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PCSP Hidden Gems: Nominate Your Favorite PGH Spot Today!

“Hunter, WTF is this post?”

I get it. I truly get it.

You see food and you wonder if you stumbled into the wrong apartment.

Nope. It’s us. 247 Fighting Championships here, at your service.

But to answer that question…

First off, blame Ryan. It was his idea.

Second, let me explain (because it is an awesome idea –– blind squirrels, etc.)

We record our Pittsburgh Combat Sports Podcast (PCSP) every Friday at 10 AM ET.

We just wrapped up Episode 25 with Jake Lowry, and we’ve had everyone from local coaches to UFC commentators to UFC fighters to Bellator fighters to local legends to local amateurs on the show.

You get the point. It’s a blast.

But Ryan noticed a trend.

Almost every Friday, Ryan and I end up snagging lunch somewhere in the area. Both of us are a little adventurous with our palates, and we always want to try the hottest place in *channels inner Yinzer* taaahhhnnnn.

So why not combine the two Friday traditions?

This Friday, we attacked Brookline’s Oak Hill Post. I’ll have a thorough review on Oak Hill Post for our blog Monday, but for now, Imma let this picture do the talking:

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Oh yes.

So here’s the deal:

We want to hear your favorite HIDDEN GEM in Pittsburgh.

We know Primanti’s and Fat Heads and Tako and Bar Marco and, and, and…

Surprise us instead.

Give us somewhere you genuinely feel is undervalued and underrated in Pittsburgh.

Sure, we’re an MMA promotion. But we also love to eat and we love Pittsburgh.

Why not tie it all together, record the podcast on-location every Friday, and make this a super-special Yinzer celebration?

Some ground rules:

The spot has to be open at 10 AM (or willing to let us in early to record the podcast)
The spot has to be ~30 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh (We love ya, Beaver County, but we’re not making a trip to New Brighton for this … yet.)
The spot has to be delicious.

That’s it.

Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram where we need to go. We’ll take it from there.

Every Monday, we’ll review the stop on our blog, and at the end of the year, we’ll unveil the PCSP Hidden Gem Award.

It’s like a Michelin star but way cooler, obviously.

Could the winner be your hidden gem?

The first person to nominate the winning establishment gets TWO FREE CAGESIDE TICKETS to our first Pittsburgh show of 2023.

Let’s get it!

Jake Lowry’s success is no secret.

Lowry, a 2-0 pro middleweight out of Lower Burrell’s Mat Factory Wrestling Club, embraces the grind.

Sure, that phrase might be a little cliche in the MMA space. But Lowry’s been through it. He suffered an injury that set back his collegiate wrestling career before making the move to MMA, and nothing about that new journey was easy.

Once he joined the Mat Factory? Yeah, things don’t get any easier there.

Speaking with 247 Fighting Championships General Manager Hunter Homistek, Lowry discusses his career path, his time at the Mat Factory, his impenetrable mental game, and much more.

(SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY, GOOGLE PODCASTS, AND STITCHER HERE)

You’re gonna like this one, ladies and gentlemen.

Enjoy the show:

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Brawl in the Burgh 10 lit up the Monroeville Convention Center.

The fights brought the heat. The crowd lost its mind.

The night perfectly represented why we do what we do at 247 Fighting Championships.

— Watch the full Brawl in the Burgh 10 Replay Here —

Khama Worthy’s hometown return is impossible to ignore. He methodically stalked Jeremiah Scott and picked his shots, capping the night with a savage TKO victory.

If you needed a reminder, Worthy served it up with a smile. Yeah, the dude’s still pretty damn good at fighting.

And before Worthy took the cage, Justin Patton got back in the win column with the rarely seen Von Flue choke, sending Josh Armstrong to an early naptime in Round 1 of their professional tilt.

Huge as those moments were, they also mark the kinda talking points you can expect from a traditional event recap.

Like this one.

With this post, though, I’d rather go behind the scenes and surprise you. Cool?

Cool.

Here are five takeaways you didn’t expect to read from Brawl in the Burgh 10:

Chris Dempsey’s Coaching

The Mat Factory’s Chris Dempsey is an impressive dude and an impressive fighter. We’ve known this for years, as he climbed the regional ranks all the way to the UFC and Bellator cages in his professional MMA career.

