Street-Fighting Men

World Fighting Alliance

Comments (0) By JORDAN MASTAGNI Thursday, Jul 20 2006

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Blood. Brutality. Dudes kicking the crap out of each other. Just another night at the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Actually, it's a night of watching the modern-day gladiators of the World Fighting Alliance offering up the phenomenon that is mixed martial arts. The Great Western Forum plays host to the King of the Streets, which will feature some of Orange County's most talented fighters: Ricco Rodriguez, Quinton Jackson, Rob McCollough, Kimo and Tiki. These brawlers defend their honor—and coconuts—while showcasing their skills for fans hungry for a one-punch knockout or tactical submission/near-death experience.

Mixed martial arts fuses many fighting disciplines, from boxing to Muay Thai kickboxing to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Those prepared with the bare minimum boxing skills don't stand a chance against opponents well-versed in multiple styles, knowledge needed to survive a takedown. In fact, much more likely than a fighter being caught on the chin with a left hook, most mixed martial arts fighters end up on the ground where they can drive an opponent to submit by use of the rear naked choke, which is not something from an adult movie, but a hold in which one chokes another from behind. And then there's always the arm bar—a move in which one bends another's arm in the wrong direction, you know, kinda like Catholic school.

The World Fighting Alliance's King of the Streets at the Forum, 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, (310) 330-7300. Sat., 7 p.m. $50-$350.