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For anyone still lamenting the absence of a pro hockey team in this city — and the corresponding lack of hitting — there's a much cheaper, even more violent alternative happening tonight: War of the Warriors, which, er, kicks off at Sports Lodge (19310 East 50th Terrace, Independence). The mixed-martial-arts fight card includes a squadron of homegrown bruisers, including 135-pound Trevor Nelson, 155-pound Jeff Sveum, 205-pound John Ott, and a Vin Diesel-looking heavyweight named Jesse Pringle, all looking to stay conscious long enough to pummel other pissed-off regional contenders. The guys with the best submission moves will earn not just more street cred but also, perhaps, cool nicknames. For the latter, look no further than Chad "The Grinder" Reiner, a pro fighter from Omaha who appears tonight as a special guest. Admission is $20; doors open at 6 p.m., with the first punch at 7:30 p.m. That's plenty of time to meet Reiner, ogle the ring girls and brace for real hooligan action. For tickets or more information, call 816-522-0022 or 913-207-4849 or see myspace.com/cqcsports.
Sat., March 21; Sun., March 22; Sat., May 2; Sat., June 6; Sat., July 11; Sat., Aug. 15; Sat., Oct. 24, 2009