Now, Dempsey primarily focuses on grappling tournaments and coaching –– and what a transition it’s been.

Besides tearing up mats across the nation, Dempsey is fully coming into his own as a coach on fight night. He’s always present with his Mat Factory teammates, but it seemed like he took a noticeable step forward at Brawl in the Burgh 10.

Dempsey got his guys ready and offered perfect in-fight advice –– none better than this bit during Edwin Vera‘s showdown against Awstin Martinez.

Midway through Round 1, Vera slid into mount, but Martinez tied up and prevented his opponent from posturing.

“Press on his face and punch. Press on his face and punch!”

Dempsey’s instructions were clear and concise, and clearly, Vera got the memo:

It’s such a small detail, and it’s not a mind-blowing technique by any means. But Dempsey recognizing the moment, knowing his fighter, and having his fighter respond instantly with positive results proves he’s finding his groove in the corner.

That was awesome to see.

Gavin Teasdale’s perfect MMA debut

Gavin Teasdale entered his Brawl in the Burgh 10 matchup against Tyler Fry shouldering mountains of hype and high expectations.

Teasdale, a four-time PA state-champ wrestler, is exactly the type of blue-chip prospect MMA promoters and fans alike love to see make that jump into the cage.

But with hype comes pressure. And with pressure come nerves. And with nerves inside that steel cage often comes paralysis –– mental, physical, or both.

Not for Gavin, though.

Now, if you watched in person or if you caught the PPV/replay, you might be surprised to hear me call this debut “perfect.” After all, Fry debatably did more damage. Fry came closest to finishing the fight, both on the feet and on the ground. Fry attacked and attacked –– even from his back –– while Gavin opted for pressure and control.

Here’s the equalizer: Gavin trained MMA for two and a half months when he made that walk Feb. 5. That’s like … 75 days of actual MMA training.

What he needed, more than anything, was cage time. He got all six possible minutes of it. Check.

He needed a dangerous opponent who could threaten him on the feet and on the ground. Check.

He needed to flash those wrestling instincts and adapt them to MMA. Check.

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A quick victory would’ve proven little. In fact, a quick, easy win might’ve made Gavin think life inside the cage would be a breeze.

Instead, this hard-fought, close decision proved to Gavin that he can do this –– but there’s plenty of work to be done.

As a fighter and as a competitor, I’m positive the experience only motivated Gavin to get back into Indio Dojo, push forward, and figure out how he can prevent the fight from going to the judges’ scorecards next time.

That’s a perfect debut.

— VIEW THE FULL BITB10 PHOTO GALLERIES HERE —

Jeremiah Scott & Carolina Kickboxing Academy: Pure Professionalism

Khama stole the show at Brawl in the Burgh 10. There’s no denying that.

But we gotta talk about his opponent, Jeremiah Scott, and that entire Carolina Kickboxing Academy crew.

They rolled six deep into the Monroeville Convention Center for this one, which might not seem crazy until you consider the logistics. That’s six plane tickets. Six meals per mealtime. Three hotel rooms. Etc. etc.

It’s a whole lot to manage from the jump.

Now, factor in this detail: Their connecting flight to Pittsburgh got canceled due to the winter storm.

For a brief moment, the entire crew was trapped in Baltimore (of all places … terrifying, I know) and it was unclear to us if they’d be able to make it to the fight.

That fear lasted about 30 seconds.

Jeremiah rented a car, the crew piled in, and they braved the snow and ice to get to Monroeville, make weight, and put on a show for the fans.

They literally could have pulled the plug (with good reason!) a half dozen times from South Carolina to Pittsburgh, and they never blinked.

That’s professionalism. That’s what we love to work with here.

jeremiah-scott-portrait-247-fighting-championships-bitb10-backstage

Jeremiah Scott warms up backstage before his Brawl in the Burgh 10 bout vs. Khama Worthy. (Photo credit: P-L Photos / @paul_luc_photos)

Setup secrets

Notice anything different inside the Monroeville Convention Center for Brawl in the Burgh 10?

If you’ve been to a previous show at that location, you definitely did.

