Sold-out Rumble at the River V described as the ‘show of the year’

By barstoolfanatics on October 24, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Photos by Kenneth Tinkham Photography

Bryce Bradbeer of Grass Pass and Caleb Harrison of Fortuna served up a thrilling showdown for local fight fans at the weekend Rumble at the River V.

The Bear River Casino Resort fight night was a sellout once again, with more than 1000 fans showing up for the fight night.

The Red Thunder Promotions event featured 14 fights and the showdown of the night was the five-round kickboxing fight between Bradbeer and Harrison.

The Oregon native took the win with a fifth-round TKO in the Kicking Bear 150-pound World Title main event.

Bear River general manager John McGinnis described the night as the “show of the year in Humboldt County.”

“What an amazing turnout we had for the Rumble,” McGinnis said. “Our sold-out crowd was electric all night long.”

The night was the third straight sellout for a Rumble at the River fights and featured a different format for local fight fans.

McGinnis described it as a “one show fits all approach,” with boxing, dirty boxing, kickboxing, “Bear Knuckle” fighting, and full contact fighting.

“This fight night was like an action movie with great scenes of highs and lows and blood and glory, as these warriors battled from across the borders to elevate the entertainment here at Bear River,” McGinnis added.

“I wanted to create a show that brought together all different disciplines of fighting and mix it up from what we have been seeing throughout California and Oregon shows.”

Other winners on the night included locals Nolan Price of Eureka, Anthony Martinez of Arcata, Susie Murillo of Redway, Gloria Camacho of Fortuna, Jason Hensher of Arcata, Jaxson Santanter of Arcata, and Oscar Perez of Eureka.

Loleta’s Michael Gabriel and Ed Severns each also won their Bear Knuckle fights.

Winners from out of the area included Jason Chavez of Cottage Grove, Max Varella from Redding, Braeden Buckland of Cottage Grove, and Michael Humphrey of Petaluma.

The fights will return to the Bear River Casino Resort next year, with a Cinco de Mayo Rumble at the River VI scheduled to take place on May 3.

And, according to McGinnis, the action will only get better.

“I thought our May 4 show (earlier this year) was amazing, with fight fans commenting ‘best show ever on North Coast’” he said. “Numerous fans have reached out stating ‘Rumble V was the best show they have experienced in a long time’”.

Red Thunder Promotions is owned and operated by the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria.