To the extreme: 3-in-ring bouts come to Norfolk

In the never-ending quest to push the envelope in the sport of mixed martial arts, a pair of Virginia men think they've found the next big thing.

It is called San Do, a Japanese discipline in which three fighters compete in the ring at the same time. It will be making its area debut tonight at the Norfolk Masonic Lodge, on Granby Street.

"It's the last man standing," promoter Rick Anderton said. "Did you ever see, 'The good, the bad and the ugly?'"

Anderton, from Dublin, Va., put on a show in Radford in June. He and partner Barry Taylor, a Norfolk lawyer, worked with state boxing commissioner Dave Holland to develop rules and regulations for the sport.

"I was a little skeptical myself, but to honest with you it went really well," said Holland, who attended the Radford show.

Bouts are held in a 12-sided ring with walls slanted at a 45 degree angle. Contestants square off for three, 3-minute rounds. When three competitors are in the ring, no ground fighting is allowed - only punches, kicks and throws. Points are scored by striking. If one competitor is knocked out, the remaining two fight by professional mixed martial arts rules.

"It's mostly stand-up fighting, and it's a lot of action," said Jerry Beasley, a Radford University professor and founder of the school's Karate College. "You can't start fighting just one guy. You have to be prepared on both sides.

"It's wild. As soon as they start getting some better quality athletes, they'll really have something."

Taylor said "highly-skilled" fighters for the seven-bout card will be coming from as far as Texas.

The show is being taped for broadcast this fall.

"We like to say it's the next evolution," Taylor said.

Bouts begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door.