Mixed and Matched

Time was, this stuff was known generically as ultimate fighting, and it looked like a cross between boxing and a bar brawl. The main difference being that if this wiry Brazilian guy were to pin a barfly and issue a series of uppercuts to the poor bastard’s groin, it would be settled with a baseball bat and a call to the po-po. Instead, he was crowned champ. Ultimate, indeed!

These days, mixed martial arts is so hot, the sport may as well be falling from outer space; it lands next in Fort Lauderdale with a night of knees and knuckles called Warriors Collide II. Yes, it’s just a “When” shy of sounding like a Fox TV series, but according to the promoters – a local trio who go by Left Hook Productions LLC – it’s going to feature some of the up-and-coming young brawlers from SoFla, thumping on other up-and-comers (who will likely become down-and-outers, if they can’t duck and weave). The dozen-odd matches will culminate with an International Sport Kickboxing Association-sanctioned heavyweight title bout, between Chris DeCaro and Eric Rivera. See the Chuck Lidells of tomorrow get kicked in the headgear on Saturday at 6:15 p.m. at War Memorial Auditorium (800 NE Eighth St., Fort Lauderdale). Tickets are $20 to $45 and are available online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling 954-523-3309.
Sat., Sept. 8, 6 p.m.