Support local veterans by attending the UFC tournament in Las Vegas headlined by Idaho Falls MMA fighter Weston Barnes. Learn how you can contribute and make a difference for the men and women in uniform.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 11 | UFC tournament called Operation Knockout in Las Vegas |
Idaho Falls MMA fighter Weston Barnes will be headlining the tournament alongside UFC champion John Valentine. The event, organized by Randy Courture, aims to raise funds for local veterans. Barnes, a retired MMA fighter, decided to come out of retirement to compete in this tournament as a way to give back to the community. The match will take place at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas. Barnes and Valentine will be participating in a 9-minute match using a form of ju-jitsu called grappling. Barnes is dedicating the fight to his coach, a sergeant in the Army, and his father, a Vietnam veteran who passed away in 2013. To support the cause, individuals can purchase tickets or make a donation. Every contribution makes a difference for the men and women in uniform.
As Weston Barnes prepares for a grappling tournament in Las Vegas, he’s not only focused on the competition but also on fighting for a cause. Barnes, the owner of Team Lionheart MMA in Idaho Falls, will be headlining a UFC tournament called Operation Knockout alongside UFC champion John Valentine. The event, organized by Randy Courture, aims to raise funds for local veterans. Barnes, a retired MMA fighter, decided to come out of retirement to compete in this tournament as a way to give back to the community. The match will take place on November 11 at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas.
Barnes and Valentine will be participating in a 9-minute match using a form of ju-jitsu called grappling. Both fighters have been friends for a while, and Valentine reached out to Barnes about the tournament. Barnes, always looking for ways to support causes he cares about, immediately agreed to participate.
The cause of supporting local veterans is personal to Barnes, as he has close connections to the military. One of his coaches is a sergeant in the Army who was injured by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Barnes is dedicating the fight to him and his father, a Vietnam veteran who passed away in 2013. Barnes fought professionally for 11 years and has won several awards, but his proudest accomplishment was winning a fight in Utah just days after his mother’s passing. He describes feeling his mother’s presence during the fight and believes that becoming a professional fighter has been a metaphor for his own life.
To contribute to the cause, individuals can purchase tickets to the event or make a donation. There are different ticket packages available, including a VIP package that grants access to a red carpet event with celebrities. Barnes encourages people to donate whatever they can, even if it’s just a small amount, as every contribution makes a difference for the men and women in uniform. For more information on tickets and donations, visit the event’s website.
