MMA Comes to the Poplar Montana Reservation

On November 7th there will be an MMA amateur fight card in Poplar Montana. It will be the the first such event ever showcased in this small town on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. For more than a year Chips Grainger has been working long and hard hours to diligently organize, finance, and promote this alcohol and drug-free event aimed at the community and especially the youth of Poplar. He has been aided by Dr. Jim Gray a locum tenens who works as a Hospitalist and in the emergency room at the local hospital. Chips and his mother Francine have also held several bake sales to help raise money for this much anticipated event.

Ground N' Pound- live mixed martial arts will be held at the Poplar Cultural Center starting at 7 pm. The octagon
ring will arrive from Billings Montana as well as experienced judges and referees. 13 bouts are planned and possibly a few more.

Chips, age 21, is adamant as he explains that this event is not commercially sponsored but has been put together by himself and members of the community of Poplar. He is far from being rich but he and his mother have personally spent a lot of their hard-earned money toward this endeavor. They have even purchased fighting gloves and trophies to award the contestants.

"And even though it involves tough MMA bouts this event will be presented as a positive thing. It will expose young
people and the community to an amateur exhibition of martial arts. These bouts will showcase the skills and discipline needed to be successful at this level."

Poplar, a small town on the eastern plains of Montana has long experienced drug and alcohol problems as well as poor self-esteem exhibited by the youth who reside there. Chips is hopeful that this event will help turn things around.

Chips, who will also compete in the octagon that night, summed it all up.

"It is alcohol and drug free. Perhaps some young people will come away from this with positive role models to look up to."

If you wish to donate contact this writer via this website: associatedcontent.com/georgechavez

Fight card: 3 Rounds-2 minutes duration is as follows:

Main Event-Jim Gray(155 pounds) vs Matt Ayers(155)

Co-Main Event- Jay Brugh(330) vs Matt Azure(300)

Chips Grainger(245) vs Dion Hopkinz(240)

Mitchell Lovan(300) vs Kevin Ackerman(300)

Jim Youpee(205) vs Daniel Schauer(216)

Brandon Brien(162) vs William Chopper(162)

Chauncey Elk(265) vs Chad Nelligan(210)

Ryan Beston(247) vs Connor Gourneau(205)

Adam Yellowowl(265) vs Cole Bigleggins(210)

Adrien Mattuck(170) vs Mickey Clark(175)

Donovan Martell(209) vs Hunter Walkingeagle(185)

Cody Weinberger(240) vs Jared Standing(240)

Aknowledgment of sponsors/contributors:

TJ's-Tommy Atkinson (sponsor-$100.00)
The Buckhorn-Mert Marottek (sponsor-$100.00)
Walley's-Wally Bastin (sponsor-$100.00)
Dallas Oconnor-(Sponsor-$100.00)
Tandes-Brad Tandes (Sponsor-$100.00)
Fort Peck Journal-Bonnie Red Elk-(25$) and free ad space
Donna Buckles-Whitmer (sponsor-$20.00)
A.T. Stafne (sponsor-$20.00)

Francine Grainger (table-$200.00)
Lindy & Frostees girls (table-$200.00)
Mary Failing & Dee Atanasu (table-$200.00)
Jake Reidiger (table-$200.00)
Dewey and Combsy (table-$200.00)

Donations/help: Kelly Holmes, Tiki Crowe, Veronica Brown, Pam Turnbaugh, Grandma Francis Nation, Emery Lester, RJ Loegering, Grandma Mavis Loegering, Gina Thompson, Mary Fredderick, George Chavez, Cody Weinberger, NEMHS Poplar Community Hospital, Bubz Whitetail, Lanette Trottier.