You’d never know Raymond Vineyards is on the cusp of harvest from the boisterous boxing and mixed martial arts crowd that packed the St. Helena winery’s crush pad on Saturday.
The first professional MMA competition held at a local winery, Napa Knockout was a benefit for the California State Athletic Commission’s Mixed Martial Arts Retirement Benefit Fund.
The professional card featured six bouts spanning boxing, MMA, Muay Thai and kickboxing, highlighted by a raucous co-main event with kickboxer Matt Baker defeating Kavem Felipe. The main card event was equally electric, with MMA fighter Mason Hartshorn dominating Hector Majardo, who was called out for medical reasons.
Hector Fajardo is announced prior to his bout with Mason Hartshorn at the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026.. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Kickboxer Matt Baker, left, celebrates his win over Kavem Felipe, right, during the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Lauren Welteroth holds her wine glass during the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Boxing fans turn out for the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Kickboxers Matt Baker, left, and Kavem Felipe square off in the final round of their bout, during the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. Baker won the fight. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Welterweight amateur boxer Marley McNealy from San Francisco shows off her medals at Napa Knockout, held at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. Hartshorn won the bout after a doctor stopped the match for medical reasons. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
MMA fighters and fans leave the the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. Baker won the fight. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Lauren Welteroth of Los Angeles with her doberman Artas, visits visits Doug Bell with Wine Direct, right, during the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
The body art of kickboxer Kavem Felipe during the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
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Hector Fajardo is announced prior to his bout with Mason Hartshorn at the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026.. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Jean-Charles Boisset, co-proprietor of Raymond Vineyards, has been a boxing and mixed martial arts enthusiast and hobbyist for more than three decades. When Commissioner Ronald Fiore suggested holding a charity fight to raise money for the retirement fund, Boisset was thrilled with the idea.
“This event proves Napa Valley isn’t just about great wine and food, beautiful hotels and opera — it can be about all kinds of sports, too,” said Boisset, owner of Raymond Vineyards since 2009. “I’m so excited to introduce something new to Napa and bring so many people together.”
Jean Charles-Boisset poses with friends during the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Among the high-profile athletes in attendance was semi-retired UFC competitor, Olympian and professional wrestler Ronda Rousey, a vocal supporter of the fighter pension fund.
On the social platform X, Rousey wrote, “This is the first fight card I’m going to attend in god knows how long – it’s a charity event in Napa to raise money for the California fighter pensions so if you care about supporting retired fighters and can make it, you should consider going.”
Kickboxers Matt Baker, left, and Kavem Felipe square off in the final round of their bout, during the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. Baker won the fight. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
John McCarthy, a retired MMA referee, pulls MMA fighter Mason Hartshorn away from Hector Fajardo during the inaugural Napa Knockout at Raymond Vineyards near St. Helena, Saturday, July 25, 2026. Hartshorn won the bout after a doctor stopped the match for medical reasons. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Other celebrity fighters included mixed martial artists Nick Diaz, Gina Carano, Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez, as well as professional boxers Andre Ward, Victor Ortiz and unbeaten contender Vergil Ortiz Jr.
One of the biggest MMA stars of the night was “Big” John McCarthy, the longtime referee formerly with UFC. When he wasn’t officiating the professional card, he was in high demand for selfies with fans.
Victoria Fielding and Kenya Felex of Oakland take a selfie during Napa Knockout, Saturday, July 25, 2026, near St. Helena. (Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)
Perhaps most significant was the number of fight fans introduced to Napa Valley Wine Country for the first time. As the wine industry struggles to attract new wine consumers, the event gave organizers access to a largely untapped market.
“Many of these people have never stepped foot in a winery before,” said Patrick Eagan, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Boisset Collection. “We’ve found a new group of people to bring into the wine world. That is our whole vision.”