Coming off two disappointing results, Austin Springer of Vancouver is looking to give a lift to both himself and to a local mixed martial arts promotion.
On Saturday, Springer will take on Toby Misech of Hilo, Hawaii, in the main event of a professional mixed martial arts event at the Clark County Event Center.
Prime Fighting 6 will feature five professional MMA fights, preceded by four amateur bouts.
Springer and Misech are fighting for the Prime Fighting Featherweight (145-pound) belt. The first amateur bout is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tickets range from $30 for general admission to $65 for front-row seats.
Springer, 28, is coming off losses on The Ultimate Fighter television show and to Steven Siler in a Titan Fighting Championships event in September that was officially his first loss as a professional.
Despite those setbacks, Springer said he is more determined to pursue his dream of becoming a world champion in MMA.
“I don’t want to ever look back and say, ‘I wish I would’ve stuck with it longer,’ ” Springer said.
Officially 8-1 as a pro fighter, Springer said he is “refreshed, fast and fit.”
Saturday’s fight is scheduled for five rounds.
After being selected for The Ultimate Fighter 22 television show, Springer was eliminated in the first episode when he lost to Chris Gruetzemacher. Springer recently said that he tapered his training too much and did not have the needed stamina for that event. But Springer, whose last win came during Prime Fighting 5 in March, said he is looking forward to fighting again for the local promotion.
Alasdair Mackenzie, majority owner of Prime Fighting LLC, said he is excited to have Springer fighting for his promotion’s vacant featherweight championship belt.
“Austin is taking a risk. It’s not an easy fight,” said Mackenzie, who praised Springer for wanting to take on challenges as a path to improvement.
Misech enters the match with a 9-4 record, but this is his first fight away from his native Hawaii, according to Mackenzie.
Another Vancouver fighter, Eric Ramsey, will make his return to MMA in a 170-pound fight against Ryan Walker of Portland. Walker has another area fighter with a Titan FC contract and has fought at previous Prime events.
A 145-pound fight features Portlander Gus Bessa, who is originally from Brazil, taking on Jason Gray from Seattle. A 155-pound match features Portlanders Mike Dubois and John Bartlett. And at 115 pounds, Steve Lantry from Salem takes on Luis Gomez from Seattle.
Mackenzie said his goal is to build the promotion to include a professional MMA league. Mackenzie said he now owns 60 percent of Prime Fighting, with five other investors splitting the other 40 percent. He said the path to success will require building a strong base of sponsors for both the promotion and for area fighters.
Mackenzie declined to say what the total purse is for Saturday’s pro fights, but noted that there is a $2,500 bonus for the fighter of the night. He also declined to disclose the scheduled amateur bouts, citing a risk of having amateur fighters poached by other promoters.
Mackenzie owns Viqan LLC, a Vancouver company that markets rubber tracks for excavation and construction equipment. He is a board member of the Southwest Washington Contractors Association. He said contacts in the SWCA have been enthusiastic about sponsoring Prime Fighting events.
Mackenzie said his vision for Prime is as a platform for young fighters that provides significant prize purses for the participants — in the process making Southwest Washington a destination for young fighters who dream of competing at the highest level of MMA.