Due to another event happening backstage, we had to set up a little differently for Brawl in the Burgh 10. The runway came from a different angle, and the cage was a little more off-center from the main entrance than usual. All this meant the table layout and numbering system were different, too.

In addition, see those black-and-blue curtains to the far right in this picture?

Those were the fighters’ dressing rooms. Usually, we section off fighters and coaches behind the double doors near the concession area, but we had to get creative due to that other event happening backstage.

Here’s another insider nugget for you: The Monroeville Convention Center recently installed a new fire detection system, and our smoke machines don’t play nicely. If you were at Brawl in the Burgh 9, you probably remember.

Yeah. That sucked.

For Brawl in the Burgh 10, we had to cut out the smoke and instead go heavier with the lights during fighter walkouts. It wasn’t perfect, but it’s what we had to do. We’re continuing to find a solution there.

These notes represent just a small sample of the hundreds of little things we have to consider –– and they all add up to the finished product you saw on fight night. Thankfully, our team is outstanding and can adapt to these situations on the fly.

Rob Thomas at R/T Audio and his team always kill it with the in-arena sound. Mike Moran, Michael Sorg, and E2A Productions handle the PPV/video with style. Luke Payson and Ryan Cavanaugh are showing off some awesome chemistry and growth in the commentary booth. We’re proud of the element they bring to the show.

Our cage/setup crew led by Brian Smith is always quick and efficient. They’re crucial for fight night.

Which leads us to our final point…

It’s Only Getting Better

We’re learning. We’re growing.

Sure, we’re proud of Brawl in the Burgh 10. That was an awesome night of fights in front of a packed crowd that left us buzzin’ well after the final bell.

But there’s so much work to do –– not just for us at 247 Fighting Championships, but for Pittsburgh MMA as a whole. And that’s where things get ultra exciting.

— SUPPORT LOCAL MMA AT THE 247 FC SHOP —

The scene is electric right now, and we’re going to continue to prop up and spotlight gyms, fighters, and coaches to propel us all forward. We believe Western PA can be a special place for combat sports.

Furthermore, we believe it’s well on its way.

We’re not alone there, either. Look around, and you’ll see fighters such as Dalton Rosta, Steve Mowry, and Cody Law tearing it up in Bellator. Josh Fremd just got signed to the UFC (full podcast with him here). With Khama’s win over Scott, another big-time promotion could come knockin’.

Still not sold?

Hear it from Fremd himself –– a guy who’s lived the exact journey we’re trying to help facilitate:

Buckle up, friends.

It only gets better from here.

Ready for our next one? Brawl in the Burgh 11 brings us back to the Monroeville Convention Center Saturday, April 16. Get those tickets and get ready for another incredible night of fights.

Brawl in the Burgh 10 ruled.

Feb. 5’s fight card marked perhaps 247 Fighting Championships’ most hyped and hotly anticipated event to date –– and it delivered on every promise and then some.

From Khama Worthy’s hometown return to the high-profile bantamweight title fight between Hunter Starner and Cam Allgeier to Gavin Teasdale’s MMA debut and everything in between, this event brought the packed Monroeville Convention Center to its feet early and often.

— WATCH THE FULL BRAWL IN THE BURGH 10 REPLAY HERE —

Julian Flenory started the show with an absolute bang, knocking out Matt Vanderhoff in just 16 seconds to set the tone.

Things took an unfortunate turn one bout later, as Craig Perry injured his arm while posting during a takedown from Anthoney Morris.

If you’re squeamish, I recommend looking away…

Normally, I’d hesitate to share the image (captured beautifully by P-L Photos, I might add), but Craig handled the situation remarkably well and was actually excited to see it.

He was in high spirits just moments after visiting the hospital, and he apologized to us repeatedly.

Yeah, he apologized.

There’s obviously no reason for him to be sorry or anything of the sort, but Craig showed his character and mental makeup in the wake of the injury. He’ll be back –– no doubt about it.

— VIEW FULL PHOTO GALLERIES FROM EVERY FIGHT RIGHT HERE —

From there, the show rolled on, with Evan DeLong and Kenyon Moore putting on a Fight of the Night contender just before Gavin made his MMA debut against the game and dangerous Tyler Fry.

