International Falls’ Billy “The Kidd” Christianson will be part of the “main event” Friday night at the Hyatt Ballroom in Minneapolis.
Christianson, who is 6-1 as a professional mixed martial arts fighter and has trained with Borderland Combat Sports in the Falls Area, is slated to face Nick Compton, who is 4-2 as a pro, in Driller Promotions’ “Downtown Showdown.”
Though the posters promoting the event show Christianson matched up against Zach “Juice” Juusola, Compton is now his opponent after Juusola pulled out because of an injury.
“We’re very glad that (Compton) took the chance to step up and take this fight on such a short notice,” Christianson said. “We asked, like, 4-5 other guys that wouldn’t take the fight.”
Christianson, who expects to win against Compton on Friday night, said he has another fight against Juusola lined up for Sept. 8 at the Crowne Plaza in St. Paul.
“(Juusola) decided to talk a little trash about me online after he got hurt,” Christianson said. “It got me a little upset that he didn’t carry himself in a professional manner, so I immediately talked to his manager and I got him lined up for Sept. 8 already.”
Shortly after his last pro fight earlier this year, Christianson said he left the job he had with the Canadian National Railway in Ranier to focus full-time on training as an MMA fighter.
“The railroad was kind of getting in the way of my training,” he said. “It was rough to deal with weight cuts having to work long hours — night shifts and stuff.
“I’m in a lot better shape for this fight because of that. My weight’s been very good. I’ve put on a lot more muscle mass, compared to what I was before.”
In addition to being reimbursed for his expenses, Christianson said the payout for Friday’s bout includes an amount for showing up and making the weight, plus more to the winner.
“I don’t really have extra money to spend on toys and stuff, but I’m able to pay my bills with the fights and get by enough right now,” he said. “The farther I go, the more I’m going to be making.”
After Friday’s fight and prior to his next bout in September, Christianson said he will be training for four weeks in Milwaukee.
