Alabama authorities shut down ‘The Pit,“ a ‘dangerous’ fighting event

Organizers of an unlicensed combat sports event are facing prison terms and fines after a law enforcement bust, officials say.

According to a press release from local officials, the Sept. 26 event known as “The Pit” near Weiss Lake in Cherokee County came to an abrupt end when a joint operation of the Alabama Athletic Commission and the county sheriff’s department intervened.

“I can’t stress enough how dangerous these events are,” said Shane Sears, the commission’s chief inspector.

Sears said all combat sports, including boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling and other forms of unarmed combat, require commission sanction and regulation.

“The individuals behind this event showed reckless disregard for the law and for basic human safety,” Sears said. “Unregulated fights are not sports;