Las Vegas Weekly

March 13, 2010 · 11:39 AM

Photos: Tuff-N-Uff at The Orleans features brutal arm break

By Hepi Mita

Medical staff attempt to stabilize William Kowolski's broken arm as he is escorted out of the ring at the Tuff-N-Uff Amateur Fighting Championships at The Orleans on Feb. 26, 2010.

Photo: Ray Kasprowicz

By Hepi Mita, Vegas DeLuxe photo archivist

Frank Mir protege John Gettle became an Internet sensation last week after brutally breaking the arm of his opponent William Kowolski at the Tuff-N-Uff Amateur Fighting Championships at The Orleans.

Video of the horrific arm break hit the blogosphere and went viral, generating an abundance of attention for the previously unheralded amateur fighter. Here’s the video on YouTube. Warning: It is brutal.

The injury is the worst any athlete has suffered in the history of the Tuff-N-Uff promotion, but Kowolski is expected to make a full recovery and is already planning on a rematch.

Gettle was not the only Tuff-N-Uff fighter to turn heads. Tuff-N-Uff champion Chris Holdsworth, at 135 pounds, declared his intentions to go pro with a first-round victory over the previously undefeated Gor Mnatsakanyan.

Holdsworth’s amateur career ends with a perfect 5-0 record, with every one of his wins coming in the first round. His impressive stint as an amateur has made him one of the top prospects in his division.

Celebrities in attendance included K-1 legend Ray Sefo, UFC veteran Johny Hendricks and acclaimed MMA trainer Shawn Tompkins. Enjoy the photo gallery from photographer Ray Kasprowicz.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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