County's boxing venue

draws 1,100 for event

The ever-growing sport of Mixed Martial Arts made its way into Anne Arundel County on Wednesday night with a six-bout card at Michael's 8th Avenue, the county's site for ballroom boxing.

The event was the second of its kind in Maryland since MMA was legalized in the state in May 2008. The MMA first appeared in the Free State last month at the Baltimore Arena.

Wednesday night's event in Glen Burnie combined loud music with large speakers spaced around the mat, a well-stocked bar, a couple of areas to grab various food, a rowdy, sharply dressed announcer,...