Since sanctioned mixed martial arts competition made its debut in California in March, fans have been flocking arenas around the Golden State. 

Strike Force sold out the 18,000 seat HP Pavilion in San Jose for its first show, and just announced a return date on June 9 featuring former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort. UFC 59 at the Pond in Anaheim sold out in two days, and another big crowd will show up for the Matt Hughes-Royce Gracie fight at the Staples Center on May 27. Over 8,000 fans recently made it to Arco Arena in Sacramento simply to see MMA despite a show short on name drawing power.

This weekend promises to be eventful in Southern California, with two big shows and the dedication of a new training facility. 

 The fight of the weekend will take place at ICON promotions' Raze MMA Fight Night at the IpayOne Center in San Diego on Saturday.  Matt "The Law" Lindland (17-3), a Top 5 middleweight and Olympic silver medalist, takes on world-class wrestler and UFC vet Mike Van Arsdale (8-4).  Lindland has finished four of his past five opponents. The 43-year old Van Arsdale has suffered consecutive losses to three very good fighters (Randy Couture, Renato Sobral, and Jorge Oliveira), and he'll be looking for some redemption. 

For once, Lindland looks to be the lesser in strength (Lindland usually fights at 185 while Van Arsdale fights at 205), so it'll be interesting to see how the Team Quest fighter tries to impose his will.  Both grapplers have shown a lot of improvement in striking; therefore, it's not a foregone conclusion that this fight goes immediately to ground.

 This elite match-up is the main event of a 10-bout card.  Tickets, ranging from $43-$253, are still available.

If you're closer to the Inland Empire than San Diego, you're in luck.  Also on Saturday, California Xtreme Fighting is having its first show at the Upland Sports Arena in San Bernardino.  The main event of an 11-bout card will feature Team Quest's Art Santore, fresh off a victory over UFC vet Edwin Dewees, testing his skills against Superbrawl and King of the Cage vet Jay Martinez. Doors open at 5pm.

 And if you're still interested in MMA by the time Sunday rolls around, Pride welterweight champion Dan Henderson and Team Quest South are opening up a new gym in Murrieta.  Lindland and Couture will be on hand to celebrate the occasion.  The meet-and-greet takes place from 2-5 p.m. You can sample some free food, meet the fighters, and check out the new gym.  The facility is located at 41561 Date Street, Murrieta, CA 92562. 

-- EDDIE MALONE, Grappling Magazine