Gavin learned that MMA isn’t wrestling immediately, eating a hard kick from Fry just seconds into the fight. That strike definitely caught his attention, but Gavin did what Gavin does: He powered forward, snatched a leg, dumped Fry on his back, and dictated the fight.

Fry threw up a gauntlet of submission attempts for three rounds, but the story of this one was all about wrestling and control.

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Edwin Vera and Awstin Martinez ran with the torch from there, putting on a fast-paced, action-packed three-round advanced amateur tilt to set the stage for the night’s title fight.

Cam Allgeier and Hunter Starner entered their showdown at 6-0 apiece –– the classic “Somebody’s 0 has got to go” scenario.

In the end, Starner controlled the fight by repeatedly putting Cam on his back and winning wrestling exchanges, but this was a beautiful example of the talent level out there at the advanced amateur level.

Cam showed off his slick submission game and some greatly improved standup throughout the fight, but as was the case for Teasdale vs. Fry, good old-fashioned wrestling was king in this one.

The pro fighters took the stage next, capping off a glorious night of fights at Brawl in the Burgh 10.

Both Justin Patton and Josh Armstrong needed a win –– and they wasted no time getting after it.

Armstrong landed a hard side kick to start the fight, but Patton utilized that opportunity to dump his foe to the canvas. While Armstrong looked for the guillotine during that transition, Patton once again countered, and the fight was a wrap.

You don’t see it often in MMA, but the Von Flue choke is devastating when it’s there. Patton sensed the opportunity and pressured Armstrong’s neck in textbook fashion, putting him to sleep.

Then Khama took center stage.

Fresh off a five-fight UFC run, Khama returned to the 247 FC cage to face the dangerous Jeremiah Scott in the Brawl in the Burgh 10 main event.

The Monroeville Convention Center was downright electric for this one, and Khama clearly fed off that energy. From the opening bell, Khama showcased his devastating striking game, landing kicks, knees, and punches to keep Scott off-balance and on the defensive.

While Scott repeatedly threw some serious return fire, it was Khama who turned out the lights in Round 1. A hard knee to the body crumpled Scott, and Khama pounced, following up with an array of attacks that forced Chip Snider to step in and stop the fight.

He’s back (And that “Say Cheese” moment was captured by the man behind the lens, Chris Bermudo).

Here are the full Brawl in the Burgh 10 Results:

Khama Worthy def. Jeremiah Scott via TKO (2:21, Round 1)
Justin Patton def. Josh Armstrong via submission (Von Flue choke, 1:43, Round 1)
Hunter Starner def. Cam Allgeier via unanimous decision (wins 247 FC amateur bantamweight title)
Edwin Vera def. Awstin Martinez via unanimous decision
Gavin Teasdale def. Tyler Fry via unanimous decision
Evan DeLong def. Kenyon Moore via split decision
Anthoney Morris def. Craig Perry via TKO (Perry injured arm, 0:25, Round 1)
Julian Flenory def. Matt Vanderhoff via TKO (0:16, Round 1)

— WATCH THE FULL BRAWL IN THE BURGH 10 REPLAY HERE —

Josh Fremd is headed to the UFC.

Yeah, that’s sort of a big deal.

Fremd, a Western PA native currently living and training at Factory X in Denver, notched a massive victory at FAC 12, moving his pro record to 9-2 and punching his ticket to the big show.

Speaking with 247 Fighting Championships General Manager Hunter Homistek, Fremd discusses that fight and his overall MMA journey. In addition, the two dig into the psychology of losing, the impact of Fremd’s Western PA roots, and more.

(SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST ON APPLE PODCASTS, SPOTIFY, GOOGLE PODCASTS, AND STITCHER HERE)

Oh, and if you want to know a fight Fremd hopes to get back one day and hear a hilarious story about his first interaction with the Mat Factory’s Jake Lowry… Well, just listen.

Enjoy the show:

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Brawl in the Burgh 10 weigh-ins are here.

Our Feb. 5 show at the Monroeville Convention Center is upon us, and the Pittsburgh Combat Sports Podcast (subscribe here) is on the scene to break down all the action.

Today (Friday), fighters will weigh in at the Monroeville Convention Center and pass one last pre-fight check before making that walk to the 247 FC cage.

