Battle at the Beach

This weekend the city of Pontoon Beach will be holding its 1st Annual Party at the Beach. A two day community event that is free and open to the public. The festival will feature food & drinks, displays from local Fire and Police departments, vendor booths, carnival rides & other children activities, bands, and will be highlighted by a 12-fight amateur event hosted by CMMA.

CMMA head coach Steve Knogl has built a positive reputation for himself and his gym within the community, and was approached to organize and host the MMA portion of the event, dubbed "Battle at the Beach."

"We're trying to get rid of the stigma that goes with fighting," said Knogl. "People know when they come to our events it will be a fun, family-friendly event."

Weigh-ins will be Friday on the main stage at 5pm, with the band The Well Hungarians to perform immediately following.

Then on Saturday starting at 3:30, fighters will take to the cage. With twelve fights on the card, there will be plenty of action. Once the last bell rings, local favorites Dr. Zhivagas will perform.

The main event for the all-amateur card will feature undefeated Jake Dowdy from CMMA and fast-rising prospect Jesse Gerringer from Berger's MMA. Gerringer has been recovering from an injury and has looked sharp in limited action including a K1 battle with Jesse Farmer at the April Inner Circle Proving Grounds event. In June at Shamrock FC - Evolution, Dowdy stopped Timmy Tucker with an athletic display in which he leaped onto the back of his opponent and locked on a rear naked choke.

Several local gyms will be represented including fighters from Berger's MMA, I Fight Club from Alton, Field Warriors from Effingham, Pitbulls MMA from Peoria, IL, and of course members of the CMMA fight team.

Bout Management Federation will sanction the event.

Battle at the Beach fight card:
Jordan Dowdy vs Cody Leas
Kyle Klueaskens vs Tony Stanley
Dylan Pierson vs TBA
Corey Miller vs Chris Respress
Chris Mette vs Chris Causey
Brent Trobaugh vs Rusty Walters
Travon Crawford vs Zach Henderson
Wally Eiskant vs Corey Jones
Ryan Walker vs Ray Norris
Jason Dowdy vs Chad Ottwell
John Mcloughlin vs Ramin Warmbrodt
Jake Dowdy vs Jesse Gerringer - Main Event

Battle at the Beach
Saturday - August 25th - 3:30 PM
Pontoon Beach, IL