One of New Mexico’s longest running charity sporting events, “Rumble in Rio”, is gearing up for another
thrilling night of fights between Police and Firefighters of our state. This year is the 9 th Rumble in Rio,
and for the first time ever, the event will now feature three MMA fights! Rumble in Rio is a non-profit
domestic corporation, which donates proceeds primarily to “The Jim Franklin Bike Giveaway Program”
(more than 3000 bikes and helmets donated to New Mexico’s children in need, thus far), but this year
they hope to contribute to other local youth charities. This year, the event will be held October 13,
starting at 7:00 p.m., at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, and ticket prices have been reduced,
so that the event is more affordable, giving entire families the opportunity to attend. Regular tickets
will be about $15-$20, with a $10 discount available on 4-packs; tickets go on sale in July. Also, on
July 7th, there will be a ring girl contest, to be held at Elliott’s Bar, located at 10200 Corrales Rd NW,
Albuquerque, directly after UFC 148. Top 3 contestants will be hired as the Ring Girls for Rumble in Rio
IX.
The all-call for this year’s event was held on Wednesday, May 23, at Rio Rancho Fire Station 1, and was
attended by 30+ service personnel. Many others have called or emailed, and the event looks to have
about 12 boxing matches and 3 MMA fights. Fighters from Rio Rancho Fire and Police Departments,
Albuquerque Fire and Police Departments, NM State Police, Metro Detention Center Officers, Bernalillo
County Fire Department, Los Alamos Police Department, Las Cruces Fire Department, and Bernalillo
County Sheriff’s Department have signed up so far; and contenders have already begun training.
Various gyms around town are contributing to the cause by sponsoring the training of these fighters;
names and information on those facilities will be posted on the website. Rumble matchmakers will
continue accepting applications for the next couple months, and the card will begin to be finalized
around August.
Sponsorship opportunities are available from $250 – $1500:
“Jab Sponsor” ($250) – 2 Reserved Chair-Back seats, On-site banner provided by your business, and an
advertising table on the concourse.
“Uppercut Sponsor” ($500) – VIP Table (8 seats), 1 complimentary tray of appetizers, wait service during
the event for additional food & drink, sponsor name in fight program, company banner placement and
an advertising table on the concourse.
“Knock-Out Sponsor” ($1500) – Logo placement on boxers’ shirts, company logo on all print ads (JPEG
image needed), 2 Zone seats and 1 VIP Table (8 seats) on the floor, 1 complimentary tray of appetizers,
wait service during the event for additional food & drink, onsite banner provided by your business, one
fight titled with your business name and announced for the fight with a championship trophy given to
sponsor, your business website link on Rumble in Rio website, full page color ad in fight program and an
advertising table on the concourse.
All fighters are donating their time in training (several months of it) and their fight 100% to the event;
this heroic effort is not surprising, coming from members of our community that we already recognize
as our heroes.
For applications or more information on this event, visit their website www.rumbleinrio.net or find them
on Facebook.
