So as many as you know I have attended over 100 live MMA events. However nothing stands out in my mind like the events that took place at Casino Morongo in Cabazon, California. In 2002 MMA was really starting to pick up in southern California. Between KOTC , Cobra Challenge, and other events it seemed like there was an event once a month. Many of those events were local talent that was great to watch but sometimes lacked that big event feel. One day in early 2002 I saw a tv commercial for an event called Ultimate Athelete that was taking place at a Indian casino about an hour from me. Taking a look at the card names like Hallman, Southworth, Marsh, and Brink brought a sense that this might be a fun local event with a big event feel. So I called up my friend Joe and minutes later ordered tickets. They were the ringside seats and like all sections of the arena/tent were first come first serve seating.
So the day of the event comes and we arrive at casino about an hour early to get in line for the best seats we can get. As we approach the tent we notice a line that we get into. After waiting in line for a minute or so I start to notice a large group of Mongols bikers well over 100 get in line behind me. At the time I had no idea who they were and was used to wild crowds at those early events anyway. So I started talking with a couple of them and find out they are friends of Rick Slaton. Rick was a rough looking fully tattooed fighter from San Diego. I had seen him around many times at other events and from all reports was a good guy with a rough past. I didn't think much of it and they began opening doors and putting us all through metal detectors. Then I heard "all guests of Rick please come this way". That's when things started to not feel quite right. I watched the bikers get escorted though a back entrance at the event that had no security or metal detector. This put me on alert.
We entered the arena and took are seats front row next to the ring. Shortly after sitting Rampage and Debbie Purcell sat in the seats Right next to us. I was pumped and ready for a great night of MMA. The event started and several of the fights went off and everything was great. Then it was time for Rick's fight with Leo Pavlushkin. This is when things went down hill. Right before the fight one of the mongols came over to the side of the ring and stood right in front of me. Now I was not to happy to have a person standing 2 feet in front of me blocking my view. Right as I was about to say something I noticed a 12" blade on his belt. I was now wondering why he was there and how they let him in with this knife. I slowly got up and went to find a security guard and see what was the deal. When I found one he told me "what do you want me to do" frustrated I went back to my seat.
The fight started and Rick hit Leo with a knee to the midsection. You could hear the anger and tension in the crowd. At this time I told Joe keep an eye out shit could go down. A minute later there was a second low blow and that was it for the Mongols in attendance. One threw a beer at the ring as boos rang out. Well the beer hit a fan in the front row and he made the mistake of sending his drink back at the crowd. I watched as the mongol in front of me walked over to the fan pulled out his knife and stabbed him. This set off chaos with mongols charging the ring attacking anyone in their way. Rick took the mic and pleaded for his "brothers" to stop. It was to no avail and as the chairs began to fly Joe and I ran for the exit. We stayed outside for a few minutes as it seemed to calm down. I remember thinking what the hell just happened and is the event cancelled? Well I decided to go back and find out. I entered the tent and there were chairs everywhere. I remember a guy on the floor in very bad shape being worked on and several other people beat and bloody. I went to my chair and saw a new event beanie on my chair. I picked it up only to have it be soaked in blood. Shortly after that they announced the event cancelled and we left. We just avoided the cops storming the place with m-16s. On the way out there must have been 100 police cars on the 10 freeway heading in for back up.
I often wondered what if I was sitting 40 ft to my right.
Here is another media report
Biker's riot, stab at least one fan, during MMA show in California - TWNPNews.com Headline
Rick Slaton
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5lJIxRs5WjI
Just in case people don't believe
Joe and I on the far right
So the day of the event comes and we arrive at casino about an hour early to get in line for the best seats we can get. As we approach the tent we notice a line that we get into. After waiting in line for a minute or so I start to notice a large group of Mongols bikers well over 100 get in line behind me. At the time I had no idea who they were and was used to wild crowds at those early events anyway. So I started talking with a couple of them and find out they are friends of Rick Slaton. Rick was a rough looking fully tattooed fighter from San Diego. I had seen him around many times at other events and from all reports was a good guy with a rough past. I didn't think much of it and they began opening doors and putting us all through metal detectors. Then I heard "all guests of Rick please come this way". That's when things started to not feel quite right. I watched the bikers get escorted though a back entrance at the event that had no security or metal detector. This put me on alert.
We entered the arena and took are seats front row next to the ring. Shortly after sitting Rampage and Debbie Purcell sat in the seats Right next to us. I was pumped and ready for a great night of MMA. The event started and several of the fights went off and everything was great. Then it was time for Rick's fight with Leo Pavlushkin. This is when things went down hill. Right before the fight one of the mongols came over to the side of the ring and stood right in front of me. Now I was not to happy to have a person standing 2 feet in front of me blocking my view. Right as I was about to say something I noticed a 12" blade on his belt. I was now wondering why he was there and how they let him in with this knife. I slowly got up and went to find a security guard and see what was the deal. When I found one he told me "what do you want me to do" frustrated I went back to my seat.
The fight started and Rick hit Leo with a knee to the midsection. You could hear the anger and tension in the crowd. At this time I told Joe keep an eye out shit could go down. A minute later there was a second low blow and that was it for the Mongols in attendance. One threw a beer at the ring as boos rang out. Well the beer hit a fan in the front row and he made the mistake of sending his drink back at the crowd. I watched as the mongol in front of me walked over to the fan pulled out his knife and stabbed him. This set off chaos with mongols charging the ring attacking anyone in their way. Rick took the mic and pleaded for his "brothers" to stop. It was to no avail and as the chairs began to fly Joe and I ran for the exit. We stayed outside for a few minutes as it seemed to calm down. I remember thinking what the hell just happened and is the event cancelled? Well I decided to go back and find out. I entered the tent and there were chairs everywhere. I remember a guy on the floor in very bad shape being worked on and several other people beat and bloody. I went to my chair and saw a new event beanie on my chair. I picked it up only to have it be soaked in blood. Shortly after that they announced the event cancelled and we left. We just avoided the cops storming the place with m-16s. On the way out there must have been 100 police cars on the 10 freeway heading in for back up.
I often wondered what if I was sitting 40 ft to my right.
Here is another media report
Biker's riot, stab at least one fan, during MMA show in California - TWNPNews.com Headline
Rick Slaton
View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5lJIxRs5WjI
Just in case people don't believe
Joe and I on the far right
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