On Saturday, September 10th, CFC 7 will have a full rules Muay Thai main event featuring Winnipeg’s own ’Dangerous’ Dave Zuniga facing Detroit’s Cyrus Washington.

Fans will remember Zuniga’s fights from CFC 1 and CFC 2 where he faced future UFCer Mark Holst and Alex Ricci, respectively.  Both were fantastic five round contests that had the crowd standing on their feet.

Zuniga, who has a professional Kickboxing and Muay Thai record of 30-8, is a veteran of over 100 fights when you include his amateur contests.  Despite the tremendous amount of bouts on Dave’s record, Winnipeg has not seen him in action in well over two years.  Instead, Zuniga has been sharpening up his Muay Thai game during visits to Thailand over the past couple of years and taking the occasional fight there.  Winnipeg fight fans will be lucky to have a chance to watch Winnipeg’s preeminent martial artists in action in the main event on September 10th.

“It has been a long time since I have fought in my hometown, so I am excited,” Dave comments on his Manitoba return to the ring. “Being in the main event spot does not do anything for me, …winning is the only goal I have when I fight.  I think what makes me a main event fighter is that I will do whatever it takes to win a fight. I fight my heart out if I have too.”

This main event will be the first full Muay Thai rules fight ever sanctioned in Winnipeg.  Zuniga’s previous bouts here have been Kickboxing with no elbows allowed, so  ’Dangerous’ is very happy to be able to fight Muay Thai.

“Muay Thai is the sport I love and I am very pleased to see not only Muay Thai returning to Winnipeg, but having the first full Muay Thai rules fight ever in Winnipeg. To me, it’s not real Muay Thai unless there are elbows allowed. Elbows change everything… My game is more suited for full rules fights…Fights become more technical, because one good elbow can cause a nasty cut and a fight.”

Zuniga trains at the CFC gym while in Winnipeg and has been involved with Kickboxing for over 17 years.  Will he be ready to face the very tough Cyrus Washington at CFC 7?  Washington is a fighter who, like Dave, has a boatload of experience and has quick hands and dynamic attacks.  While Zuniga realizes Washington will be a stiff test, it is a test Dave relishes,

“I’ve watched tape on Cyrus long before this fight came about. He is a really good fighter and has a wealth of experience. I always tell my promoter to get me the toughest fights he can find, because if I am not fighting the best we can find, then I may as well retire.  I always fight to win. Cyrus is an exciting fighter, so it looks to be an exciting fight to watch.”

One thing Zuniga will have to watch out for is his slow starts.  While Dave has repeatedly thrilled Winnipeg audiences with his stunning comebacks in late rounds, Washington could end things early if Zuniga has a lethargic start.  ”Dangerous” will need to light the fireworks early in the match,

“I know with a fighter like Cyrus that I cannot give up any rounds, unless I score a knockdown or a KO.  Hopefully, I can get comfortable enough to be aggressive early into the fight.”

Fans can witness Dave’s exciting return to the Winnipeg ring firsthand on Saturday, September 10th.  Fifth row VIP table seats are available for as little as $40.  Call 772-2599 to reserve your table seats. General admission seats are available at Ticketmaster for $25.