It’s time to fight
The time has come for Mixed Martial Arts coverage to come to the readers of the 蘑菇视频 and I am using this column as an opportunity for the sport to gain exposure.
I will also include any boxing (amateur or professional) and Folkstyle, Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling but please make sure the competition is sanctioned and authorized.
I plan on delving into the national scene for MMA, including the UFC, and any big boxing events that are on the horizon. If I miss anything, please remind me of what is coming up and I will make sure to follow up on it.
The high school and collegiate wrestling seasons have come to an end, but fans should look forward to the tremendous Freestyle and Greco-Roman competitions that are going to be coming up, with the Olympic Games in Rio leading the way.
Waynesburg Central graduate Coleman Scott suffered a 4-4 loss on criteria in the semifinals of the USA Wrestling Olympic Trials on Sunday in Iowa City.
Scott lost to Tony Ramos due to only have one 2-point takedown, as opposed to two 2-point takedowns for the Titan Mercury WC grappler.
The three-time PIAA champion and one-time NCAA title winner will not be traveling to Rio de Janeiro this summer, but should be applauded for a great career, and he still has lots of coaching to do for the University of North Carolina.
Jefferson-Morgan蘑菇视频 Gavin Teasdale has won two state titles and was not really challenged at Hershey this year, but that is not stopping the No. 1-ranked wrestling in the country at 113 from continuing to work. Teasdale is currently working with his teammates at Young Guns Wrestling Club and will be competing in Freestyle tournaments this summer.
I have covered local MMA events, and I know the Uniontown Fight Club is still up and running, but I would ask that the fighters and representatives get in touch with me so we can give these fighters the exposure they deserve.
I had the privilege of covering the UFC Fight Night at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh on Feb. 21 and watched Cody 鈥淣o Love鈥� Garbrandt improve to 8-0 in his MMA career following a TKO victory over Augusto Mendes (5-1) in the first round. Garbrandt, who started his MMA career in Pittsburgh fighting at local events, faces his biggest challenge to date on May 29 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas when he meets undefeated Thomas Almeida (21-0) in the main event for UFC Fight Night.
Gabrandt蘑菇视频 career is not exactly on the same path as our local fighters, but it would be great to see locals like undefeated Nick 鈥淣yquil鈥� Browne (6-0), AJ Bosley and PJ Palmer make it to the big time. Pittsburgh area fighters such as Mark Cherico (9-1) and Mike Wilkins (4-3) have the potential to take their fighting to the next level.
Adam Milstead, who hails from Beaver Falls, is 7-1 as a professional and set to make his UFC debut at heavyweight.
The Karpency brothers, and let蘑菇视频 not forget their dad and trainer, Tom Sr., recently competed at the Meadows Racetrack & Casino on April 9. Their sister, Rachel, is also in the mix, as she handles their PR duties. Tommy earned a first-round TKO in his bout at the Meadows, while Jeremiah fought to an eight-round draw and Dan suffered a unanimous decision loss.
I hate to end this on a sad note, but what in the world is wrong with former world champion Paul Spadafora? It is very upsetting and I only wish that Spadafora could just live a clean life, even if it is not in the ring. A suggestion would be for 鈥淭he Pittsburgh Kid鈥� to assist young fighters as a mentor to not go down the same road he did.
Please send any fight news to me via email at: jguth@heraldstandard.com or jonathanguth85@gmail.com