AFC 75: Fallout: Several fighters look to burough their way into public awareness on Wednesday.

Showtime Entertainment: The upstart and unconventional promotion put on a scaled down, yet vastly improved night of fisticuffs on Friday

There is so much to talk about following Friday's super-exciting MMA event, I'm almost not up for it. There was easily enough important/interesting/awesome stuff that happened to fill half a dozen articles. Because I respect your intelligence and your time, I will condense it into one article, and let you sort out the bits that fascinate you.

World Tag-Team Champions: The Greatland Martial Arts fighters Derek Chalifour (left) and Cody Rice took the first ever tag-team mma title in a thrilling but controversy-laden bout.

Tag-Team MMA 2 delivered a high-intensity, incredibly entertaining card tonight. Breathless hyperbole would never do the spectacle proper justice. Suffice to say it was, quite simply, one of the most exciting nights of fights anywhere, ever.

This week, the Alaska MMA fight scene has more to choose from than Tim Sylvia has embarrassing upset losses. The following week is absolutely packed with exciting local cagefighting events. Like Virgil, I'm here to guide you through the inferno.

Friday, Sept. 10
Tag Team MMA 2: Fight for Freedom

Cops vs. Cons: The controversial MMA format will return in a week, but not as the marquee event

Tag Team MMA website

Jason Hutchings, the man who brought Anchorage a gimmick-filled, yet ultimately successful night of mixed martial arts action back in May, is promoting another event next week. Tag Team MMA III will take place on September 10th at the AT&T Center, the large multi-use dome off of Old Seward near O'Mally Road.

Jon Fitch was on hand at the State Fair last weekend, and was kind enough to answer some questions. Listen to his thoughts on GSP-Koscheck, Couture-Toney, and the role of local promotions in the larger MMA picture.

AFC 145 lb champion and UFC veteran Doug Evans' next fight will stream live, for free, on Sept. 11th.

Shark Fights, a Texas based promotion for which Evans is also the 145 lb champion, will air some of the nights fights via pay-per-view; but some fights, including Evans title defense against British challenger Ronnie Mann, will stream live at Sherdog.com.

Jon Fitch: (Above) and team mate Mike Swick will soon visit The Last Frontier

On August 28th, Alaskans will have the chance to rub elbows with UFC star Jon Fitch. Fitch will be on hand at the Alaska State Fair, at the AFC booth, signing autographs and meeting with fans.

Then, on Sept. 15th, at AFC 75, Fitch's teammate at American Kickboxing Academy Mike 'Quick' Swick will appear at the Sullivan Arena, to meet with fans and take pictures.

Alaskan expatriate Scott Jorgensen, who currently trains out of Boise, Idaho won a unanimous decision tonight against red-hot prospect Brad Pickett at WEC 50. The fight lasted for three thrilling rounds, where both fighters pushed the action with sharp strikes. It was ultimately Jorgensen's late takedowns which won him the bout.

Changing of the Guard: 'Naptime' Nic Herron-Webb poses with his new belt after winning the AFC welterweight championship. He is the youngest AFC champ in memory, at only 20 years old.

Call it changing the guard or passing the torch. The young overcame the old on August 11, as one of Alaska MMA's brightest rising stars defeated one of its elder statesmen.

AFC 74 provided an exercise in extremes, showcasing both beautifully executed submissions and sloppy barroom brawling. For every textbook armbar or sharp punching combination there was an equally frustrating failed choke or missed technique. The crowd enjoyed some of the most exciting and most boring action the AFC has ever provided. Even when the fighters were less then masterful, they still proved competitive...for the most part.

MAIN EVENT - WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT:

David Knight: The Lathrop grad ('93) will defend his championship belt against surging Nic Herron-Webb tonight!

Tonight, at the Sullivan Arena, Nic Herron-Webb will challenge David Knight for the welterweight championship of the AFC. However, as the two weighed in at Rumrunners' last night, Aug. 10, they looked very close to starting their brawl 24 hours early.

The Dominican Demon: Paulino will finally get another shot at glory when he fights TJ Grant at UFC 119 on September 25

Julio Paulno’s face is not shaped like you’d imagine a fighter’s face should be. No missing teeth, no visible scar tissue, nose facing the right direction. If you accompanied him swimming at the YMCA or jogging along 5th avenue you would be hard pressed to guess that you were joining the only professional Alaskan cagefighter for a fraction of his daily exercise regimen.

'The King': Spencer Fisher clowns around with 10-year-old Billy Yoder at Cage Rage on Friday, July 24. Photo courtesy of Cullen Yoder.

Kenai Peninsula's Cage Rage pulled off another successful show Friday.

UFC veteran Spencer 'The King' Fisher was on hand as a special guest judge, but also ended up refereeing two and entertaining the crowd with his wife between bouts.

A bit of late-breaking news: Kenai Peninsula Cage Rage will host a K-1 style striking tournament tonight, July 23rd.

In an unannounced twist, UFC veteran Spencer 'King' Fisher will serve as a guest judge, along with his wife and boxing coach.

The eight men in the tournament will have to get by on strikes only, no grappling or wrestling, with the winner receiving a cool $2,000 and three-foot trophy. Second place will receive $500.

"Everyone else just gets a bruised ego and a black eye," said Cullin Yoder, the event's promoter.

Ricky 'Ice Cold' Shivers isn't fazed by Ricco Rodriguez,: saying of the former UFC Champ, "He's nothing special."

AFC veteran Ricky "Ice Cold" Shivers will put his Xtreme Kombat League light-heavyweight belt on the line against former UFC heavyweight titlist Ricco Rodriguez in November, the Gracie Barra fighter has announced. If the fight happens as scheduled it will be one of the biggest fights an Alaskan fighter has ever been involved in.

Jesse Cruz: was named the AFC's first featherweight champion after a thrilling five round war on Wednesday.

More pictures from AFC 73

Getting in the Right Frame of Mind: Heavyweight champion Brian Ryan, caught enjoying a beer shortly before defending his belt.

Alaskans spurned fishing and hiking on Wednesday to pack into the Sullivan Arena. More people attended this event (including one Chuck Liddell) than this humble blogger has ever witnessed at an AFC card. They were not disappointed, as the fighters churned out a stellar night of pugilistic mayhem. Here are the results. Be sure to check back tomorrow for awards, pictures, and the Final Word!

"It ain't about money...": Cody Rice, who weighed-in heavy tonight, sacrificed several hundred dollars to keep his dream for the lightweight championship alive.

Cody 'Pelligro' Rice and Scott Thometz were scheduled to fight on the AFC 73 card tomorrow evening. On the line, a title shot against 'Nasty' Nate Hannah for the vacant lightweight belt.

It was set to go off without a hitch, until the fighters weighed-in tonight. Thometz met the 155 pound weight limit. Rice came in three pounds over.

On Wednesday, July 14th, the AFC will celebrate their sixth anniversary.

If the idea of championship bouts on both extreme ends of the weight scale and several blue chip prospects fighting isn't enough to get you to go, remember that UFC legend Chuck 'The Iceman' Liddell will also be the signing autographs.

QUESTIONS FOR AFC 73:

Can Hildrebrand get Ryan to the ground? Will it even matter?