Michigan promoter reveals own highs and lows during state's drive toward pro MMA

For every wannabe Dana White in existence, Joe Donofrio has a warning: Be careful what you wish for.  Donofrio is the promoter of record for the Jan. 30 "Malice at The Palace" event in Auburn Hills, Mich., one of the first regulated professional mixed martial arts shows in Michigan's history, and he knows well the process of taking the sport to an unregulated market.

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Righteous Rick a Smashing Success on Donofrio MMA Card

Fans come out to cheer or jeer instant legend making debut.  The legend of "Righteous Rick" continues, and there may be no stopping this locomotive now.

"Righteous" Rick Bastuba, who attained local notoriety in the Detroit area after subduing an unruly fan with a sleeper hold at a Lions game in September, at which point the fan's pants inadvertently fell down, made his mixed martial arts debut on November 14 and scored a majority decision win over Jeff Emery before a healthy crowd of enthusiastic MMA fans at the Palace of Auburn Hills in a show promoted by Donofrio Entertainment.

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MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: "Righteous Rick" wins in MMA debut

By MARVIN GOODWIN Of The Oakland Press

AUBURN HILLS- "Righteous Rick" Bastuba soaked up the atmosphere of mixed martial arts fighting, and is likely to come back for more.

The 39-year-old Grand Blanc resident-a folk hero of sorts courtesy of the "Drew and Mike" show on WRIF-FM - made his fighting debut late Saturday, coming away with a majority decision over Jeff Emery, to the delight (and dismay) of thousands assembled at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

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