(This story will appear in Thursday’s edition of USA TODAY.) An amateur mixed martial arts fight set for Aug. 3 in Florida promises a first for its combatants – and perhaps the sport at large. Garrett Holeve and David Steffan , who suffer from Down syndrome and mild cerebral palsy respectively, are stepping into the cage for a full-speed fight at a King of the Casino event at the Seminole Immokalee Casino in Immokalee, Fla. Steffan, a former Special Olympian and current Paralympic Games competitor, is aware some will question whether their respective disabilities should rule out a fight, and he’s ready to prove doubters wrong. “I think it’s a great opportunity for both of us to show the world that we belong in there just like everyone else,” he told USA TODAY Sports and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
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USA TODAY: Support shown for MMA bout between disabled fighters – MMA Junkie