Cache Clash brings mixed martial arts to Logan

A majority of the fighters are students at USU, including Joe Pauni and Jamin Smith. Pauni plays men’s rugby while Smith plays women’s rugby.

Smith has been training in TaeKwon-Do for 10 years and received her black belt at age 15.

“I’ve fought before, but nothing quite this intense,” she said.

Travis Chambers, a senior studying public relations, said he was looking for a way he could practice what he is learning in his classes as he prepares to graduate. He helped organize parties and concerts in the past, and decided he wanted to try something new by organizing an MMA fight, he said.

“It’s been good learning how to communicate with sponsors and venues. I’ve learned a lot about legal stuff that they don’t teach you in school,” Chambers said.

Chambers said he contacted Rulon Gardner, an Olympic gold-medal wrestler and resident of Wellsville. Gardner owns Gold’s Gym in Logan, where he facilitates MMA, boxing and wrestling programs.

Gardner said he has wanted to host a fight for a few years, but never had the means to do it.

“You know, school’s a lot of theory,” Chambers said. “Doing this, actually doing it — figuring out the strategy — we have no idea how this will turn out, how many people will come. There are already things that I know to do differently next time.”

Having a next time is all part of the plan, Chambers said.

Gardner said he hopes to eventually attract fighters from all over the country, and Chambers said this year they’ll have competitors from California and Idaho.

Chambers said he and Gardner are on track to break even and maybe make a small profit for this fight, but in the future he said they are expecting to double or even triple attendance.

Gardner said he wants MMA to become a part of Logan’s culture. He said with such a strong college presence, MMA should become very popular to watch, as well as serve as an important outlet to many people.

“For typical sports, like rugby, yes it’s a game that requires physical fitness, strength and team strategy, but in the end it’s all about the ball,” Smith said. “For me, when I fight, it’s about doing whatever I can to hit the other person as hard and effectively as possible and make them afraid to come after me. It’s an individual sport and only I can be responsible for winning or losing.”

Gardner said there has been a recent trend to  keep martial arts away from traditional sports.

“People need to realize that this is the evolution,” he said.

“Fighting serves as an outlet to people. And really, it’s better that we have them under supervision where it is safe than fighting on the streets,” Gardner said.

He said he also feel it is important for people to learn how to protect themselves, which is part the reason his gym offers martial arts programs. He said many victims of violent crimes — particularly women — come into his gym.

Chambers said one of his primary focuses was getting sponsorships. He said they have been sponsored by Torqued Magazine, Cornwell Tools, Rockstar Energy Drink, Harley Davidson and Texas Roadhouse, which will provide dinner for the VIP’s.

Chambers said he feels some companies were apprehensive to sponsor the Clash in its first run, but he hopes more companies will be willing to sponsor the event in the future.

Tickets are $15 for students, $20 for the public and $40 for VIP seats. Chambers said he hopes people will buy their tickets in advance so coordinators can get a good idea of how many people to expect.

bracken_allen@yahoo.com