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OWATONNA — A month before before Chris Hassing goes to Kuwait to fight for America, he is going to lace up his gloves and fight for fun Friday night at the Four Seasons Centre.

Hassing, a 21-year-old Owatonna native, is one of 20 fighters scheduled to do battle during a mixed martial arts event in Owatonna. It will be the second sanctioned MMA event in Owatonna and the first since September 2008.

Hassing won’t be the main draw for MMA fans, but he has the biggest local connections. He graduated from Owatonna High School in 2008 after spending time with the cross country, basketball and track and field teams there. Fellow OHS grad and MMA fighter Zack Strand introduced Hassing to MMA, and his interest took over from there.

This will only be Hassing’s third professional bout, but it will be his 21st fight overall. He had a 15-3 record as an amateur and has a 1-1 record as a pro. He is scheduled to fight Dustin Smith (1-2) out of Iowa.

“I’m excited, I’ve been training with a couple of really good guys,” said Hassing, who mentioned fellow OHS grads Jeremy Jirele and Ben Bachtle as his trainers.

Next month, Hassing will deploy to Kuwait with the U.S. Army National Guard for one year. Hassing said a lot of friends and family will be at the Four Seasons to cheer him on in his final fight of the year.

One of those friends watching will be 2006 OHS grad Jon-Erik Meier, who will also be fighting for the first time in his career. Meier will grapple with fellow rookie Austin Haverkosk in an amateur bout.

“I don’t really know what to expect,” Meier said. “I’ve been going through it in my head over and over, day and night. I’m more excited than nervous right now, but I’m sure the nervous will come later.”

Friday is also be Meier’s 23rd birthday.

“Either way, I’ll have something to celebrate,” he said with a laugh.

Richard Rodriguez, another former OHS graduate, will be in action as well in his first fight. Rodriguez will face undefeated Bernard Spencer (2-0).

One of the main event fights Friday night will be Josh Janousek (7-1), who is ranked No. 2 in Minnesota, against BJ “The Beast” Lacy (15-16). Both are veteran fighters.

The other big fight is between two females, veteran Kelly Kobold (16-3-1) and rookie Pipi Taylor (5-0). Kobold was one of the best in the business two years ago before taking a break. Now she is making her return to the ring against the undefeated prospect Taylor, who is flying in from Arizona for the fight.

“Fight of the night, I think,” fight promoter Nick Gamst told the Minnesota Mixed Martial Arts News. “That’s what I’m hoping anyway. Pipi fights like she’s a man. She’s very tough. ... Kelly is going to have to work her (butt) off if she’s going to beat Pipi. It’s a great fight for Kelly to find out if she’s back to that elite level.”

Tickets for the fight are $35 for ringside and $15-25 for general admission. There are limited ringside seats available, but general admission tickets will be available at the door. There will be alcohol sold at the event, but it is open to fans of all ages. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the fights begin at 7 p.m.

Anthony Simmons, the owner of Element Entertainment, said there will be “lots” of security, including six special deputies and two armed police officers.