Tropicana to host nine-fight MMA card tonight January 23, 2009 By David Weinberg The Press of Atlantic City Extreme Challenge promoter Monte Cox was hoping to make a big splash with tonight's mixed martial arts show at Tropicana Casino and Resort.He still has that goal, but he will have to reach it without the most popular fighter on the card. Philadelphia star Eddie Alvarez will be at the Tropicana to accept an award, but he won't compete. Alvarez's scheduled bout against Japanese standout Naoyuki Kotani was scratched after Alvarez (15-2) suffered a knee injury during a loss to Shina Aoki on New Year's Eve in Japan.Instead, the main event on tonight's nine-fight card will will feature the top-rated women's fighter in the world, Woodstown native and former Bodog Fight champion Tara LaRosa (15-1), against Canadian Alexis Davis (6-1).In terms of sheer talent, LaRosa might have no peer in the women's division of MMA. She is so good, in fact, that she has trouble getting fights. A former field hockey player at St. James High School, which is now closed, she has not fought since beating Cody Welchin on Nov. 24, 2007."Right now, women's MMA has hit a drought, kind of like the economy," LaRosa said in a statement. "There are few outlets for us experienced fighters to show what we can do, so I'm excited to get back into the cage and knock some of the ring rust off."The card will also feature former Lock Haven University wrestler Charlie Brenneman (6-1), who will face Edward O'Daniel. Brenneman, who won the inaugural season of the TV series "Pros vs. Joes," will return to the scene of his only loss, a three-round unanimous decision to John Howard at the Trop on Sept. 12, 2008 as part of Ring of Combat 21.Alvarez, a former standout wrestler for North Catholic High School in Philadelphia, would have been a huge draw. This would have been his first fight in the United States in two years. His last four fights were in Japan, where MMA fights routinely draw sellout crowds. Prior to his loss to Kotani, Alvarez was ranked by Sherdog as the No. 2 lightweight in the world, behind only UFC 154-pound champ B.J. Penn.Tickets to the event are priced from $50-$200 and available at the Tropicana box office and through Ticketmaster. Doors to the Trop Showroom - which is considered the best boxing/MMA venue in town because of its bleacher seating - open at 8:30 p.m. with the first bout slated for 9 p.m.

< Prev		Next >