The Beach may slowly become the new home for the Total Fighting Alliance (TFA).
After already hosting TFA 11, the Walter Pyramid will be the venue for TFA 12: “Brawl at the Beach,” as the hard-hitting mixed martial arts (MMA) cage fights return Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
The fight card consists of 10 bouts, ranging from weight classes of 138 to 200 pounds.
The night will be highlighted by ex-lightweight champion Toby “Tigerheart” Grear, who will face Gilbert Salinas in his quest to regain the belt.
Local Orange County fighter Zack Brennan, younger brother of MMA fighter Chris Brennan, will face off against Cordero.
Also, Sean “The Destroyer” Loeffler and his 8-3 record are looking to improve against fighting veteran Paul Karsky, who will carry a 7-11-1 record into the bout.
Other fights scheduled for the event include Anthony Ferguson vs. Joe Schilling, Daniel Grey vs. Eddie Mendez, Jared Carlsten vs. Jacob Wood, Sterling Trotter vs. Vladimir Matyushenko, Jeff Martin vs. Greg Guzman, Jose “Berto” Morales vs. Jason Carbajal and Raymond Ayala vs. John Lopez.
Some students, like junior Steven Kruid, an avid MMA fan, are looking forward to the TFA returning for a second time.
“MMA is great unlike other sports of its genre,” Kruid said. “It’s not fake like [pro] wrestling or slow like boxing. It requires strength, agility, speed and intelligence.”
Added fifth-year senior Jacob Baumer, “It is kind of barbaric on the surface, but the combination of the superb technical skill, raw power and strength is amazing.”