SANDPOINT — Former Sandpoint wrestler Lukas “The Sandman” Carson faces the biggest challenge of his Mixed Martial Arts career on Saturday night when he fights for the Northwest Fighting 145 pound title belt during the Spokane Showdown Cage Fights in Spokane

Carson (4-1), who trains at Sandpoint Warrior Fitness, will face Priest River’s Wayde Rabidue (4-1), a former Spartan wrestler, for the 145 pound belt.

Carson, whose fighting style combines wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai, enters the cage burgeoning with confidence.

“Whether I knock him out or submit him, my hand will be raised and I’ll bring a title home to Sandpoint,” says Carson, calling Rabidue a stand up brawler. “I’m very excited. This is the dream, and it’s finally here.”

Carson has been training five days a week with Curtis Mickelson and John Hale, and is hungry to make the most of his title shot.

“Luke is training harder than he ever has before and the guys at Sandpoint Warrior Fitness have really put together a solid training regimen for him,” says Mickelson. “He’s really focused for this fight and if he relies as much on his training as he does his natural abilities he should do great.”

Like many MMA fighters with a wrestling background, much of Carson’s focus has been on improving his stand up game. He recently had the opportunity to train and spar for two days with a pro Jiu-Jitsu fighter from Oregon, getting a taste of top level competition.

“I’m an old-school wrestler out of Sandpoint, and I reversed those skills into Jiu-Jitsu,” describes Carson, who says his “Sandman” nickname has two meanings. “I’m representing Sandpoint and I’ve got heavy hands.”

Fight promoter Jesse Eller, of 11th Commandment MMA in Kamiah, has seen both fighters in person and is excited about the title fight.

“Wayde Rabidue is a tough guy and he’s walked through some tough opponents, so it’s not going to be an easy fight for Lukas,” says Eller. “Put it this way: I’m a fight promoter and I’m driving three-and-a-half hours to watch this fight. That really says something about how exciting this match up is.”

The doors open 6 p.m. at the East Central Community Center (500 S. Stone), with the fights slated to start at 7 p.m.