Super Fight League made its North American debut appearance in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday night. MMA Payout was there in person to take in the fights..
The promotion from India, in partnership with local promoter Brian Halquist Productions’ CageSport MMA ran the event at the Emerald Queen Casino south of Seattle, Washington. The card featured many local fighters with CageSport but the top of the card featured SFL fighters.
The evening started off inauspiciously as the first fight featuring Jesse Hardenbrook and Raven Guice ended in a no contest due to “equipment malfunction” as Hardenbrook pushed Guice into the cage which happened to be the cage door. The door was not secure and Guice fell through the cage onto the steps and on the concrete floor. Guice stayed on the floor for a while but eventually was helped up on his feet and was able to make it back into the cage. The match did not continue and the cage door was checked again and again through the night.
Despite the opening faux pas, the debut of Super Fight League in the U.S. was entertaining. The company’s founder, Raj Kundra was there in appearance and talked to the crowd before the last two fights of the evening. The two SFL fights featured title fights and fighters that were trained by UFC Heavyweight Josh Barnett. Barnett went 1-1 with his fighters in the co-main and main event of the nights. While the night included several local sponsors, including “Jail Sucks Bail Bonds,” the event also was sponsored by Fox Star Studios’ Indian movie Bang Bang!
More coverage on SFL 35 can be found at MMA Sucka.
Payout Perspective:
The local press for the event featured a Seattle Times live chat with Josh Barnett as well as radio ad buys which promoted the event. It was well-attended and production was very good for a regional promotion. SFL airing the card on its YouTube channel is good for people to see the product (unless, of course, fighters fall out of the cage), but the success of the company in North America will hinge on getting on television in the U.S. Although there is value in airing its fights online, if it is to succeed and expand in North America, it will have to gain traction on TV.
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