Rosholt returns to cage in Xtreme Fight Night

SANDPOINT — After a brief hiatus from the cage, former Sandpoint and Oklahoma State wrestling standout and mixed martial arts fighter Jake Rosholt is back in action tonight as the main event in the debut of Xtreme Fight Night in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Rosholt (7-2) clashes with Matt Horwich (26-17-1) in a battle between two former UFC fighters, and marks Rosholt’s first fight since March as he’s been rehabbing a neck injury. The three-time NCAA national champion wrestler is part of the successful Team Takedown Fighters, which now includes former Sandpoint state champion and younger brother Jared Rosholt among its ranks.

Rosholt scored an impressive win with a choke-out of Chris Leben, but went just 1-2 in UFC fights, before being dropped by the sport’s biggest governing body. His return bout is a stiff test in former International Fight League Champion Matt “Suave” Horwich, who has fought a number of top fighters and recently submitted former UFC title contender Thales Leites.

Both of Rosholt’s losses came by way of submission, a bit of a surprise considering his elite wrestling background, but part of the adjustment. He learned from both defeats, and returns healthy and ready to make another run at the middleweight championship at 185 pounds.

It will be hostile environment for Horwich as Rosholt has enjoyed previous success in Tulsa, where Oklahoma State wrestling fans turn out to support one of their own.

Boxing legend “Sugar” Ray Leonard will be on hand to watch the fights, as MMA continues to grow in popularity.