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A man known for promoting the sport of Ultimate Combat is now under investigation for an illegal fight, along with two of his fighters. It happened at the Show Club, which is the new location of Southern Exposure.
Fighting is part of Mike Stidham's life. He's a fight promoter and martial arts instructor, and he says that made him and his friends a target at this club.
We got a tip that Stidham and two fighters for the Ultimate Combat Experience severely beat a bouncer at the Show Club Sunday night. Police declined to talk about the case because it's still under investigation, but they did cite Stidham for lewd conduct and assault.
When we approached Stidham today, he said he was the victim. He says a bouncer confronted one of his friends and tried to start a fight. Stidham says the bouncer threw the first punch, and that he tried to break it up and called another bouncer to help, but got attacked too.
Stidham showed us pictures of a gash in his head and scratches on his face. The club has surveillance video, which police are looking at.
"I hope they see what happened, ‘cause their guy literally took the first punch, and you can't really be a victim if you're taking a first punch, especially when you're a bouncer. You're in charge with protecting the patrons of this place," Stidham said.
Stiham also has a weekly TV show, "The Ultimate Combat Experience," which airs on the CW. It features the growing sport of mixed martial arts, and fighters battle it out in a cage. He says because of what he does, he and his fighters are put under a microscope.
People at the Show Club declined to comment because the case is still under investigation. Police say charges could be filed in the case in the coming days.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
