KOKOMO, Ind. (WLFI) - Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has been one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. The sport has also grown its roots locally in the city of Kokomo. Colosseum Combat owner Mark Slater grew up in Kokomo and currently lives there.?
He has had a passion for his community and has helped bring in revenue for the city through hosting MMA fights at the Ivy Tech Kokomo Event and Conference Center.
"We are bringing in crowds of over a thousand regularly at each event. It brings in about $120,000 of revenue at each event and 12 events is over $1 million," said Slater.
The events that Slater and Colosseum Combat puts on allows fans from around the Kokomo area to visit the city and spend their money at local businesses. The shows also allow local fighters the opportunity to compete and grow their name in this rapidly growing sport.
"We have had three guys that have fought for us and their next fight was in the Ultimate Fighter house. So it has been somewhat of a springboard for these guys to get some good, sanctioned wins," Slater said.
Mike Eikenberry is a professional mixed martial artist, Kokomo native and an Ivy Tech student. All five of his professional fights have been for Colosseum Combat.
"I like to fight in front of my hometown, it means a lot to me. It makes me fight more and it makes me fight harder," said Eikenberry.
"I hate to lose in front of them."
However, this could all be taken away from Kokomo. Recently, Ivy Tech Chancellor Steve Daily made the decision to not allow Slater to host any more shows in Ivy Tech's Building.?
Sports 18 contacted Daily, but he refused to be interviewed on-camera and released this statement to us, clarifying why he made the decision to not allow Colosseum Combat in the Ivy Tech building anymore.
"The college received the facility about 16 months ago. We honored all contractual commitments already in place and have made a good faith effort to continue to serve as a community events center while the building is transitioned to meet our space needs. Events that have been using the facility multiple times and used multiple days each time are the events that are most likely going to conflict with the college's expanded use of the facility. The decision was made based on the current and future needs of the college."
Slater also added that at one of the recent shows, fans had caused minor damage to the building but it was fixed.
"They said that there was damage done to the walls. There was some scuffing where people would stand there and rest their foot against the wall. It happened one time at one event and they charged us $500 to repaint the entire wall, which I gladly paid," said Slater.
Mark is hoping that if this building can't be used as a home to their events, then hopefully another opportunity will arise to keep their promotion here in Kokomo.
"That's what I want, is for someone to give me some resolution and some sort of help so I can stay in my hometown. I can do shows anywhere," Slater said.
"Take MMA out of the equation and look at the money that this city, which is struggling, is going to lose."
Right now, Slater and Colosseum Combat are unsure if a new venue will open up, and if it doesn't it will force Slater to move his promotion to a new town, which is not what this hometown resident of Kokomo wants to do.
Source: http://www.wlfi.com/dpp/news/local/mixed-martial-arts-promotion-loses-home
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