MMA event at Vernon Curling Club July 6 (Raja Kler photo)

By Pete McIntyre

mixed martial arts

MMA makes big return to Vernon, sold-out event

Jul 12, 2024 | 6:00 AM

A local promoter says more mixed martial events will be held in Vernon after a very successful card last weekend.

Raja and Alisha Kler put on The Okanagan Fighting Championship July 6 at the Vernon Curling Club.

Raja told Vernon Matters, the 13-bout event was a huge success despite the heat.

“The turn-out was fantastic, it was a complete sell-out, and I couldn’t be happier with the energy of the crowd. They were chanting the fighter’s names, especially the local fighter’s names. It was crazy,” Kler said.

More than 900 fans took in the event.

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Kler said the local fighters won all their bouts including Rylie Marchand who improved to 5-1.

“The hometown fighters were like the hometown heros,” Kler remarked.

Hometown winner: Rylie Marchand after her win in Vernon (submitted photo)

The 23-year-old Marchand, who fights out of Unity MMA and Kickboxing in Vernon, won in the first round by RNC (rear naked choke).

As well Ethan Northcott (Unity MMA and Kickboxing) made his debut and won his match by arm bar in the last 10 seconds of his fight.

Kler said he and his wife will be scheduling more MMA events in Vernon.

“We’re going to do this on a regular basis. Probably one or two events a year. The next one probably will be in the spring of 2025,” Kler said.