Hailey's Lee Anderson, a lean and mean 5-6 and 135 pounds, wasn't satisfied with the result of his Ultimate Cage Fighting (UCF) super heavyweight title fight back on Sept. 26 at Qwest Arena in Boise.
To be sure, 1989 Wood River High graduate Anderson was awarded the victory "on paper," a good victory in his David vs. Goliath battle with 6-9, 375-pound Renegade Ricky Robinson from New Jersey.
Robinson, tired from his early exertions ("he threw me around," said Anderson), didn't answer the bell for the final round and the match essentially ended in a draw, although Superstar Lee said he got the nod "on paper." Anderson said, "But I wasn't happy. I wanted it to be resolved."
He'll get that chance Saturday, Nov. 22 when the UCF "Carnage" Tour visits the Radio Rondevoo on Main Street in Twin Falls for an 11-fight card—the main event a rematch between Little Lee and big Renegade Ricky.
The doors open Saturday at 6 p.m. and fighting begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 but they won't be sold at the door. Call ahead for ticket information to (208) 358-0126.
Fights like the one between Anderson and Robinson will have three rounds, at five minutes per round.
Also due to compete Saturday are Mike Coelho, Anthony Bartlett and Les Schwab's Billy Hussey who are Anderson's students at his Hailey-based self-defense school called USA Grappling. It will be the first-ever fight for Hussey.
But the main event is Little Lee, 37, ("I feel like I'm 20") going against Renegade Ricky, 30.
"It's a grudge match and it should be pretty exciting," said Anderson, who runs a seal coating and asphalt maintenance business locally. "This is probably the only time I'll be competing this close to home."
Anderson, the father of two children, Storm, 14, and Amelia, 9, won his first Extreme Fighting lightweight world championship Dec. 15, 2006 at QWest Arena. Since, he hasn't shied away from stepping up and challenging bigger rivals like Renegade Ricky.
"Ricky knows he was in trouble last time so he has been preparing non-stop for this one," said Anderson. "I expect him to come out full board—he's so explosive, big and strong—and I know I'm going to take punishment early. I'll have to weather the storm. But I'll be going after him.
"And there WILL be a winner this Saturday night."
A professional fighter for over 12 years, Anderson is donating a portion of the fight proceeds to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund and also to Jacob Joel Roach of Twin Falls, who has spinal disease.
He said he has been inspired to donate to fighting cancer since the death of his training partner Dean Heilemann of Twin Falls. "I lost my best friend to cancer. He died of melanoma in 2005," said Anderson.
They are posing back-to-back here, but Renegade Ricky Robinson (left) and Hailey’s Superstar Lee Anderson will battle face-to-face Saturday, Nov. 22 during their super heavyweight title fight, the main event at Twin Falls’ Radio Rondevoo.
