In the world of combative sports there is always one person amongst the action that holds all the power. This person, who hopes to remain faceless and unnoticed throughout the fight, is the referee. Having refereed boxing and kickboxing for over 30 years and then becoming involved with the officiating of mixed martial arts in 1992, Wisconsin native Al Wichgers has become a recognizable face within the fight scene. But that doesn't mean he wants people to start talking about him. "The best thing you can say about a referee is nothing," Wichgers told US Combat Sports. "You are always going to be criticized because there is always someone that thinks you should have done y...

Another impressive performance has put Erik Koch directly in the midst of the featherweight title picture. Routinely stuffing Jonathan Brookins' takedown attempts, Koch earned the unanimous decision on Saturday night on the main card of UFC Fight Night 25 in New Orleans. With his victory over The Ultimate Fighter season 12 champion Koch has now won four straight bouts, two of which have been inside the UFC, and finds himself right behind fellow 145-pounder Chad Mendes in line for a title bout.

Judging upon recent history the other seven participants within the upcoming Bellator middleweight tournament should be weary of "Smile'N" Sam Alvey. Alvey, who hails from Manitowoc, looks to follow in the paths of Ben Askren and Cole Konrad and become the next Wisconsin-born Bellator champion. But up first for Alvey is his toughest opponent to date, a second-degree black belt and the head Jiu-Jitsu instructor of Wand Fight Team, Vitor Vianna.

A new player with a very familiar face will be unveiled to Wisconsin this weekend. Ironworks Training Center, a brand new gym located just north of La Crosse, is set to host its grand opening on Saturday. Hosted by the gym's lead instructor Nick "The Goat" Thompson and co-owners Nick Ammerman, Eric Anderson, and Troy Pellowski, the new facility looks to make a giant splash not only with the Grand Opening over the weekend, but also on the state's fight scene for years to come.

Following an intriguing night of semifinal bouts, the finale of the National Cage Grappling Association has been set. And it should be a good one. Over the weekend, Scott Huston's 360 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy cruised to a victory over Adrian Serrano's Combat Sports Gym by a crushing score of 62-4, while The Red Army used a series of submissions to overcome Waukesha Mixed Martial Arts via a score of 33-28.