MMA Recap

Recapping with Ruckus Entertainment - Service Is Everything

by Brent Todd - 01-29-2010

If there is one phrase that can describe Ruckus Entertainment it would be "Service is Everything".  While they are only about to put on their sophomore event, Ruckus Entertainment is seeing success few promotions have and they show no sign of stopping.  MMA Recap's Brent Todd caught up with Ruckus Entertainment promoter Frank Defilippis to learn more about the upstart promotion that is making some big waves.

The first event was held in October and was an all-amateur show.  But that didn't prevent Defilippis from treating it as if it was the biggest show of all times.  The first part was selecting a venue, as Defilippis knew that would set the stage for everything else.  So he went to a place many people wouldn't think of at all: Venuti's Banquet Hall.  Venuti's is known in the Chicagoland area for being one of the best places has to have a wedding reception at.  In fact it is so popular that trying to book the venue for a Saturday or Sunday event is impossible for the next three years.

"We selected Venuti's because it is gorgeous.  Everything in here is high class, and that is what we wanted to promote."

But a venue doesn't make for an entertaining show.  So Ruckus Entertainment brought in one of the top laser-light show companies as well as top dj's for the event.  There was a tinge in the air that this was something special.  And the attention to detail for the fans of the sport passed onto the fighters.

The fighters could tell that this was going to be a big deal.  The very first fight had an amazing knockout that set the pace for the rest of the night.

Seating is one thing that was very important in the first event.  The sold out event saw over 1,300 fans of the sport watching.  The venue could hold more, but Defilippis didn't want to sacrifice comfort.

"I've been to other shows where I buy a table and my chair backs right into the chair of the next table.  That isn't comfortable.  We made sure we have a certain amount of space between the table, chair, and the next seat."

The seating chart for the event is laid out very smartly.  From staggering tables so that there aren't rows of people all blocking each other to table risers, there is an emphasis on quality.  But Defilippis saw room for improvement for the second show.

"We started with our seating.  We ordered table risers for more sections so that everyone who bought a table could have a clear view.  And we are bringing in more servers.  Last time we had one server for every seven tables, which wasn't enough.  This time there will be one server for every three tables."

Ticket sales are always the hardest part to run smoothly for any event.  But Ruckus Entertainment has made sure that it runs smoothly.  Especially being in the cold Chicago climate, they knew that people don't want to stand outside waiting.

"We have two lines for tickets.  Those who need to purchase and will call for the tickets that were already sold.  The ticket got scanned, ID's were checked by security, wristbands were put on, and then we had people escorting everyone to their seat.  The process was extremely quick and efficient."

The first event they pre-sold about 75% of the tickets before the doors even opened and sold out before the first fight even took place.  The second event, fans will be lucky if they can purchase a ticket the day of the show.

"My goal is to be sold out before the event.  We've already sold a good amount and we are two months away."

And the second event is going to be bigger.  While their first event featured all-amateur fighters, the March event will feature nine professional fights and five amateur fights.  Making the jump from amateur to professional is no small feat, but due to the success of the first show, they were able to do it.

"We had secured Jason Guida, brother to Clay Guida, for our main event.  However he recently suffered a hamstring injury and had to withdraw from the card.  We are still finalizing the details of our main event, but it will released very shortly."

One thing that sets the promotions that will stay versus the ones that are one and done is the ability to see ahead of the next show.  And Ruckus Entertainment has already secured venues for future shows.

"We have finalized a lot of details for a different before even announcing it.  We are planning on holding two more events, one in June, one in July, before returning back to Venuti's in October.  Our goal is to put on five shows this year and we have already locked down four of them."

Ruckus Entertainment will be hosting their second show on Friday March 12 at Venuti's Banquet Hall in Addision, Illinois.  Tickets start at just $35 for the evening.  Doors open at 6pm and don't close till 2am as the venue will be turned into a large after party once all the fights conclude.

Stay tuned to MMA Recap for updates on the fight.

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