By Robb Fenton
It is almost an understatement to say the EFC is growing by leaps and bounds.
Since EFC 1 to where they are now, it’s almost like night and day and their next installment - EFC 5: Summer Rumble - is sure to boost the local mixed martial arts circuit to the next level.
With the number and calibre of fights set for this card, it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.
“We’re very excited about this one. The fights we have on this one are top notch. They are up there with any other fight card in Canada, we’re really excited about these fights,” EFC co-founder Mark Lindskog siad.
EFC will return to the Civic Centre where they hosted their last event about three months ago and while there were some minor glitches, the event was the best to date and Saturday’s card should be right up there as well.
“It’s trial and error. You do one, you learn a little bit, you do another you learn again, so we’ve gotten rid of all those downfalls from the last one, we’ve improved it with bigger and better stuff,” Lindskog explained. “We’ll have an all new sound system, so it’s going to keep getting better and better. Each one we’re going to learn something new and go from there.”
The Civic Centre provides something very few places in Lloydminster are able to and Lindskog feels that is the biggest drawing point for fans.
“It’s the atmosphere. People want that atmosphere. The Exhibition Grounds were good, but it’s just a step up. If we’re going to get bigger and better, we’re going to have to make it better for the people who attend,” Lindskog said. “We’re happy with the Civic Centre and happy with the way the city treats us.”
Both Lindskog and MMA United trainer, as well as EFC co-founder Travis Quesnel said it’s going to be tough not becoming a fan Saturday night with the fights they have on their card.
“I can’t wait for the show Saturday night, I can’t wait for the fights. I don’t know if I’m more an organizer or a fan of this one. I’m pretty excited,” Quesnel said.
Lindskog echoed Quesnel’s comment, noting the quality of fighters that will step in the cage at EFC 5 are going to make all the difference for the people in attendance
“It’s huge for us. To have Jason Day, he’s been in the UFC. This is his chance to get back into the UFC. If he beats Ovince St. Preux, who just fought in Strikeforce, so it’s both their tickets back in,” Lindskog said. “People are in for a night of good fights.”
To go along with the bigger name fighters, a tonne of local talent will return to the cage, which is always the goal of Quesnel and his group – to provide local guys a place to fight.
“We have Ben (Stewart), Justin (Flett), Ryan Dallyn is putting up great shows so he’s ready and Lance Desnoyer is going to step back in the cage so it’s pretty exciting,” Quesnel said of some of the MMA United guys stepping into the cage. “We’re real excited for all four of
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those guys.”
There has been a special guest at the last few events and EFC 5 is no different as London, Ontario’s Sam “Hands of Stone” Stout will be at the event.
“To get a guy like Sam Stout down, he’s corning one of the guys fighting so for him to come to Lloyd it’s big, like Kenny Florian and Patrick Cote,” Lindskog said. We’re going to keep bringing guests like that in and getting bigger and bigger and hopefully people will appreciate it.”
With the well known fighters, the special guest and hype around this card, EFC 5 is sure to be a knockout with fans, fighters and organizers alike.
“It’s awesome, this time we have a whole different flavour. It’s different for us and we’re excited about that,” Quesnel said.
The doors to the Civic Centre open at 5 p.m. Saturday night with the fights scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.