ANDERSON — Ring announcer Joe York’s signature line seems the best way to describe the end of all the waiting for tonight’s War in The Yard mixed martial arts card at Hoosier Park.

“It’s time to get nasty,” York exclaims before every main event he’s announced.

York will be one of five local participants involved with tonight’s first-ever MMA show at Hoosier Park.

The four others that will be in the cage that evening will be Anderson fighters Troy King and Tristan Yunker, Pendleton’s Kevin Barkdull and referee John Manley, a local attorney based out of Pendleton.

“I’ve been doing this (officiating MMA matches) for 10 years,” said Manley. “Doing of show of this quality means a lot too me.”

“I’m thrilled for the entire thing,” said York. “My hope is that this show sets the standard for MMA in Indiana.”

That seems to be the goal of promoters Gary Meyers, Steve Fritz and David Wells.

The card has 10 fights and Meyers is proud to tell anyone that none of the fights will be easy.

“There will be no walkthroughs,” Meyers said during Friday’s press conference. “Every one of these fights is going to be tough.”

For Fritz, Friday served as a time for publicly thanking and apologizing to everyone involved in the card.

“I just want to thank all the fighters for putting up with all the late night phone calls from me,” said Fritz. “I have some friends (fighting) on this card and I’ve made some new friends here as well.”

In all there will be 10 fights on the card which gets under way at 8 p.m. The fights will be in the Hoosier Park yard just north of the racing picnic area.

There will be two women’s bouts on the card. Buffi Hayes (2-2) will take on Suzy Smith (2-2) in a women’s featherweight match. Jodi Sprague (1-0) will take on Priscilla Brownfield (0-0) in a women’s flyweight contest.

“I’m looking forward to having the fight of the night,” said Sprague.

“I just want to thank the fans,” said Smith. “The fans are what make this (MMA) happen.”