Mixed and Matched

There was a time when this stuff was known generically as ultimate fighting, and it looked like a cross between boxing and a bar brawl, except that if some wiry Brazilian guy were to pin a barfly and issue a series of uppercuts to the poor bastard’s groin, the barkeep would settle things with a baseball bat and a call to the po-po. Instead the Brazilian guy got crowned champ. Ultimate indeed!

These days mixed martial arts is so hot the sport might as well be falling from outer space. It lands next with a night of knees and knuckles called Warriors Collide II. Yes, it’s just a “When” shy of sounding like a Fox TV series, but according to the promoters -- a local trio that goes by Left Hook Productions LLC -- it’s going to feature some up-and-coming young SoFla brawlers thumping on other up-and-comers who will likely become down-and-outers if they can’t duck and weave. The dozen-odd matches will culminate with an International Sport Kickboxing Association-sanctioned heavyweight title bout between Chris DeCaro and Eric Rivera. See the Chuck Lidells of tomorrow get kicked in the headgear at 6:15 p.m. at War Memorial Auditorium. Tickets cost $20 to $45 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 954-523-3309.
Fri., Sept. 7, 6:15 p.m.