Fighters Make Weight for Tonight's AFL Show in Kentucky

Originally posted by MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] on Mar 07, 2008 at 12:24 pm in
- News -

All 22 fighters taking part in tonight's American Fight League event -- including former UFC fighters Rory Singer, Dan Christison, Diego Saraiva and Junior Assuncao -- made weight during Thursday's official weigh-ins.

"AFL: ERRUPTION" takes place tonight at Rupp Arena, the home of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, in Lexington, Ky. And while the local forecast calls for up to a foot of snow, event organizers and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet tell MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the roads into and near the venue are being cleared regularly in anticipation of the show.

Tonight's 11-fight event includes three amateur and eight professional bouts. Saraiva (10-6-1), who last competed for the UFC in September during a loss to Jeremy Stephens, takes on Joe Ammerman (2-0) for the AFL's lightweight title in the night's main event.

Members of the Lexington-based Boys & Girls Club of the Bluegrass were special guests at Thursday's weigh-ins, which took place at the Lexington Hyatt Regency. Fighters signed autographs as AFL executives unveilved the organization's new lightweight belt.

"Honestly, you should have heard the gasps as we unveiled it," AFL director of public relations Sean McClure said. "Everyone has been calling -- Pat Miletich called -- to say how great it looks. We can't wait for everyone to see it tonight."

Also in action tonight is Rafael Assuncao (11-1), one of the world's top featherweight fighters. He'll take on Steve Sharp (4-3).

And like his brother, Rafael engaged in a pretty heated staredown with his opponent at the weigh-ins.

"Man, those guys are intense," McClure said.

Tonight's event will be filmed for possible future broadcast on HDNet, MyNetworkTV or another broadcast partner, according to McClure. Additionally, the organization has scheduled upcoming stops in Georgia, Texas and Florida, and plans are already underway for a future pay-per-view event.

Part of the AFL's mission is to give back to the community. A handful of charities, including Impact a Hero and other military-related nonprofits, will benefit from tonight's show. Additionally, servicemen and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan will be honored at tonight's event.

Doors to the event open at 7 p.m., and the first fight begins at 8 p.m.

Tonight's full card includes:

PROFESSIONAL BOUTS

Diego Saraiva vs. Joe Ammerman (for AFL lightweight championship)
Junior Assuncao vs. Steve Sharp
Rory Singer vs. Chilo Gonzalez
Dan Christison vs. John LeBlanc
Allen Browning vs. Dustin Walden
George Lockhart vs. T.J. Cook
Rafael Assuncao vs. Aaron Williams
Doug Lima vs. Cody Senseney
AMATEUR BOUTS

Brandon Yocum vs. Brian Keller (for AFL amateur middleweight championship)
Jason Jones vs. Josh Ball
Ryan Jones vs. Mike Baskis