Fans flock to Brawl in the Cage 4

STAUNTON — Over a field of several hundred cars and a parking lot nearly filled with motorcycles and vendors selling everything from ice-cream cones to airbrushed T-shirts, and at the bottom of a hill set away from the rest of society there was a big-top tent similar to a circus only without the stripes or the elephants.

This tent was for fighting, a point made obvious by the mixed martial arts cage housed under it.

Saturday’s Brawl in the Cage 4 at Shenandoah Valley Harley Davidson hosted fighters from all over the area and from different fighting backgrounds in a mixed martial arts contest that would put each man’s pride and perseverance on the line.

Spurred on by close proximity of several beer vendors and rock music at a decibel that would make a 747 blush, fans were on their feet cheering and throwing their fists into the air 30 minutes before the fights even began.

When asked about his thoughts on the night, all Steve Lamb managed at first was “Lots of noise.”

Lamb and his wife, Peggy, were both there to watch Peggy’s son, Jake McClaine, fight.

McClaine, 18, has had two fights so far in his career — both wins. McClaine fought at 155 pounds, but his previous two fights he weighed in at 147. He’s been training for two years.

“I’m interested to see how he’ll do with that extra weight,” Steve Lamb said.

He said that putting that extra 10 pounds can be a lot different once inside the cage.

“I’m very excited — a little nervous,” said Peggy Lamb, unable to focus on much else besides her son’s fight. “But my son gets a lot of enjoyment out of it. I just want him to be safe.”

“I like to see strength — spontaneous fighting,” said Steve Lamb. “One good kick or punch upside the head. I don’t like it when they drag the fight out for nine minutes.”

He wasn’t disappointed.

With every jab or cross the fans got louder, moving closer to the edges of their seats. With every one that connected with a face, the fans got louder still.

If a fighter was taken to the mat, the fans got to their feet.

This seesaw dance went on all night.