Khama Worthy vs. Jeremiah Scott. Justin Patton vs. Josh Armstrong. Cam Allgeier vs. Hunter Starner undefeated super-prospect title fight. Gavin Teasedale’s MMA debut.

All that and more goes down SATURDAY in Monroeville.

You know what to do:

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

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Brawl in the Burgh 10 takes over the Monroeville Convention Center SATURDAY, Feb. 5.

<<< GET YOUR TICKETS >>>

Now, it is not often –– especially in the pandemic era –– that we get to go out and just enjoy ourselves.

So much has changed in the past couple years that simply going out on a weekend doesn’t even seem to happen anymore.

With that said, Brawl in the Burgh 10 is here, and the Monroeville Convention Center doors will be wide open Saturday night for a fun, action-packed night of live MMA goodness.

Here are the top 10 reasons to take a trip to Monroeville for Brawl in the Burgh 10.

10. You haven’t had fun in so long.

You have been trapped in a desperate state of boredom. It’s time to start living again. It’s time to start enjoying yourself again. It’s time to feel good about yourself again. It’s time to unwind, have a beer or two and just let all the stress roll off this weekend while you kick back and watch some fights.

The dishes will be there when you get home, and the laundry won’t go anywhere. A nice, couple-hour break can do wonders for you.

9. Pittsburgh has a TON of up-and-coming talent.

There are literally 10 gyms in the area that are putting out top-notch talent, and quite a few of those gyms will be heavily represented on this card (we spotlight some local gyms in this blog post!).

You will be amazed that there is this subculture of local MMA right here in Pittsburgh, and getting to see the stars of tomorrow early in their careers is a treat you will certainly enjoy. One day, we truly believe you’ll be able to look back on this Brawl in the Burgh 10 fight card and say you saw some of these guys fight live before they were uber-famous.

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8. Edwin Vera.

That’s it. That’s the point. What more do you need?

Edwin Vera is one of the most exciting fighters anywhere. He is always fun, and he is willing to go toe-to-toe with anyone. He is truly a fighter’s fighter, throwing down like there is no tomorrow. You can guarantee Edwin is willing to fight anywhere, anytime, and against anyone.

Coming from the Bronx, he has the heart of a champion and all the tools to excite the crowd. And the best part is his personality. He is known to make everyone laugh, and when you’re around Edwin, it’s a guaranteed good time. His opponent at Brawl in the Burgh 10, Awstin Martinez, is an ANIMAL who finishes tough opponents, making this an early contender for Fight of the Night.

We can’t wait.

7. MMA Debuts

Getting to see people make their first walk to the cage is something special. How will they perform? How will they transition from other sports to MMA? How will they react to the pressure? The lights? The spotlight?

It’s a different world getting that first MMA experience. You would be shocked to find out how many fighters have one MMA fight and never fight again.

Everyone has to have their first fight. Jon Jones made his pro debut back in 2008 in Foxborough Massachusetts for Full Force Promotions. Khama Worthy debuted in 2009 in Alabama!

You may get to see a future superstar dip their toes in the MMA waters and brag about it later. Gavin Teasdale (see below) and Matt Vanderhoff both make their debuts Saturday night. Get hyped.

6. Regional MMA is cooler than the UFC in many ways.

Skeptical? Yeah, we get it. This sounds like Promoter-Speak 101. But stepping back and taking an objective stance, there’s just so much to love about a local MMA show.

A packed, rabid crowd FILLED with family, close friends, coaches, and training partners genuinely “hits different.” The passion inside the Monroeville Convention Center for Brawl in the Burgh 10 will be off the charts. That’s a guarantee.

Still not sold?

Let UFC commentator Jon Anik break it down for you (and subscribe to the Pittsburgh Combat Sports Podcast while you’re at it for more like this):

5. There are some amateur fighters on this card who are nothing short of exhilarating!

Julian Flenory is an undefeated beast. Craig Perry set the crowd on fire back in his MMA debut at Brawl in the Burgh 9. Perry’s opponent, Anthoney Morris, brings WAR to every fight and says he’s more prepared than ever.

Evan Delong and Kenyon Moore are both unbeaten and have seemed invincible in their short time in the cage. Tyler Fry has ALL the tools and moxie to spoil the big debut of Teasdale.

