Utica, NY (WIBX) - A new business is opening its doors this summer at Historic Bagg Square. UFC Fighter Matt "The Hammer" Hamill and his longtime trainer, Duff Holmes made the announcement this morning. They're naming it, The Cage Ultimate Sports Bar. Matt "The Hammer" says it's been a personal goal to open a sports bar in Utica, "It's a great, great opportunity for the whole of Utica and everyone keeps asking me about it," he said.

Mayor David Roefaro who is credited for being instrumental in making the business a reality, said it represents another piece of the puzzle that makes the City of Utica a community. Senator Joseph Griffo was also in attendance to lend his support saying, "There's a lot of efforts being undertaken in this city to continue to reinvigorate the area." Holmes said, "We're going to show every UFC fight, although there will be no fighting allowed in the bar--we're going to be very adamant about that. Anybody who would like to learn how to fight, can just come upstairs to Mohawk Valley Mixed Martial Arts, which we've relocated from New Hartford. Thank you again to the Mayor for telling us that we had to be in Utica, and we had to be in downtown Utica. So we took his advice and we're very happy to be here."

With assistance from the city's Facade Program, the owners are eligible for a $10,000 grant to help renovate the 1920s building to get it ready for opening day sometime this summer. Holmes said the building was purchased for $390,000 and added that the Facade Program grant is still being worked out with Roefaro. The sports bar will serve lunch and dinner and have 25 televisions throughout it, showing every UFC fight and other sporting events. Another big announcement is the upcoming release of the award winning movie about Matt's life called, Hamill, which will be released in November. Also, Matt just signed a new contract with UFC, sealing a four fight deal that will keep him fighting until 2013. Pat Bailey, local television reporter was hired as the General Manager.

The Cage Ultimate Sports Bar
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