by Jacob Claffy 9.2.2010
Fans can expect even more fights, even more belts, and even more excitement for the same price.
And our new date gives everyone two weeks to recover from Labor Day Weekend before coming out to watch one of the best MMA shows in the Midwest!
Be sure to arrive early for a meeting and autograph session with UFC vet and former Pride champ Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva!
Tickets are still available here, but they are going fast.
Watch the Preview of HFL's September 11th Event
by Jacob Claffy 8.21.2010
Two Championship Belts on the Line at HFL's September 11th Event
by Jacob Claffy 8.13.2010
Up to the Challenge: Ken Porter vs Matt Saller
There was one man in Pete Saller's corner who was especially affected by the fight.
"When I was watching it, I was sitting there thinking, 'God this guy would be awesome to fight,'" Matt "The Ant" Saller told me after a training session at his gym, The House of Hard Knocks, in St. Louis.
Matt is Pete's younger sibling and one of his trainers. Naturally, he doesn't enjoy seeing his brother lose. "I teach my brother, so I feel he's a direct reflection of me, and I know my brother made some mistakes out there. I don't really want to say I want to avenge it, but I'm excited for the fight. I'm kind of the guy that's just like, 'Man I want to get in there and fight that guy.'"
Matt Saller fought in the main event the same night his brother lost, defeating his opponent and earning the 145 lb. belt. The Ant's next move was to drop a weight class and challenge The Sensation for his newly-won title.
But, as expected, the super-experienced Porter says he is ready for Matt. "I've been wrestling since I was 5," Ken noted. "His background is wrestling, and that's all he's got. I've seen his fights. I mean, he has a pretty good shot, but..."
When asked if he thinks Matt will have a chip on his shoulder, Ken replied, "Oh I already know that. Think about it, I just beat his brother."
But Ken, a true competitor, loves the pressure. He added, "It's going to make me better, and it will make him better. The harder he fights, the harder I'll have to fight."
If The Sensation pulls off the victory, it will be the first time Saller, who holds a record of 5-0, will lose an amateur MMA fight. For Matt, an ex-Marine who was deployed during the Battle of Fallujah, it's yet another challenge he will face head on.
As for fighting on September 11th, Matt, who has the word "freedom" tattoo'd across his chest, stated, "It's an honor. I'm so excited about it. I know a lot of Marines are going to come out and watch me. I'm excited. I'm part of the Marine Corps League down in Arnold. I'm going to try to get as many Marines to come support me as I can."
And even though Saller already has so many reasons to fight, Ken Porter wants to make sure he's challenging himself with nothing less than the best Matt Saller possible. As our interview concluded, Porter asserted, "I hope Matt Saller comes ready and conditioned."
And as far as Porter's championship belt is concerned? Saller remarked, "It will be nice to hang another one up."
Two Warriors Clash for Title: Javon Wright vs Josh Crouch
As Saller moves down in weight, the 145 lb. title will be on the line when ultra-talented Josh Crouch takes on Javon "Wolfman" Wright, who showed great resolve in his victory at ACFC: Crowning Champions.
Crouch and Wright match up extremely well, and fans can expect these two contenders to continually push the pace.
Josh is one of the most technical fighters in the HFL, with calculated striking and a very active Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu game in which he constantly looks for submissions.
The Wolfman showed incredible explosiveness and toughness in his last fight, appearing unfazed by hard slams and good shots, pulling off a TKO victory in the 2nd round.