See what we mean? There isn’t a single fight on this card that doesn’t bring an interesting matchup or storyline to the table. Top to bottom, this fight card promises to deliver.

<<< GET YOUR TICKETS >>>

4. Justin Patton is a HUGE fan favorite.

Justin Patton was out of action for a long time and hasn’t been able to get back on the winning track since his return.

Josh Armstrong is Patton’s next challenge at Brawl in the Burgh 10, and these two pros each look to pick up their first professional win. Armstrong is a big-time fighter who has faced a who’s-who of tough dudes. The same can be said for Patton, who routinely takes on the toughest tests available.

This fight is flying under the radar, and I think these two are poised to put on a massive show on Saturday!

3. Cameron Allgeier vs. Hunter Starner MONSTER TITLE FIGHT

This is what it’s all about.

Two of the best amateur bantamweights in the nation throw down for 247 FC gold, and what a fight it’ll be (breakdown here).

Cam Allgeier, the current 247 FC amateur bantamweight king, is 6-0. Hunter Starner is 6-0. They’re both young. They’ve both dominated opposition to this point.

The winner of this fight can make a real claim as the TOP amateur bantamweight in the United States. It’d be tough to dispute.

This is as high-level as an amateur title fight gets, ladies and gentlemen.

2. Gavin Teasdale is one of the best PA wrestlers EVER!

Again, it sounds like Promoter Speak, right?

It’s not.

Gavin won states four times in high school at Jefferson-Morgan. Four times. Yes, your math is correct. He won every. single. year. That makes him just one of 13 wrestlers to ever accomplish that feat in the state of Pennsylvania.

Elite company.

Gavin was 162-2 overall in his high-school wrestling career, and he’s hoping those skills translate to the cage when he takes on the well-rounded Central PA MMA product Tyler Fry.

Believe us: Fry and his team want to spoil Teasdale’s debut in a big, big way. Will Teasdale and his crew at Indio Dojo let that happen?

We’re about to find out.

1. The Death Star is back –– and he has a HUGE challenge on his hands.

C’mon. You can’t talk about Brawl in the Burgh 10 without discussing this main-event showdown between Pittsburgh MMA legend Khama Worthy and Carolina Kickboxing Academy’s Jeremiah Scott.

This fight tops the card, and for good reason. It’s INSANE!

Not only is it Khama’s first fight since leaving the UFC after a five-fight stint in which he notched two impressive stoppage victories, but it’s also an opportunity for Jeremiah to catapult up the rankings and establish himself as a fighter to watch on the national level.

There is so much at stake for each fighter here –– and each man boasts the power and the skill to stop this fight anywhere, any time. In eight professional victories, Jeremiah’s gone to a decision just once.

Khama, meanwhile, has finished his opponent in 12 of his 16 career wins (including those two inside the legendary UFC Octagon).

So yeah. You probably don’t want to blink when these two take the cage to cap off an incredible evening of fights.

See yinz there. It’s showtime.

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Brawl in the Burgh 10 is almost here…

And KDKA’s Daisy Jade stopped in to visit main-event fighter Khama Worthy ahead of Feb. 5’s big show.

Pittsburgh Today Live dropped into The Academy Monday morning to preview 247 Fighting Championships’ Brawl in the Burgh 10 fight card.

<<< GET YOUR TICKETS HERE >>>

Throughout the segment, which aired live on CBS Pittsburgh, Daisy and Khama discussed fighting, self-defense, and more.

To wrap things up, Khama even gave Daisy a quick lesson on the bags.

Enjoy the segment in full, embedded right here:

(P.S. This event is filling up rapidly. You do not want to miss Brawl in the Burgh 10, friends. Get those tickets today.)

Brawl in the Burgh 10 is almost here.

And yeah, we’re just a little hyped about this fight card.

Our Feb. 5 show at the Monroeville Convention Center is filling up rapidly. Today, we bring you a fresh Pittsburgh Combat Sports Podcast to break down all the action.

Joining 247 Fighting Championships GM Hunter Homistek and Owner Ryan Middleton on today’s episode of the podcast is Ryan Cavanaugh, a veteran sports broadcaster and commentator who is joining the 247 FC team for Brawl in the Burgh 10 and beyond.

