NIAGARA FALLS — We’ll see their fists come fall, but Tuesday’s media kickoff for the Mayhem in the Mist mixed martial arts event coming to the Seneca Niagara Casino offered a chance to see the smiling faces of fighters like Kyle Jensen, Molly Helsel and Port Colborne, Ont. product Alexis Davis.
Although the fight won’t be held until Oct. 10, the buzz around Tuesday’s press conference was substantial. Jensen, for example, flew in from Red Lake Falls, Minn., just to speak. The veteran fighter will put his 36-10-2 record on the line when he meets former Ultimate Fighting Championship brawler Yves Edwards in the main event.
“I had a heck of a time getting out here, I missed my flight,” Jensen said. “But it feels good to get here.”
Jensen’s last fight ended in just 45 seconds when his opponent, Rich Clementi, broke his clavicle. He should be a formidable opponent for Edwards, who is trying to get back onto the UFC stage.
“He’s a top-notch caliber guy,” Jensen said of Edwards. “He’s been ranked No. 1 in the world. I’ve been looking for this chance for two years, my management team and I, and I’m going to put on a great show.
“The winner is going to be the fans. I love to throw down and Yves Edwards has a reputation for the same.”
Meanwhile, the co-main event of Davis and Helsel should provide just as many, if not more memories for fight fans.
“Sorry, but we’re going to steal the show guys,” Davis joked while taking the stage in front of the casino.
Davis has won six of her eight MMA bouts and should pose a challenge to Helsel, who has been fighting for more than a decade.
“I’m extremely excited for this fight,” Helsel said. “It’s been over a year since I’ve had a chance to step into the cage. Alexis is not going to be a warm-up fight and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Others on hand for the press conference included Raging Wolf president JC Seneca, Seneca Gaming Commission COO Cathy Walker, fight organizer Paul Andres Domenech and Ray Newkirk, who helped Seneca devise the idea.
Contact sports editor Tim Schmitt at 282-2311, ext. 2266.
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August 18, 2009
MMA: 'Mayhem' to feature Kyle Jensen and former UFC star Yves Edwards
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