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Throw-downs, flying kicks and knockouts are expected as Bermuda hosts a night of no holds-barred fight action next month.

A team of fighters from Florida are flying in for the Bermuda Fight Fest which will include kickboxing and San Shou - full contact mixed martial arts - bouts.

"Bermuda's really ready for this. With the popularity of UFC, people like blood, they like knockouts and that is what they are going to get," said organizer Garon Wilkinson, president of the Bermuda San Shou Association.

It's two years since the association held its first 'fight night' in front of a packed Number One Shed.

And Wilkinson said the fighters, many of whom have gone on to compete internationally, were keen to show Bermuda what they could do.

"I always love fighting at home. It's great to have the opportunity to show Bermuda exactly how hard we have worked and how skillful we have become."

He said the event on November 1 would differ from some of the other local fight nights.

"I think one thing we can say about all our athletes is that they have all prepared extensively for this.

"They are martial arts fighters who have trained properly for this event. It won't be like some of those events where the guys run out of steam in 30 seconds."

The action should also be more explosive than the average boxing night with flying kicks, throw downs and punches all part of the San Shou fighters repertoire.

"I don't know if you remember from last time Sentwali Woolridge slammed his opponent into the mat twice. The third time he didn't get up."

It's that kind of sport.

And for that reason the preparation and training regimen for the Bermuda fighters is intense.

As well as the beach sparring, the running, the hopping up the steps of the National Stadium, the martial arts skills training and the weightlifting, the most crucial part of their regime is purely and simply - full on fighting.

"The only way you can really recreate the atmosphere of a fight is to fight. You have to spar at 100 per cent."

Wilkinson's own training regime was cut short last weekend when his brother Gabriel, goalkeeper for Somerset Eagles, was badly injured in a collision during a match.

Gabriel is still in hospital in Boston and Garon was out visiting him this week.

He said it was tough to concentrate on preparing for and organizing the event with his brother so badly hurt.

But he insisted Gabriel, who helped the team with their strength training wouldw ant him to fight.

Also getting in the ring for Bermuda Fight Fest are Rayal Bowen, Jashun Thomas, Lucian Morales, Khalid Pitcher, Sentwali Woolridge, Jermal Woolridge and kickboxer Marcus Husbands, who trains with Ray Sillar at Skipper Ingham's gym.

They will be up against a team of fighters from a Kung Fu academy in Florida.

The night will also feature demos from the Wing Lam Kung Fu School and music from Bermuda Tri reggae/hip-hop band. Tickets, priced $40, are available at Pro Shop, Peoples, Causeway Shell and Steel City Clothing in Somerset.

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