Cavanaugh made his 247 FC commentary debut at Brawl in the Burgh 9, and he’s ready to get back after it for this stacked Brawl in the Burgh 10 event at the Monroeville Convention Center.

From Khama Worthy‘s main event against Jeremiah Scott to the bantamweight title fight between two 6-0 fighters in Cam Allgeier and Hunter Starner and everywhere in between, the crew analyzes this Brawl in the Burgh 10 fight card, giving you every reason to get hyped for Feb. 5.

It’s almost showtime, friends. You know what to do:

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

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Yinz like gold?

Awesome. Because Brawl in the Burgh 10 features an advanced amateur title fight plus one of the most exciting featherweights in Pittsburgh…

Last week, we discussed the novice amateurs opening up the Brawl in the Burgh 10 fight card. With both the blog post and our podcast (subscribe here) one theme became clear: This event is stacccckkkeeeddd from the opening bell.

From Gavin Teasdale‘s MMA debut and beyond, the debut/one-fight/two-fight competitors on this card bring a pedigree far beyond their experience level. There’s every reason to think one of those matchups could steal the show.

Then you look farther up the card and, uhh … One of these advanced amateur fights might just take home Fight of the Night honors, too. Good luck deciding which it’ll be.

First up, let’s talk about that golden opportunity.

Undefeated 247 FC bantamweight champ Cam Allgeier (6-0) faces another spotless super prospect in Renegade Combat Club’s Hunter Starner (6-0) at Brawl in the Burgh 10.

This fight is just bonkers, friends.

Allgeier has blown through everyone on his way to capturing the 247 FC amateur bantamweight strap, and Starner’s traveled an identical path, winning gold for Virginia’s Cagezilla FC and Rocket Combat Sports promotions. A powerful wrestler with elite athleticism, Starner hopes he’s the answer to the so-far-unsolvable Allgeier puzzle.

But Allgeier’s been here before.

In just his last bout back in August at Brawl in the Burgh 8 (FREE full fight video here), Allgeier faced the 5-0 Asher Frederick for the strap.

Minutes into the fight, Allgeier trapped Frederick in a triangle, and the bout was sealed.

This one is going to light up the Monroeville Convention Center. That’s a guarantee.

(P.S. This event is filling up rapidly. You do not want to miss this fight card, friends. Get those tickets today.)

As if that isn’t enough…

If you’ve followed 247 Fighting Championships for any amount of time, you know the name Edwin Vera. And if you know the name Edwin Vera, you probably know an Edwin Vera fight means one thing: All-out chaos.

Vera (3-2) forged his entire career to date inside the 247 FC cage, and he’s had precisely zero boring or lackluster fights during that run. While he’s dropped his last two in a row, there’s no doubt Vera is as dangerous as they come once the cage door closes. Training at the Mat Factory with Isaac Greeley and company, we have a feeling Vera will be dialed in and ready to bounce back Feb. 5.

And he better be.

His opponent, Awstin Martinez (5-5), is an absolute firecracker. He’s finished his opponent in all five of his victories (four KOs, one submission), most recently knocking out Fabian Tapia-Villa via head kick … in just eight seconds.

Something tells us this fight won’t last long. Blinking is not recommended when these two take the cage.

Our next Brawl in the Burgh 10 article digs into the professional bouts atop the card… Stay tuned.

Want free tickets to Brawl in the Burgh 10?

Our Feb. 5 show at the Monroeville Convention Center is booking up quickly –– but we’re giving you the opportunity to snag two tickets at no cost.

Here’s the deal:

Predict the outcome of UFC 270’s main event between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. Closest prediction wins.

Now, that’s not just picking the winner.

We’re talking winner, method, round, and time. We need specific answers, and the closest prediction wins.

For example, if you think Ngannou wins via early KO, your guess would be something like: “Ngannou via KO, Round 1 (2:12).”

If two people make identical predictions and they’re both correct, the first person who said it win. Easy tiebreaker, eh?

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Thanks, Billy Mays (RIP).

After laying down the UFC 270 prediction challenge, 247 Fighting Championships GM Hunter Homistek and Owner Ryan Middleton dig into the Brawl in the Burgh 10 card, breaking down all the novice amateur action set for Feb. 5.

