SANDPOINT — While Saturday night will mark former Sandpoint and Portland State wrestler Chris Feist’s mixed martial arts debut, he’s hardly a stranger to the sport of MMA, which continues to grow rapidly in popularity.

For the past two years Feist has been the primary training partner for all of the Team Takedown Fighters, including fellow Sandpoint native Jake Rosholt, cutting his teeth against some formidable competition on a daily basis.

“For two years it’s all I’ve been doing,” said Feist, 26, who wished to thank all of the people in Sandpoint for their support over the years. “I’ve done all of it in the fight game, except fight.”

That will change when he steps into the octagon for the first time on Saturday night at Xtreme Knockout 8 at The Gym in Arlington, Texas. Feist, at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, will face Jason Painter, a 205 pound 30 year-old from Marble Falls, Texas, who sports a 2-2 record.

Feist has watched a couple of Painter’s fights in preparation, and described his opponent as a tough brawler type, who comes out swinging from the opening bell. Feist has a strategy in place for the fight, including a security blanket of sorts should he need it.

“I’m intending to stand and strike with him. I believe in my hands,” said Feist, who not only wrestled at Portland State, but also helped coach there for a year. “I can dictate where the fight takes place using my wrestling. If I don’t feel confident (striking), I can take the fight to the ground, where I have a huge advantage.”

More than 3,000 fans are expected to watch a card featuring 13 fights, including the main event pitting Chris Jones against Roy Spoon. In addition to a solid main event, fans will have an opportunity to meet members of Team Takedown, the elite fight team that includes Shane Roller, Johnny Hendricks and Jake Rosholt.

Feist said it’s been a long week leading up to Friday’s weigh in, saying he’s more anxious than nervous and can’t wait to see how his hard work and skills stack up in the octagon.

If all goes well on Saturday, Feist hopes to fight again soon, perhaps on the undercard of Jake Rosholt’s next fight on Nov. 12, when the former UFC fighter puts his 7-2 record on the line against Matt Horwich (26-17) in an XFL fight in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Both Feist and Team Takedown have recently moved to Arlington, and are calling Xtreme Knockout’s The Gym their new home. Jared Rosholt, Jake’s younger brother, is also training with Team Takedown, giving the wrestling-based MMA fighting team three former Sandpoint state champion wrestlers among its ranks.

For more information visit “www.xtremeknockout.com,” or “www.teamtakedownfighters.com.”