The first rule of Woodward Park is you don't talk about Woodward Park.

Very true...kids aren't usually there after 7 p.m. When I first heard of the fighting events, I was stunned, and even went out of my way to see if Los Angeles and Atlanta were holding similar events in such venues. I didn't find any.

As a born and raised Fresnan, this was a hard change to accept, but I guess it's just a sign of the times. That type of event sells a lot of tickets...and the park charges only $3 to get in.

Tyler Durden sold his soap for $20 bucks a bar after all.

For my kids, however, they'll continue to feed ducks and play on the shaded playground in the morning.

I don't see the "change" though, Clare.

Before this year, almost nothing happened in that amphitheater. It's not like the venue has been used for the symphony and is turning around and putting on a MMA event.

It's a place that's trying to forge an identity as an entertainment venue. This is big entertainment and big athletics -- easily bigger than boxing these days.

Just another Woodward Lakes bored Housewife with nothing better to do. Probably the same gal who paraded around RiverPark a few years ago telling all the merchants she was leading a boycott on RiverPark if they allowed the Hooters to be opened there! I hope the Silly Clowncil treats her like they treat the crazy pipelady from Craiglist, A restraining order and a big GO AWAY.

Its a Public park with a venue that ANYONE can rent? Did she piss and moan when they had a rock concert there? Is she going to get upset because Shakspere is happening?? She gonna get upset that out at Kerney Park next weekend they are having a Mega Concert and Motorcycle rally with 1000s of bikers?? How about the radisson hotel hosting pro wrestling(Hey its simulated violence).

Gee, TV might have Desperate Housewives, but Fresno has BORED ONES!!

Simple solution, if you dont like it DONT GO, If you dont want to watch it on your TV, TURN THE CHANNEL!!!

I agree that it does seem a bit odd for an event such as this to be held at a park but if you dont want to see it, dont go. its that simple.
While i CANNOT stand MMA and would never watch it, I am all for creating new and exciting venues for entertainment that holds appeal to the residents of a growing city. I dont really understand why this woman has made it her mission to try to stop the event. Good luck with that. Seems like alot of money has been pumped into this event.
You cant stand between a city and its dollars!

I think this is a great use for the amphitheater! With the way the amphitheater is set up there's no risk of anyone seeing the match that doesn't specifically go to the event... seriously... I think our children are safe. Not only will the MMA fight promoters make money, but the city will too... why wouldn't the city want $3 or $5 from those MMA fans driving to this event?

And the thought of an MMA event outdoors... that's a GREAT marketing tool! I wonder if Los Angeles or Atlanta can boast about a secure outdoor events center...

Don't like it, don't go. That's what I say.

I have no problem with one woman voicing a concern. That's her right.

What I have an issue with is the Fresno Bee putting the story above the fold with the headline and lede impression that MMA was getting lots of protests due to the venue.

Journalism? Jeezsh. I hope the Bee shows up the next time I feel like opening my front door and ranting about something ridiculous (which I do on a daily basis). On second thought, um, no I don't.

MMA is fantastic, but my concern is that too many promoters are seeing quick $$ signs and the sport might spread too thin, lose fans, and some might try to skirt the intense regulations governing the sport. The second someone gets seriously injured or dies, MMA is in some trouble. So far, nothing like that has happened, unlike in boxing. Here's crossing my fingers...

...hmmm, Fresno's most glamorous park is now openning up to folks beating the snot out of each other, --and getting paid ta do it up in 'God's Country.'

(Yes, Virginia, pointless violence isn't just for 'bangers, and drunks --high-class 'proper-folks' 'njoy it too..)

which means?

'Tractor/Truck Pulls,' or (gasp?) a Dirt Car Track (once more) in Fresno's borders.. (they got a BMX track, and that's a start...) -maybe Mud Buggy racing???

(my eyes just lit up... my inner hillbilly just went 'YESSS'...
...starts fanning self with folded 'HotRod' magazine...)

-ohhhh honey,,,
when that thing swings back the other way,
it sure do swing hard, bubba,
it sure do...
:)

i was surprised when i heard the ads on the radio. but, this was mainly because i was surprised it wasn't at one of the usual venues (like a casino). i was also a little surprise that they were doing an outdoor event in fresno during the summer. i've heard that amphitheater can get a little warm.

hey, if the city rents the facilities out for other things (weddings, plays, concerts, whatever) why not rent it out for this? and since it's a pay event, i'm sure the promoters will do everything within their power to make sure that no one accidentally sees the show.

i wonder if she will also protest the highland games that are scheduled, for the second year in a row, for roeding park. there will be rock throwing, tossing of large poles and other weapons of war. shoot, i bet there will even be men...in skirts! someone might even eat sausage, and maybe even call it a banger.

how dare they! parks are intended for children playing not events that practice ancient war techniques.

...eating a sausage in a skirt is an ancient war technique?

(..esplain, lucy...)

no wait... on second thought...
let's just blame that one on the heat or something...

Mike: This stuff is big indeed, and if the good people of our area want to pay for something like that, they should have it. (Bad economy, what bad economy?)

