Press Release – Landon Showalter’s nickname says it all: “The Show.”
Win or lose, Showalter’s exciting fighting style always entertains.
With more than 30 bouts to his credit, Showalter, a native of Arlington, Washington, has competed professional in mixed martial arts for nearly a decade. His latest bout will be against Justin “Dangerous” Davis in the main event at CageSport XIII at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma on Feb. 19.
“I’m looking forward to a fun, tough fight,” said Showalter, a former North American Muay Thai and the North American Pankration champion. “I always enjoy a good brawl. I’m hoping for fireworks and, of course, to be victorious.”
Despite “dabbling a little” in traditional martial arts as a child, Showalter didn’t discover MMA until his early 20s.
“I had a very troubled childhood and got into a lot of stuff as a kid,” said the 34-year-old Showalter. “I had a kid at the age of 19 and was going through a divorce at 22. I wanted a positive outlet so I got involved in MMA.”
Hooked from the start, Showalter turned pro a few years after taking up the sport – his introduction, however, was a baptism by fire.
“I took a fight with Robbie Lawler on 12 hours notice,” said Showalter about his 2001 bout against Lawler, a former UFC fighter and the last man to hold the Elite XC middleweight championship. “I drove to California and got my butt kicked, lesson learned.”
Hardily deterred, the setback did nothing, but fuel Showalter’s desire to improve in the sport.
A self-described “sprawl and brawler,” Showalter has deservingly gained a reputation as someone who doesn’t back down from a challenger, willing to step into the ring with any fighter as evident by a resume that features fights against top UFC talents Dennis Hallman, Pete Sell, Chris Leben, Matt Lindland, Drew Fickett, Brad Blackburn and Steve Bruno.
“My most memorable bout I guess was my third war with Leben,” said Showalter, who holds victories over Fickett and Bruno. “Again I took the fight on only six days notice. It taught me a lot about how much heart I had.”
In addition to competing in MMA, Showalter also teaches the sport as the owner and head trainer of the Arlington Kickboxing Academy.
“There has never been an MMA gym here just taekwondo,” said Showalter, a graduate of Arlington High School. “I was a punk and screwed around here and wanted to give back to my home town in a positive manner. It has thrived ever since. There’s not a lot going on here for the kids so it’s a good place for them so they don’t get into trouble.”
CAGESPORT XIII FIGHT CARD
Landon Showalter vs. Justin Davis
Brad Blackburn vs. Chris Ensley
Bryan Caraway vs. Shorty Wiekel
Tyson Johnson vs. Matt Coble
Julian Erosa vs. Tyrone Angolia
Anthony Hamilton vs. Jared Torgeson
Kyle Welch vs. Mike Riddell
Natalie Evans vs. TBD
TICKETS
Tickets are available at the Emerald Queen Casino box office 1-888-831-7655 and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Or online at www.ticketmaster.com
Ticket Prices: *$100 – $55 – $35
Get up to date information at: www.Halquistproductions.com
For more information or fighter interviews contact event coordinator Marin McCauley at (253) 486-2141
* Includes VIP Party 5:00-7:00 pm at the Bridge Night Club. For food and drink specials.
ABOUT CAGESPORT MMA EVENT
What: CageSport MMA
Where: Emerald Queen Casino’s I-5 Showroom
When: February 19, 2011
Time: Event starts at 7:00 P.M. Doors open at 6:00 P.M.