Fresno event promoter Rick Mirigian has requested the City of Fresno reconsider its ban of mixed martial arts events at Woodward Park.

Mirigian told the city council recently he would submit a proposal next week to host 1-2 cage fighting events at the Rotary Amphitheater each year, paying five times the normal rental rate. Some "nontraditional" fees could be added to the deal to boost city revenue, he said.

Mirigian would also give Valley veterans a cut of the proceeds, netting various programs an estimated $6,000 per event, according to local veteran advocates.

“I simply will be making an offer that I feel will save [parks and recreation] jobs and countless other areas that could use the revenue and possibly save some jobs,” Mirigian said. “I believe in times like this we are owed more than ‘I just don't like it’ as an answer for cutting away what could seriously help people in a time of need.”

As part of Mayor Ashley Swearengin’s proposed budget, the Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department is slated for the elmination of 23 permanent part-time positions, five full-time posoitions and staff demotions.

After hosting two mixed martial events at Woodward Park last year, the City of Fresno banned mixed martial arts at the facility in February less than two months after Swearengin took office.