My point regarding change comes out of Woodward nostalgia. I never would have thought they'd stick a fighting match in something like a park...that's why I did some research around the country, to see if it's been done before. Previously, I had equated fighting matches to other venues, but that was my bad.

I would argue that a person has a right to watch/participate in a good, clean fight, in a safe and secure environment, even if it is in a park. It might not be my first choice, but I've seen Fight Club about 28 times after all. And when my kids are old enough, I'll watch the movie with them too, and Woodward park will still be there.

wt,
it's part of an ancient scottish plan to take over the world with strange foods made from the worst part of an animal.

...frankly I feel all scottish foods are based on a dare...

(...Heed! Pants! NOW!...)

WET TOWEL!!!!
I havent heard So I Married an Axe Murderer quoted in a lOOOOOng time!!!
Thanks for giving me a good chuckle in the morning!

this is BS!!!! a show like this shouldn't be shown in a park. after all the squirrels watch this event from the trees, it's bye bye to all the people who will visit the park afterwards. the squirrels are going to be influenced to kick man's a$$!!!

BEWARE OF THE SQUIRRELS!!!!!

YAY Andy Souza for getting it right!

and mdub420... I'm already scared of those squirrels! They're mean... but not as mean as those geese when they see you have bread! Eeeeesh!

There's the old saying of SOMETIMES YOU GOTTA FORGET YOUR HEAD...you can guess the rest. Woodward Park does need a little excitement and I honestly don't think there will be a lot of blood in those events, I do expect a lot of hard hitting action and if it's a hit I expect it to continue. I really would rather see the fights in this city as opposed to going to Lemoore or Coarsegold.

'lola,'
'sweet lola..'

warm hearted mother of 'lil.'

Beautiful
Be Stockinged
Brutal
Barrister(ette)

'...I love you,
he screams
as he rolls to a warehouse
that
has
no derby...
(save the well greased wheels of his tatto'd arms...)

'...I'm really Joisey,

'...That floor is HARD

This poem

sucks...'

(rock on baby girl... rock on.)

To Ms Arbuckel, about your being supprised that it got to this point without anyone complaining about it amazed you. There was one person. Think about it. Out of a half million people, there was one. Is there a better place to have the event? Maybe, but I will be there to support and enjoy the event under the stars. You see, parks are for adults to enjoy also.

I'm going to give Ms. Arbuckle the benefit of the doubt and assume that she means well, but like so many others in this community, her finger couldn't be further from the cultural pulse. MMA is not just popular, it's the fastest growing sport in America. Yes, it can be brutal, but so can football, basketball (MMA fighters have never attacked fans in the arena) and many of the sports we love. The point is not the brutality or the blood. The point is the immense skill and dedication posessed by the fighters. If it was nothing but a "bloodsport" as she called it, it wouldn't be gaining the widespread acceptance that it is. It wouldn't be showing up on CBS on Saturday nights. It wouldn't have higher TV ratings than the World Series! I don't expect everyone to appreciate, or even understand this sport or its appeal, but I also don't expect to be insulted for the fact that I do. And frankly, I'm very disappointed that my City Councilman took a negative stance without researching the subject first.

Im the promoter for the fight and night and day I work on this to be the biggest and best event of the summer, I appreciate all the support and I hope the event does well as I promise more to come. Edcuation is the key and I have made it a mission with all the press and news I do to educate the public on mma. If anyone has questions or issues im always available at rickmirigian@aol.com

My understanding of Woodward Park is that it was to be a non-commercial bird sanctuary. This was in Woodward's will which granted the money which was eventually used for Woodward Park. There might be some activities that could be in a gray area, whether or not they are commercial...but I think a cage fight or MML would be hard to label non-commercial.

I'm really surprised at the irrelevant and mocking nature of most of these posts.

As to the intended uses of Woodward's grant money... yes a non-commercial bird sanctuary but also for non-profit entertainment. On that point this is certainly not a gray area.

Whether or not MMA is appropriate is completely beside the point. Was it a non-profit event? I doubt it. I know I didn't have to pay to attend Hamlet the same night... not in money anyhow. I just had to tolerate all the fight-goers screaming, booing, shouting "Hamlet sucks!!!", and a number of other profanities in the middle of the play as they were leaving their event. We went in celebration of our friend's birthday, attending with his wife and three young daughters. I had not heard about the event until I caught it on the news 2 hours prior to the play.

I have nothing bad to say about these fights as a form of entertainment. I enjoy them myself and respect them as an art and a science.

I'm not happy about the event being booked so close as to be roaring over the play. But the issue is that these uses are clearly outside of Woodward's intended uses of his grant to us. I would hope my wishes be respected if I were to make such a generous contribution after I pass. Would it be appropriate to direct the donations of a pro-lifer to an abortion clinic? No. No matter what your position. If the use is outside of what the benefactor explicitly outlined it to be used for, then it is wrong.

All of this mudslinging is far from the point. Non-profit uses!!! The many self-less... Woodward and all those of the Woodward Shakespeare Festival who have worked to put on Hamlet free of charge..... this is a grave disrespect to them. A disrespect not because it was a fight... but because it was for profit; contrary to Woodward's wishes and a disruption to the selfless efforts of Woodward Shakespeare Festival.