10-bout event set for tomorrow at the Moncton Coliseum

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By NEIL HODGE
Times & Transcript Staff

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Greg Agnew/Times & Transcript

Russian Mixed Martial Arts fighter Ilya Woronowski and his coach Alex Luchkin attended the news conference yesterday for this Saturday’s bout at the Moncton Coliseum. Ilya said that he would defeat his opponent with Jedi Mind Tricks, although he admits his 6 foot 2 inch, 240 pound frame would probably help as well.

Ryan Jimmo is set to make his fighting debut in his home province.

The 26-year-old Saint John native will be looking to build on his 6-1 record when he battles Chris Fontaine of Winnipeg in the light heavyweight main event on a 10-bout mixed martial arts card which takes place tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Moncton Coliseum. The doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Jimmo's lone setback came on The Ultimate Fighter, which is a reality show on Spike Television. Fontaine is 17-10 and has a current streak of six consecutive wins.

"Chris Fontaine is a quality opponent," said Jimmo at a news conference yesterday. "I'm looking to be fast and efficient. I'm bigger and stronger than him. Technically, I think we're probably on the same level. I think it's going to be a good main event. There's probably going to be a little bit of blood, but it's not going to be mine.

"Aside from the guy I fought on The Ultimate Fighter, I think he will be my toughest opponent yet. It's going to be a tough fight, but I think I'm going to be a little too much for him.''

The public is invited to attend the weigh-in today at 1 p.m. at The Great Canadian Pub. The scale is available beginning at 11 a.m. for fighters who need to cut weight to make their class.

Jimmo was a Canadian champion and won bronze and silver medals at the Pan American Games during his 15-year karate career. He moved to Halifax two years ago to take up training as he made the move to mixed martial arts.

"It's a little extra pressure coming back to fight in New Brunswick for the first time, but it's extra incentive as well," he said. "My goal is to be in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) in the next six to eight months. That's a reasonable goal. I'm an up-and-comer, they know who I am and I'm improving all the time."

Tickets are on sale at the Moncton Coliseum, Dooly's on Mountain Road and Aaron's Furniture Store. The prices are $35, $50, $75 and $125 for VIP ringside.

Dave Simms, co-owner of the MMA Training Centre in Moncton, will make his debut in the sport on this card. He will face Chris Doucet, a Rogersville native who lives in Notre Dame and trains at Marmac Athletics in Truro, *.S.

"I only have two words --- lights out," said Simms when asked to address the news conference.

"I'm confident. I've got the tools and it's time to prove myself. You can expect to see anything and everything from me -- elbows, knees, whatever. He's playing my game. I'm not playing his game.''

Other bouts are:

* Dana Dickeson of Fredericton vs. Jeff Lundberg of Saint John

* Jeremiah Bernard of Richibucto vs. Richard Arsenault of P.E.I.

* Chris Currie of P.E.I. vs. Tony Black of Quispamsis

* Jonny Roscoe of Saint John vs. Iraj Hadin of Ontario

* Brian Mazerolle of Team Saigo in Moncton vs. Shawn Marchand of Ontario

* Chris Johnson of Team Saigo vs. Justin Primmer of Ontario

* Scott Fraser of the MMA Training Centre vs. Ilya Wornowski of Ontario

* Brad Duguay of Team Saigo vs. Jason Bernava of the MMA Training Centre.