- Tommy Benson (left) squares off against Jerald Williams (right) at Rumble at the Roundhouse 2. (Photo courtesy of Mallory Mejia)
On the anniversary of our nation’s darkest hour, MMA Gospel was a guest of Jim Jackson and Nic Thompson at the historic Walter Payton’s Roundhouse in Aurora, IL. This event, Rumble at the Roundhouse 2 (RRH2), was the third offering of the fledgling Chicago based Supreme Promotions. It was a very solid showing, especially for a promotion with only a year of experience, and brought some very unique concepts to the table. The venue (a micro brewery, restaurant, and bar built in an old high-end train station) was amazing. After walking in through the micro-brewery to the upscale jazz bar, the fans enter an open courtyard where they either sit on the flat topped stone work, the well manicured grass, at the full service bar near the entrance, or, for VIP ticket holders, at one of several high chaired tables. A full wait staff serves the fans, meaning they have no need to risk missing any of the action when it’s time for another beer. Around the edge of the venue were the booths for Supreme’s multitude of local sponsors including a display with a BMW and three custom Harleys. In the center of the courtyard is a raised hexagonal gazebo where Supreme placed a six-sided cage. That’s where the fairy tale venue met reality. The gazebo was small, which means the fighters had to compete in a tiny hexagonal cage that was 14 feet at the most. Also, the gazebo floor was so high that when the fight hit the ground, fans were forced to stand in order to see even a glimpse of the action. Supreme made sure that judges, camera men, and photographers were positioned behind the gazebo’s posts, keeping them out of the fans line of view, but the small size of the gazebo left the area looking a bit cluttered. There were also a few issues with the officials, record keeping, and matchmaking for the promotion. MOMMIE has the details. Continue reading »
