Canada has been referred to as the “Mecca of Mixed Martial Arts.” In the same way some see Edmonton as a Mecca for combat sports in Canada. Not only are there 6 or 7 MMA promotions, there are also professional and amateur Muay Thai and Boxing events held throughout the year. No other city in Canada has the same density of shows as Edmonton.

The idea of Edmonton Fight Scene has been kicking around since January. Dean Panas, a ring announcer for MMA, Boxing and Muay Thai organizations, was consistently hearing about how good the local shows were, but was also frequently hearing “I had no idea this was happening in Edmonton until you told me!”

It began to frustrate Panas that fighters such as Ryan Ford, Jelena Mrdjenovich, Victor Valimaki, Kris Andrews, Ryan Jimmo, Tim Hague, Adam Trupish, Nick Penner and Mukai Maromo – as well as promoters – were not getting the attention they deserved. Edmonton is full of fight fans; UFC and Boxing pay-per-view turnouts attest to that. For the most part, unless they are involved in the Edmonton fight scene in one aspect or another, fight fans are missing out on local talent and promotions simply because they do not know when events are being held.

Then came the big question – how to get more people out to local shows? The best way, in Panas’ opinion, is to get the fans to meet the fighters. He wants to give the fighters of Edmonton what they need – more fans. Selling tickets is very important for the success of any promotion; after all it is a business. In the same way, being a professional fighter should be looked at as a business. It is very important for a fighter to help support the promotions he or she fights. The more fans the fighter gets, the easier that becomes.

Back in May, Panas met with Jason Bouwmeester, a local photographer who had recently entered the realm of combat sports photography, and started to discuss his idea of Edmonton Fight Scene. Bouwmeester, a web developer by day, became very excited about the concept and the technical side of things. Like Panas, he was noticing the same things in relation to the fight scene in Edmonton. Because of the number of promotions and fighters living in and travelling to Edmonton, Bouwmeester agreed with Panas and saw the merit in a website that would serve the needs of Edmonton fighters and promoters. Work has commenced and the Edmonton Fight Scene website will be launching shortly.

The Edmonton Fight Scene concept received a major boost when Panas met with Ken Franczek. Panas and Franczek had met through the KO Boxing promotion. As Franczek has had a history with local amateur and professional boxing, Panas wanted to meet and discuss an idea to hold a small meet and greet with fighters and fans. A couple hours later, Franczek had secured sponsorship, a marketing team and a design team to assist with Edmonton’s first Edmonton Fight Scene Fan Expo.

Panas, Bouwmeester and Franczek all share the same passion for the local fight scene and are determined to bring Edmonton fighters the attention they deserve.

Our first Edmonton Fight Scene Fan Expo was on August 15^th at the Shaw Conference Centre. Watch for information on the next Edmonton Fight Scene Fan Expo in the spring of 2011!