SANDPOINT — Perhaps it’s the natural result of a town boasting a rich wrestling tradition, or maybe it’s just in step with the rapidly emerging sport of Mixed Martial Arts, but Sandpoint is quietly emerging into a hotbed of MMA action.

On Saturday, a host of Sandpoint-based MMA fighters will head to Spokane for a night of fights at the West Central Community Center (1603 N. Belt). Doors open at 6 p.m., with both MMA and kickboxing fights to begin at 7 p.m.

Leading the way will be former two-time SHS state champion wrestler Tim Pepperdine, who boasts a 2-1 record at 125 pounds, and hopes to try and make a career out of the sport. His wrestling background serves him well, and he’s developed some striking skills by training in muay Thai and Brazilian Jui-Jitsu with the Team Grapplers Guild of The Integrative Athlete in Sandpoint.

“I trust my standup,” said Pepperdine, whose one loss spoke to the unpredictable nature of the sport. “I was pretty much destroying the guy and he caught me in a triangle choke.”

Pepperdine recently signed with 11th Commandment MMA in Kamiah, along with three other fighters from Sandpoint: Former SHS state champion wrestler Lukas Carson (135 pounds), Nick Kohal (145) and former SHS basketball player Skyler Tucker (155 pounds). All four will fight on Saturday night, with Carson looking to run his record to 2-0 while Tucker and Kohal will be making their MMA debuts.

Danny Clark, owner of the Integrative Athlete, said the wrestling base gives the athletes a leg up in the sport. While his new studio offers classes in MMA disciplines, it also offers yoga and a host of other training methods.

“We’re not really in the fight business. We view them as arts, more than cage fighting,” said Clark, who thinks Pepperdine has a chance to fare well in the future. “He’s a strong wrestler, and has the work ethic and the winning attitude that goes hand in hand with that. MMA is an extremely tough sport and requires rigorous training, and you need to be strong in all areas.”