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Published June 17, 2008 07:08 pm - ‘Major success’ Good Hope-based gym successfully pulls off mixed martial arts event By Michael A. Cummings michaelc@cullmantimes.com Hundreds packed the Cullman Civic Center Saturday night for the most popular sporting event in town.
That evening, instead of coming to see one of the big three sports, the crowd was there to see something a little different. Over 60 fighters competed in mixed martial arts events, including four that were crowned champions for their weight class. The event, dubbed the Tournament of Champions, was promoted by Fear None MMA & Boxing, a local gym that aims to give kids a place to learn to fight while keeping them off the streets. Ray Echols, co-owner of the gym, said the event was a major success. “We had about 400 people show up,” said Echols, a former amateur boxing champion. “We had a great time, so everybody was pleased.” One reason Echols was so pleased was that all four weight class champions were from the area, including Cullman’s Harley Moon, who won the heavyweight division. And though he was happy to have fighters from all over Alabama — and some from as far away as California — Echols was excited that they got to see how the locals fight. “All four of the class winners were local,” said Echols. “But all the out-of-state guys and the Tuscaloosa and Birmingham guys all got beat.” Fear None had five entrants in the event. According to Echols, only one lost his fight. Fear None’s next event will be July 12 at the Cullman Civic Center. For the next event, Echols said he would enter the ring to fight Birmingham’s Sasuke Zapata, who is well known in MMA circles for his 21-1 record. “I’m going to train five days a week to prepare for it,” said Echols, whose record is 8-2. “He’s a real good fighter.” The pair also faced off in Fear None’s April event, which featured Butterbean’s return to the ring. The next event, which has been named “Clash of the Titans,” will again feature fighters from all over the state and beyond. But in the meantime, Echols is just enjoying the gym’s success. “We appreciate everyone coming out and making (Tournament of Champions) a success,” said Echols. “We’ll be having another one in a month and I hope everybody can make it out.” 
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