very good grappler and will be my

Chris Collins

toughest test so far in my career” said Collins when asked to discuss the fight. “I have nothing but respect for the guy. I know that I will have my hands full but I will give him his toughest fight and will put him away. I will show him I am here to fight and will hurt him no matter where the fight goes.”

On the amateur side of the MMA show, former Driller 185 pound middle weight amateur champion Thomas Herrera (9-4) of Austin, MN faces Minnesota’s Kaleb Dingman (2-0). With the title now vacant, the two will battle for the middle weight title in the featured amateur MMA bout of the night.

Thomas Herrera

“I am supremely confident going into this fight” said Herrera. “I have trained myself to become the best athlete I have ever been. Running 10+ miles a day, on top of numerous other forms of workouts such as CrossFit, my athleticism hasn’t ever been this well rounded. Training at 7th street MMA with my long time boxing coach, Rey Veraza has helped me critique my boxing and stand up game, and I feel I keep on getting better. Also spending time with the crew at Mario Roberto Jiu Jitsu academy in Rochester to help add on to the jiu jitsu portion of my tool box. I don’t know much on my opponent, other than he is very strong. I will not underestimate him though, and I’m expecting this fight to be the most exciting fight I’ve been in.”