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Davis involved in MMA in multiple ways
Fort Scott native LC Davis, who graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1999, is deeply involved in the growing sport of mixed martial arts (MMA).
Davis was profiled in the former Weekend Herald-Tribune publication several years ago as his fighting carer was just beginning. Now Davis has also become involved in training fighters and in promoting the sport.
Davis is working with BlacKOut Fighting Championships to promote Bourbon County Brawls III, which will be held at Memorial Hall on February 22. He said that 14 fights are on the card, which will begin at 6 p.m. that night.
"It's our third show," Davis said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon. "We're excited to be back. I've partnered up with BlacKOut Fighting Championships, which is owned by Dustin Spalding and Travis Courter.
"I've known Dusty through wrestling in high school. We graduated (high school) at the same time. He was a three-time state champ. We've always kept in touch and he started working out at my gym and putting on MMA shows."
Among the fighters participating will be Fort Scott native Joey Fulk, a 2003 graduate of FSHS. There will be some fighters from previous shows held in Fort Scott and Davis says many of the fighters on the card will be from southeast Kansas and southwest Nebraska.
"It will be a pro-am event," Davis said. "Our first show was an all-amateur event. The second show had three professional fights. This card will have a couple of pro fights as well as some local. I know we have three of four local guys. You'll see guys from Nevada, Pleasanton, Iola, Joplin. We want to have as many local fighters as we can."
It's also an event for all ages, Davis says. The organizers have been happy with the attendance and support the first two events here generated.
"The City of Fort Scott has stepped up a lot with the fire department and different people helping out setting it up and tearing it down, with security and all of the people who have stepped up to help," Davis said. "I want to thank all those people."
Several local sponsors help make the event possible. Sharky's will host a weigh-in of the fighers that will be open to the public on February 21 and will also provide the concessions at the event. Holmtown Pub will be the site of the after party immediately following the show. Other sponsors include Marsha's Great Plains Deli, Aunt Toadie's, D&J Glass, Shepherd Team Auto Plaza, NuGrille, and Shepherd Cattle Co.
Davis said that the first show in Fort Scott drew about 400 fans and the second brought in about 800.
"The crowds have been great," Davis said. "It's gotten better and better and hopefully, this time, we have even a better turnout. I'm thankful all the Fort Scott people have come out to support the event and a sport that I'm very passionate about and love. It's awesome to bring it to Fort Scott and give the fans something to enjoy."
Davis said Memorial Hall has been a great venue for BlacKOut, with its semicircle seating pattern and old-school arena feel.
"It's an awesome venue for MMA," Davis says. "There's not a bad seat in the house. All the general admission seats are in a big bowl. You can see down into the cage really well. Travis and Dusty do a really good job with the lighting. Larry Gazaway has been announcer for the first two events and will be our announcer for this event. We like to have a lot of local people involved."
More information about the event can be found at www.blackoutfc.com or at BlacKOut Fighting's Facebook page. Tickets are available through cagetix.com/bfc or by contacting Wendell Davis, LC's father, at (620) 223-4977. Going through the CageTix website allows buyers to select individual fighters they support with a cut of ticket sales going to those fighters.
Davis is also still fighting and has his first event for Bellator MMA coming up at the Kansas Star Casino south of Wichita on March 21. Davis, who has a 20-6 career record, will be fighting Tory Bogguess, who is 16-9. Davis says the main event of that card will be on Spike TV with preliminaries available on spike.com.
Davis recently signed a two-year contract with Bellator and fights roughly four times a year. He last fought in December. when the judges awarded his opponent, Ryan Roberts, a split decision in at Victory Fighting Championship 41 in Ralston, Neb. Davis had won his last four matches prior to this loss.
Davis also co-owns a gym in Leawood with Jason High, a UFC fighter, High-Davis Mixed Martial Arts.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't super busy all the time," Davis said. "I run the gym and I'm still fighting professionally. The next two years, hopefully, I'll be getting some national television coverage and winning fights with Bellator."
Davis takes about two or three months off between fights. He said he fought four times in 2013.
"I like to stay as active as possible," Davis said. "As long as I'm healthy and no injuries, I try to get right back into training and get another fight scheduled."
Wendell Davis also has tickets available for LC's fight for those interested in attending. Tickets are also available through the Bellator website at bellator.com/tickets.
Bourbon County Brawls III, Saturday, Feb. 22, Memorial Hall:
* --Tickets available at www.cagetix.com/bfc or from Wendell Davis at (620) 223-4977.
* -- BlacKOut Fighting Championships Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Blackoutfightingchampionship.
Bellator:
* --Website: www.bellator.com.
* -- Bellator Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA.
* -- Tickets available for LC Davis' fight at Kansas Star Casino March 21 from Wendell Davis (620) 223-4977 or www.bellator.com/tickets
High-Davis Mixed Martial Arts:
* --Website: www.highdavismma.com.
* -- High-Davis MMA Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/High-Davis-Mixed-Martial-Arts/174595092629677.