GLENDALE — To say Thursday evening’s California Xtreme Fighting event will have a local feel could be an understatement.
Glendale will be well-represented in the ring and in the stands when the CXF emanates from the El Monte Expo Center.
Headlining the 10-fight event will be Glendale’s own Roman “The Emperor” Mitichyan, who is one of four Glendale-trained fighters that will compete in the event.
“It’s gonna be a really good event,” said George Bastrmajyan, who manages the four Glendale-trained fighters on the card and will also likely corner them. “We’re gonna have a great, great card.”
And a healthy Armenian faithful is predicted to turn out and support its fighting brethren.
“Not only Glendale, it’s gonna be a big Armenian community going [from everywhere], Van Nuys, Burbank, Hollywood and Glendale,” said Ando Dermenjyan, who will make his pro debut at the card.
Dermenjyan, Mitichyan, Sako Chivitchyan and Sevak Magakian are all set to fight in three-round contests throughout the night
“We are proud to showcase a card full of some of the highly talented Armenian fighters in Southern California,” said Craig Zimmerman, the co-owner and promoter of CXF. The event will kick off a huge three-day span for a group of Armenian mixed martial artists whose training is centered around Glendale’s Main Event Gym and Glendale Fighting Club, as well as Hayastan Grappling in North Hollywood and Golden Boys Wrestling Club in Van Nuys.
On Saturday, as part of the blockbuster UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 card, both Karo Parisyan and Manny Gamburyan will fight.
And, of course, on Thursday, the aformentioned foursome will take to the ring.
“We have all seven guys working together, it’s helping everyone,” said Bastrmajyan, including Georgi Karakhanyan, who was slated to fight on the CXF card, but was sidelined due to an injury.
A former “The Ultimate Fighter” cast member, the 30-year-old Mitichyan (9-2) is a two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran. He will make his MMA return after nearly 10 months since his last fight.
He’ll do so in a 160-pound bout against Jason Meaders (4-7), after previously fighting at the 170-pound welterweight mark.
“If it goes to the ground, I’ll submit him, if it stays up top, I’m gonna try and knock him out,” Mitichyan said. “I don’t think he’s as skilled as I am.”
