4 April 27th–MAy 3rd, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | music | cafe | film | culTuRe | NighT+Day | feaTuRe | NeWs | OPiNiON | feeDBacK | cONTeNTs | E D I T O R I A L EDITOR Matt Hennie NEWS EDITOR O’Hara Shipe CULTURE EDITOR Jennifer Goldberg FOOD EDITOR Tirion Morris STAFF WRITERS Sara Crocker, Benjamin Leatherman, Katya Schwenk, Elias Weiss COPY EDITOR Rebecca Rhoades CONTRIBUTORS David Abbott, Tiffany Acosta, Scott Bourque, Ole Braatelien, Nikki Michelle Charnstrom, Chris Coplan, Sara Crocker, Justin Freemyer, Gannon Hanevold, Kevin Hanlon, Beau Hodai, Mark C. 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No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means including electronic retrieval systems without the express written permission of the publisher, New Times, 1201 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034. Our paper is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled product. ▼ Contents Feature ▼ Fight Night How Phoenix became a hotbed of mixed martial arts champions. BY ELIAS WEISS | PAGE 13 Chow ▼ Meat Metropolis Phoenix is full of Korean barbecue, but Smoking Tiger proves there’s room for more. BY DOMINIC ARMATO| PAGE 20 7 News 13 Feature 18 Culture 20 Chow 33 Music Concerts ................................. 36 37 Cannabis On the Cover: Ryan Bader photo by Elsa/Getty Images. Paul Maghitas photo by Elias Weiss. Elsa/Getty Images VOL. 54 | NO. 17 | APRIL 27–MAY 3, 2023