Extreme Challenge tourney full of young talent
HAYWARD, Wis. -- Over the years, the Extreme Challenge 8-man tourney at LCO Casino has helped discover some of the sport’s top stars. In EC 21 it was Matt Hughes and Dennis Hallman; In EC 29 Hughes was back, along with Dave Menne, Joe Doerksen, LaVerne Clark and Chris Lytle; In EC 63 it was Brock Larson and Ryan McGivern.

The EC 68 event, scheduled July 15, will feature an 8-man welterweight tourney with a field that has combined to win 48 bouts, while losing only 12. "We’re hoping to find the next Matt Hughes," says promoter Monte Cox. "We did it before, so who’s to say we can’t do it again?" Headlining the show is a battle between Jamie Toney (6-2) and UFC veteran Brian Gassaway (21-14). But, the tourney always seems to steal the show. "This year, we’ll do the first two rounds... then, the two finalists will return to fight for the title on Aug. 26," Cox explained.

The tourney features: Chad Reiner (10-0) of Omaha, Nebraska; Dustin Hazlette (5-2) of Huntington, W.V.; Victor Moreno (16-5) of Des Moines, Iowa; Bobby Voelker (5-1) of Kansas City, Mo.; Mark Bear (6-4) of Tama, Iowa; Justin Wilcox (1-0) of Erie, Pa.; Nick Sorg (4-0) of Findlay, Ohio; and Edward O’Daniel (1-0) of Dayton, Ohio. Tickets are available at LCO Casino. Check out the website at www.lcocasino.com. Special guests include former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver; current UFC star Jorge Gurgel, former UFC middleweight champion Dave Menne and former UFC heavyweight standout Andre Roberts.
 
Extreme Challenge 68
July 15, LCO Casino, Hayward, Wis.
 
Main Event
Jamie Toney (6-2) vs. Brian Gassaway (21-14)
 
8-man Welterweight Tournament
Bracket A
Victor Moreno (16-5) vs. Nick Sorg (4-0)
Mark Bear (6-4) vs. Dustin Hazlette (5-2)
Bracket B
Bobby Voelker (5-1) vs. Justin Wilcox (1-0)
Edward O’Daniel (1-0) vs. Chad Reiner (10-0)
 
Alternate Bout
Jason Loucke (3-0) Bettendorf, Iowa vs. Mike Cardosa (0-0) Carlsbad, Calif.
 
Special appearances
Jens Pulver, former UFC lightweight champion
Jorge Gurgel, UFC vet, Ultimate Fighter TV
Dave Menne, former UFC middleweight champion
Andre Roberts, 4-time UFC standout