LOOKING FOR A FIGHT

Dan Severn, the only triple-crown champion in mixed martial arts, soon may bring his training programs, as well as amateur tournaments, to the area if all goes as planned.

Mixed martial arts competitions were legalized in April, causing a feeding frenzy of individuals looking for local venues where they could participate in the sport, rather than travel long distances to areas where the tournaments were legal.

Mixed martial arts is a full contact combat sport in which a number of martial arts skills and techniques are used in competitions.

Severn, who showcased his training techniques at the Fitness Factory earlier this month, would like to bring his teachings to the area.

A decade ago, Severn created The Danger Zone, a mixed martial arts promotion that is geared around developing the amateur fighter. Tournaments are set up to showcase those talents.

A former WWE superstar and a National Wrestling Alliance world heavyweight champion, Severn plans to bring both his teachings and tournaments to the area.

"Pennsylvania is an amateur wrestling-rich state. There are a lot of athletes in this state that have had to go to other states in order to pursue this type of competition. So now, here is an opportunity for these athletes to showcase their skills in front of their family and friends," Severn said.

He is headquartered in Michigan but plans to set up four to six locations in the country. The Williamsport area is one of those destinations.

"With all (locations), there will be an affiliation with a gym, especially with teaching the martial arts ... not that I am going to be teaching all of these classes, because I cannot be in all of these places at once ... but, by following my lesson plans and making sure I have a competent instructor that can oversee things," Severn said.

The caged matches will bring revenue into the area as well as temporarily employ about five individuals during each show.

The Fitness Factory in Williamsport will be the training ground for the program.

Severn will return to the area for various workshops, according to James Loy, venue development and show director of Danger Zone.

Periodic shows will be put on three to four times a year. The proposed date for the first show is Nov. 14 at the Sports Dome in Muncy. Doors will open one hour prior to the tournament.

Individuals interested in tickets may access the Web site at www.the-dangerzone.com.

According to Loy, the tournament is a two-hour event with three two-minute rounds or three, three-minute rounds, with individuals matched up based on experience.

Severn, one of the oldest veterans of mixed martial arts, is 51. He began his career at 37.

Severn may retire in a retirement tour, where he will fight individuals he has fought against in the past - individuals against whom he has both won and lost.

"The guys he is looking at fighting are guys that basically came up in the sport with him. I think he wants to close out the book on a good note. They all respect each other and have been together for years. They have a very high level of respect for one another," said Vincent Pulizzi, regional venue development for Danger Zone.