Dan Spohn meets Marcus Finch this Friday in Columbus

Sports fans will flock to Ohio’s capital city this weekend for the 2015 edition of the Arnold Sports Festival, and as always, mixed martial arts will be a major feature of the weekend’s festivities.

In addition to amateur and professional boxing and a full martial arts festival featuring disciplines from around the world, one of the centerpieces of the event is always the MMA Festival at the LC Pavilion in the Arena District on Friday night. This year, the event will be promoted under the Absolute Cage Fighting banner and will feature professional fighters Dan Spohn (9-4) and Marcus Finch (8-8) in the main event.

Spohn is a Columbus native and black belt in traditional martial arts. A veteran of The Ultimate Fighter 19, Spohn trains at the Ronin Training Center in Grandview. The 30-year-old is looking to continue his winning ways, as he has won three of his last four bouts via first round submission. Formerly known as a striker, Spohn has become a well-rounded mixed martial artist.

The “Dragon” also holds the fastest knockout in Ultimate Fighter history for his 10-second victory over Tyler King in the preliminary round of TUF 19. His only loss in the last two-plus years was a decision to Patrick Walsh at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale last July.

The 32-year-old Finch is a native of Cincinnati who has had a solid career fighting mostly on the regional level. Five of his eight victories have come via strikes, including a pair of back-to-back sub-minute knockouts in 2012. Known as a durable and well-rounded fighter, he has only been finished once in his 16-fight career, despite facing tough veterans like Josh Clark, Luke Zachrich, and Chris Dempsey, who all have UFC experience.

The co-main event will feature Roufusport/Ronin fighter Corey Meeks (1-0) taking on Christopher Johnson (1-2) in the only other pro bout on the card. Eight amateur bouts are also currently slated for the event.

The current lineup for Absolute Cage Fighting (subject to change):

Pro Bouts:
Daniel Spohn vs Marcus Finch
Corey Meeks vs Christopher Johnson

Amateur Bouts:
R.J. Hickey vs Tommy Metzger
Zach Severance vs Darnelle Alwine
Lisa Skidmore vs Crystal Ceaser
Josh Hampton vs Jason George
Adli Edwards vs Daiib Radwan
Anthony Sagstetter vs Harrison Watkins
Junior Meza vs Matt Thomas
Jairo Perez Dominguez vs DaVaughn Ellis
Spencer Tuttle vs TBD
Keith Speed vs TBD
Karic Cecutti vs TBD

The Arnold Sports Festival takes place March 5-8, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.