Central PA Warrior Challenge 5

Ted Czech can give you more of the back story on this, but it sounds like Mark Jovich has pulled off some David Blaine type stuff to get York PA’s first MMA card at the Toyota Center. Apparently a while back Mark was told “No effin’ way will we ever let MMA darken our hallowed walls” (probably not a direct quote). But, at the end of the day, money talks and bullshit walks, and Mark was able to put together a multi-event deal with the Toyota Center. The first of those events will be the 5th edition of Central PA Warrior Challenge, which has grown into one of (if not the) premier events in Pennsylvania. Mark has grown steadily from an amateur show in a small-ish room in Lancaster to a very well produced pro/am show at the Marriot in Downtown Lancaster. Late last year Jovich took the show on the road when he paired up with boxing promoter Marshall Kauffman to co-host Pain on Penn St 2 at the Sovereign Center in Reading PA (the 2nd MMA show in Pagoda City). This will be, to my knowledge, the first show in York PA, a near neighbor and sporting rival to Lancaster. This landmark card will be anchored with Duane Bastress‘ 2nd pro fight. Bastress impressed the crowd with a second round “submission due to strikes” against Elder Ramos at the last CPWC. Hit the jump for the rest of the card.
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Coming off the total officiating breakdown that occurred around his last fight, Georgia’s 135′er Bryan Goldsby is set to main event Warrior Challenge 5 in York PA against Justin Skiz Scott. The fight is a step up for Scott, as Goldsby had a four fight win streak stopped in incredibly questionable fashion (though I agree with the eventual scoring) in a great fight against Jessie Riggleman. Justin, who’s fought on every Warrior Challenge card, is at the forefront of a tidal wave of talent coming out of Central PA. Goldsby will give the 2-0 pro a fight, and will put Scott at serious jeopardy of losing his first MMA fight, amateur or professional. Also on the card, which was posted tonight at MMA.tv is Adam Dull, who’s put together a four fight win streak, most recently stopping Eric Steppe in :33 via armbar and John Roach who impressed in his debut with a first round TKO at the last Warrior Challenge.

The fifth, and one year anniversary edition, of Central PA Warrior Challenge will go down on Thursday April 15th at the Toyota Arena in York PA. Promoter Mark Jovich tells me this will be his only Thursday night show, but its working out well as it coincides nicely with his one year anniversary. I’ve had to recuse myself from attending the show because I’ll be at work way too early on Friday morning. But if you are a Central PA native (and I know a few of you are), I would definitely encourage you to get your tickets quick. Mark throws a great event, and there are always excellent fights on his card.

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Warrior Challenge 5 Bout Poster

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Central PA Warrior Challenge, photo by: Brandt DeLorenzo, MMAPrints.com

Mark Jovich’s Warrior Challenge returns to the Lancaster Convention Center in down town Lancaster this Friday. Right off the bat, the two names to watch are Chad Hoare and Chad Strawbridge. Hoare took two and a half years off, and came back ripping off two impressive wins in the fourth quarter of 2009 and was an amateur I was excited to see turn pro. Here early in 2010 he’s ready to take the shin pads off and will make his paid debut against Williamsport PA’s Lewis Rumsey, who’s also making his professional debut. Duane Bastress is looking to defend his perfect 4-0 record against the current Operation Octagon (Virginia) Light Heavyweight Champion, Elder Ramos.
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