Western Bureau:

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which has become the latest craze among fight fans is poised to invade Montego Bay tonight at 7 p.m., when Jamaica play host to Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago in what promises to be a fierce eight-fight card at the scenic Cornwall Room, at the Half Moon Convention Centre.

While the list of opposing combatants have not yet been released, preparation for the event, which is being staged jointly by The Twisted Kilt Irish Pub and Harley Davidson (Jamaica), is now well on the way as the fight venue is currently being given a Las Vegas-styled look to meet the occasion.

Ready to go

"Our 20x20 feet cage has already arrived in the island and the fighters have all signed up so we are basically ready to go," said Courtney Wallace, the media liaison officer for the organisers. "The Cornwall Room theatre is being transformed into a magnificent Vegas-type grand auditorium and we are looking forward to one 'helluva' event."

MMA, a mixture of martial arts disciplines such as muay thai, Brazilian ju jitsu, judo, wrestling, boxing and tae kwondo, has become quite popular in the United States in recent years and is now a major rival to boxing.

Because of its fast-paced action, which includes kicking, punching and various grappling techniques, it is now a major pay-per-view event in America, Europe and Asia.

"The MMA pay-per-view that the Twisted Kilt features, are a consistent sell-out," said Wallace. "Literally, it is a full throttle combat sport with an expansive and large consumer demographic. That is why Harley Davidson Jamaica and The Twisted Kilt have partnered to create this unique and entertaining evening of drinks, food, friends and fights."

Because of the long and sustained rivalry Jamaica and Trinidad have had over the years in football, cricket, netball and motorsports, the organisers of this MMA event are hoping it will signal the start of another rivalry between these two Caribbean countries in another internationally renowned sporting discipline.

Soundly whipped

"Whether it is football, cricket, boxing or track and field, Jamaica versus Trinidad and Tobago is one battle neither country wants to lose,' said Wallace. "Last year, the Trinidad boxing team, on its way to a camp in Cuba, stopped in Jamaica and were soundly whipped."

While the names of the fighters who will be climbing into the octagon have not yet been released, indications are that a number of prominent faces from the pay-per-view circuit could be in the line-up. In fact, just the growing global impact of the sports is expected to make it special.

"Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It is an art that allows all fighters to fight all comers regardless of which martial art they use," stated Wallace. "It has rivaled boxing as the gladiator sport of the 21st century and is supported by the success of the pay-per-views, merchandise sales and television ratings.'