A North Ridgeville native is stepping back into the cage Saturday, returning to professional mixed martial arts after roughly four years away from competition. Drew Dickson will face Tyreace Wilbourn in a featured bout at Avon’s ForeFront Field.
Dickson is preparing for his second professional fight at Midsummer Clash MMA, where both fighters will be chasing their first pro victory. The comeback and the matchup were detailed by Morning Journal.
The official Legends Fight Series event card lists Dickson and Wilbourn in a professional flyweight bout on Saturday, August 1, at 7 p.m. The card also includes professional matchups featuring Travis Hudson and Nick Walls, along with Alex Collett and Will Baxter.
His route back has been less linear than the typical full-time-fighter story. Dickson wrestled through middle school, high school and college, made his amateur MMA debut in 2017, and finished that career with a 9-1 record across 10 fights before stepping away while working in real estate, according to the Morning Journal.
ForeFront Field Gets Another Night In The Cage
The event is part of Legends Fight Series’ push to make outdoor combat sports a regular summer attraction in Northeast Ohio. A release carried by OurSports Central said ForeFront Field was being used for a three-event professional MMA series and described the stadium as a new venue for live fights.
Gates are scheduled to open at 6 p.m., with the first fights beginning at 7 p.m. General admission tickets start at $20, while VIP and ringside seating are also available, giving local fans a chance to watch Dickson’s return without traveling far beyond Lorain County.
For Dickson, the bout is a test of whether months of training can turn a long layoff into a fresh start. For the North Ridgeville crowd, it is a nearby chance to see one of its own take another step toward building a professional MMA career.
