Will Fox

Holly "The Preacher's Daughter" Holm

Sure, it’s a damn shame that the UFC may never do a show in Albuquerque. After all, Duke City has some of the most committed fight fans on earth. On the flipside, we’ve got some of the best fighters as well, with both home-grown talent and fighters hat have immigrated here to train at Jackson/Winkeljohn MMA, as well as some of the other gyms, like FIT NHB. That adds up to local Mixed Martial Arts events stacked with top caliber talent, fighters that may very soon be competing at the sport’s highest level.

Will Fox

Clint Roberts

Case in point: Friday, Dec. 6, at the Route 66 Casino, the Fresquez Productions’ “Havoc” fight card, featuring Holly Holm vs Angela Hayes at bantamweight (135 lbs). The UFC has already expressed interest in Holm, and UFC president Dana White has acknowledge to being pestered to the point of desperation with questions about when the organization will sign her. Holm is being touted by many fans and media as a potential solution to Ronda Rousey's dominance.

Thus far, no opponent has escaped the first round without tapping to an armbar, much less beaten the UFC champion. Holm, a world champion boxer, and, according to her coach Mike Winkeljohn a “better kickboxer” is a fearsome striker, who has never been taken down or threatened on the ground in five professional MMA fights. But five of her opponent’s six wins are by submission, which means this could finally be the time Holm is tested on the ground. And we have the opportunity to see what happens, live. As soon as Holm gets picked up by the UFC, you might not be able to see her fight in Albuquerque ever again, so take advantage!

Also on the card, flyweight Nick Urso, a Jackson/Winkeljohn product like Holm. SouthWestFightNews notes, “Urso’s combination of speed, technique and natural talent has placed his name front-and-center in the discussion of who is New Mexico’s best fighter not-signed by a major MMA promotion.”

Urso will be fighting Jesus Urbina of Bushido MMA in El Paso. Again, SouthWestFightNews: “Urbina is very tough in all areas of MMA as he can trade punches in and outside of the pocket, he is very good at scrambling in his defensive grappling and he can finish fights when he gets top position on the mat. All of those compliments only accent his respected wrestling game; Urbina in fact has a collegiate wrestling background. “

Another fighter on the card we should be exited to see is Jackson/Winkeljohn welterweight (170 lbs) Clint Roberts, who will fight Eddie Gamboa, also of El Paso’s Bushido MMA. Roberts is a powerful, well-rounded fighter who would likely be making big waves by now if he didn’t keep getting injured. Most recently: a broken hand suffered in his last fight. It the knockout win, he ended up breaking his hand on his opponents’ head.

Many other local prospects will be fighting as well, including Cody East, Chuck Pieritz, Gabriel Benitez, Ricky Esquibel, and Mike Benefiel. The six-bout main card is preceded by a five-fight amateur undercard, which starts at seven. The public is invited to attend the weigh-in on Thursday at 2 pm, at the Route 66 Casino.

Tickets can be purchased online. For info, call 505-884-7484, or visit the Fresquez Productions website.

Last night the APS School Board voted 5 to 2 against a proposal to send parents letters informing them they have a right to opt out of certain standardized testing for their children. The controversial testing has been hotly protested by teachers and parents of late.

The Second Judicial District Court provided a preliminary injunction for UNMH employees who feel that mandating flu shots under threat of discliplinary action up to and including termination is bogus. But this stay will only protect UNMH employees until the UNM Labor Management Relations Board hearing on Dec. 12.

Three days later, more questions than answers exist in the Shaine Sherrell shooting. Sherrell was shot by at least two APD officers during a domestic violence call, and he is still undergoing surgeries for gunshot wounds.

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Outpost Performance Space hosts Yerba Buena member and all-around excellent percussionist Pedrito Martinez for an evening of Afro-Cuban music. Martinez performs with a multinational ensemble called the Pedrito Martinez Group. The group includes Peruvian drummer Jhair Salas, Venezuelan bassist Alvaro Benavides and Cuban keyboardist Ariacne Trujillo. Pedrito’s current Nueva York residency has resulted in heaps of hybridization and garnered rave reviews from such divergent artists as Steve Gadd and Taj Mahal. Although the current combo still bases much of their work on rumba and bata rhythms—entwined with vocalizations derived from the practice of Yoruba Santeria—they've also been influenced by funk; Old Gregg would heartily recommend this shouldn't-miss concert. Plus, you can dance to this stuff, which beats drinking Bailey’s and doing watercolors any day of the week. So, tonight at 7:30pm, strut over to Outpost (210 Yale SE). Tickets to the all-ages concert range from 15 to 20 clams. Groovy, man. Outpost Performance Space • Thu Dec 5 • 7:30pm • $20 • View on Alibi calendar