MMA returns to region
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Since Pennsylvania first legalized mixed martial arts fighting a few years ago, there have been several events in the Pittsburgh region.
Heck, even the UFC, the pinnacle of the sport’s oganizations, has made a stop in the ‘Burgh.
McGuffey High School graduate Dave Klick is just happy he’s able to hold events closer to home, rather than being forced to travel to Ohio to stage fight cards.
Klick, who has been promoting MMA events for the past six years, will return to Iceoplex at Southpointe for the third time Saturday with the Pittsburgh Challenge Series, a fight card that will include 10 bouts, five professional and five amateur.
“I think when people hear about it, they think one thing,” said Klick. “But if you go there, you’ll be really impressed. We do a great light show and the fighter introductions are top-notch. You wouldn’t know you were just here in Washington County.”
Saturday’s fights will be Klick’s first event in Pennsylvania under the new amateur rules. Previously, non-professional fighters were not permitted to strike each other once they went to the ground.
Now, both professional and amateur fighers can strike both standing or while on the ground.
Klick expects 1,200 to attend Saturday’s fights. He has already sold about 800 tickets.
The big draw will feature local favorite Mark Cherico, a native of Bloomfield who sports a perfect 4-0 professional record, against Donny Walker, a former UFC fighter who appeared on the undercard of UFC 132. Walker holds a 14-9 record.
“Cherico won an amatuer title two years ago and has never gone to a decision,” said Klick. “Donnie Walker fought in the UFC and was a champion in the NAAFF. It’s probably one of the best fights I’ve ever booked. I’m really excited to see it.”
Also on the card wil be a 155-pound title fight between Chris Mitchell (3-1) of Pittsburgh and Uniontown’s Nick Browne (5-1).
McGuffey High School graduate Caleb Dobosh (1-1) also will step into the cage for the third time as an amateur to battle Jared Newbraugh.
And who knows, those in attendance might get an opportunity to see a future MMA star.
“The sport is really starting to become something,” said Klick. “It’s really catching on. And I expect that now that MMA is legal in Pennsylvania, it’s only a matter of time before you see some of these guys moving up.”