MMA Big Show: Gary Goodridge Versus Ron Sparks Pulled, Event Will Go On

A main event matchup between UFC veteran “Big Daddy” Gary Goodridge (23-19-1) and 6’5″, 285-pound “Monster” Ron Sparks (2-0) at MMA Big Show New Dawn at Belterra Casino in Indiana Saturday has been cancelled.

Goodridge was going to try to bounce back from his first-round knockout loss last weekend to Strikeforce light heavyweight champion “Dreamcatcher” Gegard Mousasi (23-2-1), but it was taking that fight that led to the cancellation, according to MMA Big Show promoter Jason Appleton.

Appleton claims the Indiana Athletic Commission sanctioning the event denied Goodridge a license after fighting just a week previously, though the fight was in Japan.

Goodridge has lost five consecutive, before Mousasi losing by first-round Kimura submission  to Strikeforce heavyweight champion “Demolition Man” Alistair Overeem (29-10) at Glory 10 in November 2008.

MMA Big Show had hinted that Sparks would be considered for the UFC with a win over Goodridge.  He’s undefeated, going four rounds for a unanimous decision over Johnathan Ivey (27-40) at RFL outside of Chicago June 27.  He’s a reigning titlist in the RFL.

Appleton has decided to cancell the other pro fights on the card, but the amature card will go on as planned at Belterra Saturday.