LEWISTON — Imagine taking ill and missing your child’s high school graduation or a sibling’s wedding.

Matt Peterson can almost relate. Four months ago while the mixed martial arts promotion he co-founded was busy breaking records at Androscoggin Bank Colisee, Peterson, a state representative from Rumford, was equally concerned about a breaking fever.

One of the proudest moments of Peterson’s life, consequently, went on without him, at least in the flesh.

“I was pulling triple duty with my day job, the legislature in session and this,” Peterson said. “The Friday of the weigh-in I really wasn’t feeling well, and I thought, ‘I can’t miss the fights so I’d better go get checked out.’ When I got to the hospital I had a temperature of 104. They admitted me for a week.”

Peterson wasn’t completely absent from the proceedings taking place a few blocks away. A friend streamed live video to his iPhone.

“Thank God for technology,” he said.

That virtual view was a sight for any promoter’s weary eyes, and just what the doctor would have ordered. Close to 3,200 spectators jammed the venerable hockey arena to get a firsthand look at one of America’s fastest-growing sports.

Riding the crest of that home run and an April smash in Biddeford comes Saturday’s Fight Night III, round two for the Twin Cities.

“Sales are way ahead of projections at this point,” said Peterson, who co-owns promotional company New England Fights with Nick DiSalvo of Massachusetts. “I’m really confident that we’re going to break our own record.”

Just in case winter’s allure was part cabin fever and part the novelty of the event, Peterson and DiSalvo have stepped up the star power in a big way.

Tim Sylvia, an Ellsworth native and former two-time UFC world heavyweight champion, headlines the card. Sylvia (30-7, 19 knockouts) will square off with Randy Smith (14-10-1) in the main event.

Now living in Iowa, Sylvia was in attendance at the Biddeford fight when NEF announced that he would be entering the cage in Lewiston.

“It brought tears to my eyes when I heard the ovation from the crowd,” Sylvia said in a news release.

Sylvia, 36, won his first UFC title in 2003 and regained the crown in 2006.

The 6-foot-8 Sylvia has fought only seven times since a loss to former boxer Ray Mercer in June 2009, winning six. He has expressed an interest in returning to one of nation’s major promotions and reaching the elite level before retiring.

Sylvia scouted his opponent in an arena where the cage fighting culture has an enormous presence: YouTube.

“He’s a tough kid and he likes to stand and bang. And that’s going to be a recipe for disaster for him because I’m going to smash him.” Sylvia said of Smith. “I’m not looking at him as a stepping stone. I’m looking at him as a guy who wants a big name on his record with me being the victim. That’s not happening.”

Local and regional fighters provide the lifeblood of what is currently a 16-fight card.

That’s down from Peterson’s preferred number of 25. The rabid success of the first two cards might have been a good-news, bad-news factor.

“This time we’ve had a lot of guys who fought in Fight Night I and Fight Night II who are plagued by some nagging injuries,” Peterson said.

Saturday’s bouts will be split almost evenly between professionals and amateurs. There’s even a women’s bout on the docket.

The spread of mixed martial arts fervor from New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire into Maine is no surprise to Peterson, who pushed for the legislation that made combat sports legal in his home state.

“I knew there was a rabid fan base here,” Peterson said. “I think fighting is in our blood, at least metaphorically. I think we appreciate the guts, the determination and the shoe polish attitude it takes just to make a living.”

February’s fight resulted in a single-event concession sales record at the Colisee, according to Peterson. It’s evidence of the economic boon he projected while touting the sport at the State House.

He added that media from other outposts are impressed by the dedication of Maine fans.

“In other parts of New England we see people who come to watch their fighter and then they leave, and by the time the main event comes around the place is 90 percent empty,” Peterson said. “Here they all stay from start to finish.”

Keeping everyone’s interest throughout the evening will be no chore this time around. Sylvia’s presence ensures that.

Through social media, Peterson has communicated with fans traveling from as far away as Quebec to watch the fights.

“It bumps it up another notch to have a world champion fighting in his home state, someone who at one time was the No. 1 ranked heavyweight in the world. It takes it up to a new level for everybody,” Peterson said. “We’re telling people if you only attend one mixed martial arts card ever, it’s this one.”

koakes@sunjournal.com

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