MMA Cage Fight Set for Saturday at Pavilion

The family that fights together, smites together.

Five sibling fighters, including the big sister will be competing Saturday at the Cage of Fury MMA event Saturday night at the Williamson County Pavilion.

The Marion Daily's Tom Kane took the photo on the left. Clockwise from the front, the five Holmes Family fighters are Detsonie Davis, 28 and 119 pounds; Zach Holmes, 15 and 145 pounds; Derrick Holmes, 23 and 155 pounds; Edward “Bubba” Holmes, 26 and 165 pounds; and Austin Holmes, 18 and 130 pounds.

Other local fighters on the fight card are Kenny Mayhall, Bill Irby and Robert “Bucky” Neal of Harrisburg; Darrell Coleman, Andrew Trammel and Steven Campbell of Marion; Dustin Bloodworth and Damian Jeffro of Herrin; Jason Hobbs of Desoto; Aaron Essary of Johnston City, Brian Sanders of McLeansboro, Jill Fickes of Carbondale and Hayeley Weintz of Christopher.

Saturday night’s fights start at 8 p.m. and doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets prices are $125, $75, $55, $45 and $25 and may be purchased at the Williamson County Pavilion, Bookworm in Carbondale or S&M Fitness in Harrisburg.

To place an order for tickets, or for more information, call the Williamson County Tourism Bureau at (618) 997-3690.

Lawmakers Set to Legalize Ultimate Fighting

Illinois lawmakers are considering a proposal to legalize Ultimate Fighting competitions in the state as well as increase regulations on mixed martial arts competitions such as the DragonsCage fights held at the Pavilion in April.

The Chicago Sun-Times has the story.

The bill has already passed the House by a large margin where it is co-sponsored by Southern Illinois Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg. Most of the region's representatives voted for the measure, but state Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, did not.

In the Senate the bill has passed committee and been amended. A floor vote is expected soon. If successful the bill will then go back to the House for final approval of the bill as amended.

The legislation is HB 1947.