Fight of a Lifetime: The most dominant fighter in AFC history will try to connect the atom smashers he calls fists with former UFC titlist Ricco Rodriguez's face on Saturday, March 20.

Alaskan fighters have a crazy busy weekend ahead. I addition to two promotions active on Friday, several local mmartists will be engaged in matches outside the Last Frontier. Best of all, the most intriguing of these fights will be watchable, live, via the magic of the Internet. And also television.

In addition to the already talked about and much anticipated debut of Alaska pound-for-pound contender Julio "The Dominican Demon" Paulino in the UFC, other familiar AFC faces will be in action this weekend as well.

While the most important of these fights might be Paulino's preliminary fight against Mike Pierce at UFC on Versus this Sunday, March 21 (perhaps watchable on the Versus network, depending on time and whether or not it's exciting enough to show), the most exciting of these bouts might be perennial heavyweight champ Brian Ryan fighting former UFC heavyweight champ Ricco Rodriguez in the new Xtreme Kombat Leagueon Saturday, March 20. Rodriguez holds victories of fellow champions Randy Couture and Andrei Arlovski. He is unquestionably the biggest name any Alaskan has ever fought, and Ryan is looking for a knockout.

"I can see it," Ryan foretold, "I can see me catching him."

Ryan is the only heavyweight champion the AFC has ever had or needed. He has beaten every competitor Alaska has in his weight class, as well as every higher lever opponent that has been brought up for him. It is mind-boggling that he is only know moving up to the level he belongs. Perhaps it is due to his attitude toward fighting, which he views as a hobby rather than a profession or life-long dream. His real profession, working on the North Slope, is what has kept him at least partially in Alaska, where we have been lucky enough to see his artistic KO's regularly at the Alaska Fighting Championship. Ryan's pursuit of UFC glory is secondary at best.

"before I die I'd love to say I fought in the UFC," he remarked, "If it happens, it happens."

Ryan, who trains out of Gracie-Barra when he's in Anchorage and United Martial Arts Center in Rotchester, NY, where he splits his time, is known for three things: 1)excellent cage control, honed by years of boxing; 2)the stubborn ability to remain conscious through abuse that would leave lesser men comatose; and 3)hands the approximate weight and density of anvils. He plans to head into the fight like he does all his fights, looking to remain on his feet. He does not like his prospects of winning by submission, or even surviving on the ground with the venerated grappler.

"[Rodriguez] has been winning national and world grappling since '97," Ryan said, "I'm not gonna kid myself, there's no way in the world."

Former AFC middleweight champion Ricky "Ice Cold" Shivers will be fighting for the fledgling promotion's light heavyweight title against the undefeated Eric Smith.

Also on the card are former UFC heavyweight contender Jeff "The Snowman" Monson, as well as former UFC fighter and world's tallest lightweight Corey Hill. This is about as great a card as will ever be found outside of the UFC or Strikeforce.

It can be purchased pay-per-view at
mmaactionlive.com
The price is currently around $11, so there is no excuse not to see these fights yourself. If you are reading this blog right now you have the Internet, and you can find $11 in your sofa cushions. There, that's all you need.

Also fighting this weekend is Sitka native and former The Ultimate Fighter contestant Richie Witson. He'll be fighting in Hawaii for the X1 banner.