Monty Klistoff

As far as ambiance and aura goes, this one takes that cake, possibly one with a file baked inside. Monty Klistoff, the man behind the immensely popular "Fight Kingdom" series of boxing, kickboxing and MMA events that have rocked the Civic Center over the past several years, along with his crew from NXTGen Entertainment are bringing the show to the Old Montana Prison in Deer Lodge for an exciting fight card on July 13th. One that is eerily steeped in prison tradition.

It appears that the first two Fight Kingdom boxing/MMA extravaganzas held at the Butte Civic Center were so huge that organizer/promoter Monty Klistoff finally decided he's had enough of watching from the corners. Sure, Klistoff will still be the man behind the magic at this Saturday's Fight Kingdom 3 but in addition he will be reprising his role as one of Southwest Montana's most popular MMA fighters, stepping back into the ring for the night's Main Event against another big name in Montana MMA, Brandon Little Coyote.

If you were worried that there wouldn't be anything exciting at this year's Tri County Fair in Deer Lodge, you can rest easy knowing that Monty Klistoff and his crew from NXT Gen Entertainment have entered the fracas. And bringing the fracas is what they do best.

The blasts and pops will not be coming just from the sky in Anaconda as the Smelter City prepares for its 25th annual 4th of July Fireworks show, particularly if you're in the area of the Washoe Park baseball field. In fact, a lot of the explosive action will be coming before the fireworks as Monty Klistoff and NXTGen Entertainment bring the "Red, White and Bruise" boxing event to the baseball diamond prior to the big fireworks show.

Over the past couple of decades, we have seen Butte flourish into one of the most fan-friendly festival cities in the Northwest. Anyone who doubts this need just attend a single event at the Montana Folk Festival, which will be coming up here in just a few short weeks. Shoot, you only need look back a few weeks to see the turnout for the annual St. Patrick's Day celebration to see what kind of a party Butte is capable of throwing. But there's one festival that is relatively new, but one that started out big and has only continued to grow. And I'm talking about Brawls and Kickstart Days.

Yeah, this is going to be a big night. Of course, any time Monty Klistoff and NXT Gen Entertainment are behind the show, you know that things are going to get crazy. Klistoff, as you probably remember, is the man behind the bare-knuckle boxing events that have kicked off the last 2 summers at their "Brawls and Kickstart Days" at the Butte Depot, Klistoff's indoor productions might even be more impressive. The first Fight Kingdom event was impressive and exciting, the crowd was boisterous, and the lighting and sound practically made you feel as if you were on the Las Vegas Strip. Saturday's is expected to be even better.

The Butte Civic Center will again be the site as Fight Kingdom II takes center stage in what last time was a near sellout. This card promises to pack just as mighty as a punch with some big local names taking place and the return of crowd favorite Kolby LeCoure.

If you're part of an event here in town that draws a crowd or if you're still in the planning stages, the Butte Tourism Improvement District has grant money available and the application deadline has been extended to 5pm this Thursday, February 15. Hard copies will be accepted at the Butte Chamber of Commerce at 1000 George Street.

Monty Klistoff has gradually been bringing this spirit of stunts, fun and music to Butte with Brawls and Kickstart Days which has been taking place at the Butte Depot the first weekend of August over the last couple of years and this year may be the biggest yet. Brawls and Kickstart Days 2023 will be August 4th and 5th.

Coming to the Butte Civic Center on April 29 it is "Fight Kingdom" which will bring mixed martial arts back to what is to be expected to be a receptive Southwest Montana audience.