Morning Animals roast to benefit Come Up Foundation

Midweek Update: Foundation seeks to teach martial arts to youth in disadvantaged neighborhoods

Two notable Oklahoma sports figures are among those giving back as part of their work with The Come Up Foundation. 

The Come Up Foundation is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization that seeks to make a difference by teaching martial arts disciplines to youth in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Professional MMA fighter Emmanuel “El Punisher” Rivera is the executive director of The Come Up Foundation. 

Rivera has long been associated with Sports Animal, where he previously worked as a behind-the-scense technician. He now offers MMA and UFC commentary on Saturdays with Matt Meyer. 

Carl Belford chairs the organization. Belford is known for his extensive wrestling experience and is a founder of the Oklahoma Wrestling Academy.

According to The Come Up Foundation website, with a curriculum for self-defense, and a dose of life-skill training, the program uses martial arts mentors to encourage healthy living and respect for neighbors, teachers and family.

A fundraiser for the foundation will be held on Aug. 15 at the Will Rogers Theatre in Oklahoma City with a roast of radio’s Morning Animals from WWLS the Sports Animal. Curtis Fitzpatrick, Carey Murdock, Phil Inzinga, and Spinozi will be featured. The event will help fundraise for The Come Up Foundation as it expands its curriculum into Oklahoma City schools.  

Information about sponsorships and tickets for the Morning Animals Roast is available at comeupfoundation.com.

Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about comics, entertainment, film, and a variety of Oklahoma topics and industries for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.