Three Haines residents traveled to Juneau last weekend to fight in the championship match of Alaska Beat Down, a Juneau-based fighting league.
Jaret Grant, Michael T. Ward and Bradley Wilson participated in the March 15 sold out competition at Centennial Hall, which featured about 10 matches. Ward competed in boxing, Wilson in dirty boxing and Grant in mixed martial arts (MMA). Ward and Grant won their bouts, while Wilson fell to his opponent.
Grant sparred with Charlie Gallant and triumphed for his first official win. Grant said that although he has always been into wrestling, there is no structured way for him to pursue it. MMA gives him an outlet to continue in that vein of wrestling, Grant said.
Though he returned with several bruises and scrapes marring his face, Grant said the experience only reinforced his desire to continue fighting. “It kind of hurts, and it sucks for a little while. No pain, no gain,” he said.
Grant said he and several others are trying to start a local fighting league, with the possibility of becoming a non-profit. They have been training at the Salvation Army Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and in the Chilkat Center when they can organize it.
Ward won against Tyrel Kleinsmith. Wilson lost to Perry Blair. Participants received $175 for winning and $100 for losing, Grant said.
Grant said he is intending to compete in the next Alaska Beat Down competition this summer.
Mixed martial arts is a sport that allows both striking and grappling techniques on and off the ground. “Basically, anything goes,” Grant said.