Mirko Cro-Cop at UFC 103, photo by: Sherdog.com
Another big weekend for local fight fans, not only do we have the UFC‘s first salvo in the southern hemisphere since 1998, but we also have two major local pro events with Central PA Warrior Challenge and Ring of Combat. And lets not forget Asylum Fight League and Western PA’s Valley Fight League.
UFC 110 on Saturday night has major title implications with the winner of the Minotauro Noguiera vs Cain Velasquez main event getting a shot at Brock Lesnar‘s 265 belt this summer. In the co-feature, Wanderlei Silva looks to squash a two fight losing streak against Michael Bisping. Three Aussies are on the card, including Elvis Sinosic. But the surprise on the card is Mirko Cro-Cop, who was last scene waving off his fight with Junior dos Santos after taking a shot to the eye, is fighting Ben Rothwell in the first televised fight.
Backing up to Friday night, tough choices in where local fight fans will be. MAMMA will be in Lancaster for Warrior Challenge 4, where two exciting local amateurs, Chad Hoare and Chad Strawbridge will be making their pro debuts. Higher up the card, Justin Skiz Scott and Duane Bastress both put their undefeated records on the line in the co-main events.
In Jersey, Lou Neglia’s ROC comes back to Atlantic City’s Tropicana Resort on the Boardwalk. Some of the notables on the card include newly announced TUF Season 11 cast member Costa Phillipou, Chris The Story Liguori and friend of the program Brendan Barrett. Brendan’s moving up to heavyweight so he can enjoy his “fat guy food” and not have to worry about cutting 20+ pounds down to 205. I spoke with Brendan, who’s in Oregon training with Nate Quarry, and he told me “I’m 235 and shredded, bro.”
Saturday’s another busy day not only with UFC, but with Asylum’s return to Club Abyss in Sayresville NJ. 14 amateur fights on the card, including representatives from ATT Connecticut, NJ National Guard Fight Team, Gold Team, and Pellegrino MMA. Carl Mascarenhas has one title fight on the bill with Pitor Andrejko (Renzo Gracie Denville) vs Seth Cuevas (Combat Academy NY) for the league’s 160 lbs title.
Valley Fight League’s back in action despite losing main eventer (and welterweight title challenger) Charlie The Spaniard Brenneman to the UFC. The show is now anchored by Bret Thomas vs Sean Santella for the vacant lightweight title. On the amateur undercard seven fighters are scheduled to make their debuts.
If your reading The Mid-Atlantic MMA Blog, you are obviously a fan of the local fight scene. My suggestion is that you grab a couple non-fan friends, and take them to fights this weekend. Ring of Combat, Warrior Challenge, Asylum and Valley offer great opportunities to jump into the local fight scene (as did last weekend’s New Breed and next weekend’s Matrix shows). For our local promoters to succeed, we need to get new fans out to the fights. And with the bout sheets attached to the next round of shows coming up, this is the perfect time to introduce new fans to the fight game.
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