News
Thomas Overcomes Stout in War in the Yard
“War in the Yard” offered guests at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino a full-contact mixed martial arts (MMA) event Saturday, Aug. 8. Two-time UFC veteran Ryan Thomas of Danville, Ill. and Ryan Stout of Piqua, Ohio were placed against each other in the first of two main events.
Thomas, a collegiate wrestler at Eastern Illinois University, is working his way back up to the UFC ranks. His last bout was in Las Vegas in the UFC 91 in November 2008.
“I’ve wrestled my whole life and after our college program got cut, I wanted to stay in the sport, so I moved into MMA,” said Thomas prior to the fight. “I won 10 fights in a row, and I’m using this fight tonight to get back on track. They’ve (UFC) told me if I get a couple of wins, that will get me back, and this is a good show to do it in. Ryan Stout looks good, so if I can stop him, it will be a nice victory for me. My last two fights were in front of 18,000 people, so I’m not really too nervous heading into the event. I think the other guy (Stout) has more pressure on him because he is more local.”
Stout has fought as far away as Japan, but he made his return to East Central Indiana with 10 fights on Indiana soil prior to his bout against Thomas.
“I’ve never done anything else, and as soon as I turned 18, I went pro,” said Stout. “I have a lot of family here tonight, so I should have a good following. I know Ryan (Thomas) has fought at the top level in this sport, and if you are in collegiate sports, then you know what you are doing. I know I don’t have an easy fight, and I have a lot of respect for him.”
The bout between Thomas and Stout was intense from the start. Thomas had Stout on the run early, but Stout took Thomas down twice before the two hit the mat tangled together. Just one minute and 39 seconds into the match, Thomas was declared the winner by Referee John Manley in a triangle hold.
“I got him (Stout) in an arm bar and that’s the last thing I thought I’d get was a submission against him,” said Thomas. “He is a beast on the ground, and he’ll be back.”
Stout was visibly disappointed in the outcome.
“I feel like I let myself down and my fans,” said Stout. “But with the support of my family and friends, I’ll be back. I’ve been fighting in this state for 11 years, and it’s awesome to see this sport get this big.”
The entire “War in the Yard” event is available in pay-per-view format through www.hoosierpark.com and then by clicking on the icon on the homepage about the fight. The cost to view all bouts is $19.95 and the program will be available for four days following the event.
Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind. is central Indiana’s premier entertainment destination, featuring 2,000 electronic gaming devices; Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing; and wholecard simulcasting. Hoosier Park Racing & Casino is a wholly owned property of Centaur Gaming, which also owns and operates Fortune Valley Hotel and Casino in Central City, Colo., and is working to develop Valley View Downs in western Pennsylvania. Hoosier Park also provides simulcast-wagering facilities in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Merrillville, Ind. For more information, visit www.hoosierpark.com.
-END-
