Lake of the Torches Resort Casino is proud to announce the sponsorship of a fighter who is taking the national stage by storm. The Northern Wisconsin resort casino recently signed on as a major sponsor for Mike "Six Gun" Sixel, a contender on the primer mixed martial arts promotion "King of the Cage".

"We are very enthusiastic to help this talented athlete as he emerges as a contender on a national level," said Michael J. Broderick, Director of Marketing at Lake of the Torches Resort Casino. "Mike showed tremendous ability when he fought here this past July and we feel he will be an excellent representative in our effort to become the home of MMA in the Midwest, and especially Wisconsin." Broderick continued; "Pound for pound Sixel is probably one of the best up and coming fighters entering the Octagon at 155lbs. He has devastating stand-up combined with a technically proficient ground game. We expect great things from "Six Gun" and he will be our feature fighter for "KOTC: Brimstone" to be held this October."

Sixel was born in Sheboygan and raised in Eagle River, Wisconsin. He was first introduced to martial arts at age 4. At age 11 he earned his black belt in a federation consisting of Judo, Hapkido, and Tae Kwon Do. Mike went on to receive his third degree black belt in the same federation at age 17. Mike also received a third degree black belt in Pankration (a Greek form of Mixed Martial Arts) and took Jiu-Jitsu classes for numerous years. After high school, Mike enrolled in a technical college and joined the Oregon Army National Guard. He served a 13-month deployment to Iraq (March 2003 - April 2004). Upon returning to the United States, he owned and operated an entertainment business for a while, but soon found his ambitions drifting toward a professional mixed martial arts career. He currently trains out of the world-famous "Team Quest" training facility headed by UFC veterans Dan Henderson and Matt Lindland.

"I have had many goals and come in my life, but the goal of being the best in my respected sport of martial arts has always been there," Mike said.

Sixel fought in Lac du Flambeau this past July as part of the King of the Cage - Battle at the Bowl hosted by Lake of the Torches Resort Casino at the Lake du Flambeau Amphitheater. In his bout, he scored an impressive win in just 2 minutes and 16 seconds during the first round by using a rear naked choke hold on his opponent, Ricky Gonzales.

"The fight in July was a great opportunity for me at such a young stage in my career," he said reflecting on the Battle at the Bowl. "It meant a lot not only to have this opportunity, but to be able to have it in my hometown in front of friends and family. I wanted to prove that I deserved it."
He will return to Lake of the Torches on October 6 at part of King of the Cage - Brimstone in the casino's convention center. Sixel has high aspiration for his chances at the event. "I'm in ten times better shape than I was in July and am ten times a better fighter than I was in July," he said. "This sport is all about evolving, and if you don't evolve with it, you are going to be left behind."

Situated on the shores of Pokegama Lake and nestled in Wisconsin's Northwoods, the Lake of the Torches Resort Casino has a feel of a classic Northern retreat and reflects its Ojibwe culture and heritage. The casino has over 800 slot machines (including a non-smoking area), 12 blackjack tables and two Poker tables, a high-stakes Bingo Hall seating up to 500 persons, a 24-hour food court and the Eagle's Nest Restaurant. The hotel has 101 well-appointed rooms, the Dancing Waters Lounge and a versatile business center. The 8,500 square-foot Convention Center in the Hall of Nations offers an outstanding venue for entertainment, receptions, trade shows, meetings, presentations and seminars.