Supreme Promotions returns to Joliet tonight with a great card in store for local mma fans. The event is also being used as a fundraiser for Jeff Dunbar, a local amateur fighter who was paralyzed last December during his fight. The card’s main event will be for the middleweight championship as champion Matt Paul defends his title against undefeated ukrainian Andrew Potapenko.

Potapenko earned his shot at the title when he put on a great performance defeating Billy Ward at the promotion’s last event in July. He won the fight with a triangle choke at :57 seconds of the third round.

Paul is also coming into the fight with a good record and like his opponent Potapenko, has good ground and stand up skills. This fight is shaping up to be the fight of the night and could even be one of the best amateur fights of the year. Paul’s last fight with the promotion was in March when he defeated Billy Ward at 2:57 in the first round by rear naked choke.

The card will also feature fan favorites John Passarella and Chris Murphy. Several other tough fighters from some of the best gyms in the area will also be competing.

Raffles will be going on all night long with the funds going to support the Jeff Dunbar Fund. Supreme Promotions will take place tonight at the IBEW union hall at 1100 N.E Frontage Road in Joliet, Illinois. Doors open at 7 and fights begin at 8.

There’s already been a fundraiser and an event where proceeds have been donated to the Jeff Dunbar fund. Now there’s another spot where fans can donate and purchase raffle tickets to raise funds for the fund.

MMA @ The Max is happening on Saturday March 3 in McCook, Illinois. The event will feature an all amateur night of mixed martial arts fights with multiple titles on the line.

At the event there will be a booth for fans to purchase raffle tickets or just make a straight up donation to the fund. MMA Recap will be donating several items including t-shirts, hats, and prints from Art By JMC.

The doors open to the event at 6pm and the first fight kicks off at 7pm. For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit www.americanpredatorfc.com

The first event to raise funds for the Jeff Dunbar Rehabilitation Trust Fund is set for Friday, February 3rd. The night of festivities will take place at the Normandy Banquet Room in Elmhurst, Illinois starting at 7:30pm.

There is a $20 recommended donation at the door, though the event is free. In addition to the donations, there will be a 50/50 split the pot raffle with 50% going to the fund.

The night of festivities will include DJ Von B and a live band of Soul Patch Monkey.

On December 17th inside MoJoe’s Music in Joliet, Illinois, tragedy struck during Fightcard Entertainment’s Final Conflict event. Jeff Dunbar was fighting as part of the Team versus Team challenge and when his opponent took his back while standing, Dunbar tried to forward flip and throw his opponent on his own head. Unfortunately the move did not work, and Dunbar landed on his own head, breaking his neck in two places leaving him paralyzed.

Dunbar is currently recovering and going through daily rehabilitation with the latest update of him being able to move his head from side to side and up and down. Dunbar is resilient and a natural fighter and is working tirelessly to one day be able to walk again.

A fund is being set up for him and his ever increasing medical bills and FCE is looking to help lessen the burden just a bit. All proceeds from their upcoming February 16th card, Cross the Line 2012, will go directly to the fund. Tickets are on sale now and start at just $25.

The event will feature several of Dunbar’s teammates from Team No Comment fighting on the card in his honor.

Cross the Line takes place on Thursday, February 16 at Joe’s Bar on Weed Street in downtown Chicago.

Stay tuned to MMA Recap for all the latest on this event.

At Fightcard Entertainment’s FCE 42, Jeff Dunbar competed as part of the night’s Team versus Team Challenge. His opponent Rudy Behena quickly got Dunbar’s back while standing and looked for a rear naked choke. Dunbar tried a very risky move by throwing himself forward to not only escape the position, but also to throw his opponent on his head. Unfortunately for Dunbar, he landed on his own head and it was immediately apparent that something was wrong.

Dunbar laid motionless inside the cage while the EMT staff rushed in to stabilize him in order to transport him to the nearest hospital. At first it seemed like Dunbar just suffered a stinger as he was able to move his arm and had feeling in his feet. However, that turned out to not be the case as he broke his neck in two places.

Dunbar has been in high spirits through out the entire ordeal. Even so much as thanking the promoter for the opportunity to fight. His recovery and medical expenses will be long and expensive, more so than the insurance covered at the event.

Because of the costly nature of his injury, a trust fund is being set up in Dunbar’s honor. For now, donations can be sent to the following addresses:

No Comment Martial Arts
c/o Jeff Dunbar Support Trust
1819 S Kedzie St
Chicago, Il 60623

We here at MMA Recap hope that Jeff can completely recover and will be helping out with any fundraisers, auctions or other charity events planned for him.

Here are the links to donate to the fund. Please donate anything you can as everything helps. Thank you!