The gloves will come off, so to speak, this weekend in Poarch as Warrior Promotions presents “War 2,” a mixed martial arts cage-fighting event being held tonight at the Poarch Wellness and Activities Center.

Justin Ramer, Stephen Mathews and Kayleb Coleman, members of Atmore’s Team Titan MMA group, will fight in the event alongside participants from all over the south.

Warrior Promotions CEO, and Team Titan co-founder Craig Helton said he and Warrior Promotions President and Team Titan co-founder Jim Jernigan have been working diligently to grow the popular sport in the Atmore area.

“This is our second of hopefully many events to come,” Helton said. “We have formed our own athletic commission for the tribe. We have put on the first sanctioned MMA events on the PCI reservation.”

Helton said his hopes are the new commission will help local fighters stay competitive with other areas in the state, as Alabama has recently formed their own commission.

“With the commission in place now, we are definitely looking to try and grow the sport in our area,” he said. “We are trying to do our part to promote the sport in a positive way and competitive with others in the state and area.”

Fighters in tonight’s event participated in weigh ins Friday afternoon and evening at the pool at Wind Creek Casino and Hotel and will begin competitions tonight at 7 p.m. with the doors opening at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the event are available at $25 each for general admission and $50 for VIP seats.

Helton said he hopes a large crowd will come out to support the local fighters and perhaphs get a first-hand experience of a sport many people may not be as farmiliar with as more traditional athletic events.