By Justin Troutman
Local Correspondent
FORT SMITH, Ark. —
With the first fight’s anticipation building around the Fort Smith Event Center Saturday at Hit ‘Em Hard Entertainment’s Nite of Champions, Lucas Jackson of Poteau and Justin Knuckles of Greenwood, Ark. prepared to face their first match each together in a spare-no-expense free-for-all.
It takes a special kind of person to take on the fears of that intimidating question, “Do I have what it takes?”
Lucas Jackson and Justin Knuckles definitely figured that out with three three-minute rounds on fight night.
Lucas Jackson is an Oklahoma native whose dedication and hard work is definitely noticeable in his attitude towards life’s obstacles.
“Lucas is an un-cocky stand-up guy,” said Knuckles on fight night. Jackson has been training with Omega Jiu-Jitsu for over three months to get ready for his debut.
“I’m just going out there to take care of business and go home,” said Jackson at the weigh-ins on Friday. Jackson is a full-time oilfield driller. Only time would tell if he has what it takes.
Justin Knuckles had to ask himself that same question. Justin and his dad knew all too well what it was going to take. Knuckles’ dad is a fourth degree black belt from Maryland who moved to Arkansas to help his son pursue a passionate fighting hobby. They both have been training together for about two years out of his dad’s garage. “We’ll train just about anywhere,” said Knuckles.
As the bell rang for round one of the first fight of the night, Jackson and Knuckles began moving towards each other with anxiety and loads of hostility. You could tell both meant business.
A few jabs and kicks were thrown from both sides until Jackson managed to manhandle his opponent to the ground. While Jackson unloaded punches to the face of Knuckles, Knuckles tried to cover up on the floor until the sound of the bell ended the first round.
With the beginning of the second round underway, both sides came out with fists flying. Jackson then bumrushed Knuckles to take him down to the floor.
Knuckles was quick to react and counter the attack from Jackson and he was able to hold Jackson in a guillotine hold until the bell sounded to end the second round.
This was it, last round. Would it be Jackson or Knuckles to have what it took to get the job done?
In the beginning of the third round, it seems as if they may dance the last round out, but they didn’t disappoint. Kicks and punches began to fly until Jackson sprawled Knuckles up into a guillotine choke on the floor with his back up against the cage. Knuckles then broke out on top and commenced to throwing punches to the face of Jackson.
Two minutes and 43 seconds into the last round of the first fight of the night, the referee called it due to a tap out by Lucas Jackson. Knuckles was then proclaimed the winner.
“He is a good kid and a good fighter,” said Jackson after the fight.
It was an exciting, blood thirsty first fight that got everyone in the building’s attention and left them all hungry for more.
For more coverage over Saturday’s Nite of Champions, go to www.mcalesternews.com and look for sports.
