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TCW?Entertainment to hold first MMA?event tonight in IrvingBy CRAIG HARVEY OBSERVER Sports Editor
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First there was Raging Wolf. Then came Knockout Promotions. Now add True Cage Warriors Entertainment to the list of local promoters bringing the Mixed Martial Arts experience to Western New York.
Tonight TCW Entertainment will present their first MMA show at the Gil Lay Memorial Arena in Irving.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and fighting begins at 7 p.m.
"We have been thinking about it for a year," promoter Jay Wilson said. "I have always been a fight fan. It was a year ago when we got serious about it. Lots of people have been waiting for this."
Wilson has seen several MMA fights and is ambitious to bring excitement to Western New York MMA fans for years to come.
"Everyone wants to get that first one over with and improve for the next one and make it better," he continued. "Overall, we are anxious to get it in and see that crowd. Other events at the Gil Lay have been positive. We want to have that same energy going on. We have other ideas on how to make things better. We are really excited about (tonight)."
While promoters are usually competitors against each other, Wilson hopes TCW can collaborate with Raging Wolf, as he puts the whole point of bringing MMA fights to New York in perspective.
"We do what we do and they do what they do," Wilson continued. "Somehow, maybe we can work together in the future. MMA is getting bigger and bigger and we can build it up regionally."
Wilson points to the fact there are not many MMA camps around the Western New York region - especially from Hornell to Elmira.
With that said, Wilson says the mission of TCW is to build up MMA and make it, "bigger and bigger."
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The fight Wilson is excited to see is the super heavyweight fight between Adam "Iron Belly" Gayton against Chris Smith.
"ADam Gayton is real unique," Wilson said. "He is 5-foot-9 and 300 pounds. He is athletic and full of charisma. I want to see him get in there and bang."
Sponsoring the fight are Brown and Chiari Law Firm, Seneca Gaming Entertainment, Sports Locker and Inferno Studios.
"I am looking forward to providing an atmosphere for the fans," Wilson added. "We want to capture the crowd and give them that enjoyment. People are looking for excitement. We want to see fighters accomplish their goals. People have been waiting to do this. We want to see these guys blossom and do it again and again."




