13-bout MMA card hits Joe Louis Arena on Saturday

Mike Brudenell, Detroit Free Press
November 6, 2015

Mixed martial arts returns to Detroit on Saturday night, with the 13-bout "Brawl in the Fall" show at Joe Louis Arena.

Heading the card is a five-round cage battle between Detroit's Marco Smallman (9-0) and Robert Gidron (13-2) of Grand Rapids for the Impact Fight League super welterweight super championship.

In the night's co-main event, James Holloway (12-2) of Detroit meets the Motor City's Rob Fretenborough (9-8) for the IFL featherweight championship.

"I am very proud to be bringing a show of this caliber to one of Detroit's best and most historic venues," said Donofrio MMA president Joseph Donofrio, the state's leading MMA promoter. "From the main event to the opening fight, this will be the best show of the year. Thanks to Olympia Entertainment for helping put on this blockbuster event."

In support of the two main bouts, undercard action includes David Ratliff (14-8) of Jackson versus Anthony Coleman (27-12) of Detroit for the IFL heavyweight championship, and Antonio Burkey (8-2) of Toledo against Matt Cylia (2-0) of Northville for the IFL middleweight championship.

Tickets ($15-$50) are available now, with $200 and $300 VIP seats also on sale. They can be purchased at olympiaentertainment.com, the Fox Theatre and Joe Louis Arena box offices, Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (without service charge), at all Ticketmaster locations and ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

VIP reserved cage-side tables also are available at 248-770-6000.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The first fight is at 7. For more information, visit donofriomma.com.

Contact Mike Brudenell: mbrudenell@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@mikebrudenell.