Today, some people still call MMA barbaric but though it looks more like a street fight and unprofessional at times, there are elements that make the sport even safer than boxing.

Last week two boxing prizefighters Czar Amonsot and Oscar Larios who fought in separate bouts on the same fight card in Las Vegas, suffered bleeding of the brain after their brutal fights. That’s very rare in MMA.

During the last 10 years an average of 10 boxers die annually because of punishment received in the ring. No MMA fighter died last year because of injuries suffered during a match.

MMA and boxing are both combat sports that have entertainment values of different scopes. To say a boxer can beat an MMA fighter or vice versa is ludicrous. They’re very different but cut from the same mold.

Just ask Noons.

“The good thing about MMA as opposed to boxing is that one loss won’t destroy you,” Noons said. “In MMA you can be a .500 fighter and still be a threat.”

For ticket information call (800) 585-3737.

K-1 Grand Prix in Las Vegas
The K-1 Grand Prix takes place on Aug. 11 at the Bellagio and will feature Ray “Sugarfoot” Sefo against Bjorn Bregy among many other kickboxing bouts.

Sefo (61-15-1, 49 KOs) of New Zealand is a four-time world kickboxing champion. Bregy (14-7, 7 KOs) of Switzerland is a karate expert who stands eight inches over six feet in height.

For ticket information (888) 488-7111.

IFL Grand Prix
The International Fight League’s first Grand Prix tournament will take place on Nov. 3 in Chicago for the semi-finals and on Dec. 29 in Uncasville, Conn. for the finals.

Four of the top fighters from each weight division will take part in the tournament.

Those participating in the heavyweight division are Ben Rothwell, Roy Nelson, Antoine Jaoude, Reese Andy and Bryan Vetell as the alternate.

UFC 76
UFC announced that Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell will face Keith “The Dean of Mean” Jardine in the main event at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Sept. 22. Also on the card will be Mauricio “Ninja” Rua facing popular Forrest Griffin.

“After Jardine knocked out Forrest Griffin, Chuck and Keith were on course to fight each other. Keith lost his last fight and so did Chuck, so now they face each other not for the title, but to get back in the race,” said Dana White, UFC President. “Shogun is coming into the UFC because he wants the same thing, to get in the race and ultimately prove he is the best light heavyweight in the world – so UFC 76 is going to have a huge impact on the 205-pound division and who we could eventually see fight Dan Henderson or Rampage for the title.”

Fights coming up

• July 27 – Gladiator Fighting 45 “Clearwater Carnage” at Ramada Inn Civic Center in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. (715) 864-3297.
• July 27 – Gladiator Challenge at Kezar Pavillion in San Francisco, Calif. (415) 753-7032.
• July 28 – Chitown Throwdown at Darien Sports Plex in Darien, Illinois. (630) 640-2686.
• July 28 – Extreme Challenge at South Mountain Arena in West Orange, New Jersey. (973) 731-3828.

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