The Cage Combat League held its inaugural competition in September and numbers have only risen going into its sixth event on May 15 at the Warsaw Armory.
"People are really starting to come," Cage Combat Founder and Promoter Scott Zook said. "The numbers have gone from 200 to 400 to 500."
Zook, who also owns Zook's Cafe in North Manchester, has been involved with martial arts since 1976, participating in competitions and is still giving private lessons in North Manchester.
Along with teaching, he recently began thinking of starting a Mixed Martial Arts league, which held its first event in Sept. 19 at the Wabash Fairgrounds.
After holding its first two events at the fairgrounds, the league held two at the Warsaw Armory before conducting its last at the Marion Armory on April 15.
Now, the league is back at the Warsaw Armory for Rumble in the Lake City III.
"It's an amateur league with skilled competitors," Zook said. "We pair the matches up with a similar win-loss records. We try to make the entertainment a little higher caliber."
The May 15 event will feature 40 fights, including 18 under cards building up to two amateur title fights.
The amateur fights will pit Devin Miller (12-2) against Bryant Whitaker (14-2) at 155 pounds, and Ron Marshal (7-1) and Brandon Slabaugh (14-7) will battle at 145.
Along with the current fighters will be two-time United States Martial Arts Alliance Hall of Fame inductee, as well as World Karate Union Hall of Fame inductee, Kevin Bronson.
The Warsaw resident will be judging the competitors, choosing the winner when the fight has to go to the cards.
"I'll be sitting ringside with two or three other judges," Bronson said. "We'll be judging on grappling technique, hand and feet striking technique, cage control and control over the other fighter."
Bronson and Zook have been familiar with each other for a number of years, and Bronson is more than happy to help with a sport he loves, as he is still working with Relentless Martial Arts Academy in Warsaw.
"Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport in the world," Bronson said. "I'm happy to help with something in that is taking place in the community I live in."
And even more than helping the sport, Bronson enjoys helping his friend, who in turn is helping his fighters.
"Scott genuinely cares about the fighters and their well being, as well as the growth of the sport," Bronson said.
Tickets for Rumble in the Lake City III are $30 at ringside and $20 general admission. They may be purchased at the door or by calling Zook's Cafe (260-982-1344) or visiting www.cagecombatleague.com