Spoiler alert: There is a lot to get excited about here. This card is loaded top to bottom, and Hunter and Ryan discuss exactly why (while sharing a few behind-the-scenes secrets along the way, of course).

Brawl in the Burgh 10 takes place Feb. 5, and it’s headlined by local legend and former UFC lightweight Khama Worthy. This one’s going to sell quickly, so:

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

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The future of local MMA prospects is here.

And the next step in their journey takes place Feb. 5 at Brawl in the Burgh 10.

It’s a beautiful thing.

MMA in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region is as strong now as it’s been in years. (And this holds true despite a certain virus lingering and complicating life at all levels.)

For us at 247 Fighting Championships, the MMA prospect pipeline is particularly interesting and encouraging. Obviously, we want to put on the best fights possible for our fans.

Spoiler alert: That mission’s just a little easier when blue-chip athletes make the transition to MMA.

Brawl in the Burgh 10 marks the perfect representation of this fact, as several debut or one-fight MMA prospects are ready to throw down.

For starters, four-time PIAA champion wrestler Gavin Teasdale makes his MMA debut Feb. 5 in Monroeville. Wrestling fans know Gavin well. He’s one of just 13 wrestlers to ever take states all four years, putting him in elite and rare company.

Now, Teasdale’s building his MMA skill set with Danillo Villefort at Indio Dojo, making him a hyper-intriguing prospect to watch when the lights go down at the Monroeville Convention Center.

Teasdale discussed this opportunity and more with Luke Payson on MMA Fancast ahead of his showdown against Central PA MMA’s Tyler Fry:

It’s not just Teasdale on this card, either.

Another former Division-1 wrestler out of Clarion University, Evan DeLong, looks to make it 2-0 in his young career at Brawl in the Burgh 10 when he faces Teixeira MMA’s Kenyon Moore (2-0, and yes, it’s that Teixeira).

DeLong’s wrestling was on full display in his MMA debut back in August at Flood City Fight Night, and now he hopes to show off the new tools he honed with Isaac Greely and company at the Mat Factory out in Lower Burrell.

And that highlights the real beauty of our current MMA prospect situation.

The sport is evolving, and the blue-chip prospect of yesterday isn’t the same as today’s. We’re getting not just elite one-sport athletes but elite fighters, and that makes future fight cards all the more intriguing.

In Pittsburgh, training options are at an all-time high. If you want to start your MMA career, you can pick exactly where you want to go –– and top-notch instructors and training partners will greet you there.

Take Craig Perry for example.

Perry, a former hockey player, saw Khama Worthy compete inside the legendary UFC Octagon and realized a future for an MMA fighter in Pittsburgh was a real possibility. He signed up at the Academy, and his career is in motion.

Despite little combat sports experience, Perry debuted at the age of 19 at Brawl in the Burgh 9 back in October and looked slick and polished on the feet. He didn’t boast the combat-sports pedigree of some other guys mentioned in this article, but his skills inside the cage impressed everybody who tuned in, live and at home.

(P.S. Both Worthy and Perry are back in action Feb. 5 at Brawl in the Burgh 10. You don’t want to miss this fight card, friends. Get those tickets today.)

Perry actually lost that Brawl in the Burgh 9 fight via split decision to another top-quality prospect in Scorpion Fighting Systems’ Sean McGuire, but McGuire’s coach, James Gray, shared a message with us immediately after the fight:

“That kid is good.”

Hard to disagree –– but the fun doesn’t stop there.

Julian Flenory (2-0) makes his 247 Fighting Championships debut at Brawl in the Burgh 10 after beginning his career with two straight knockout wins. He faces debut heavyweight Matt Vanderhoff in a fight that almost certainly won’t go the distance.

Mike Kocjancic (0-1) out of American Top Team – Happy Valley squares off with another local prospect in Sam Wahby (1-0) in a perfect showcase of the current landscape unfolding for us.

Ready for a cherry on top?

This is all to say nothing of the homegrown advanced-amateur prospects you already know and love on this Brawl in the Burgh 10 fight card.

Syd Ross fights for a title. Cam Allgeier fights for a title. Edwin Vera brings the heat in advanced amateur action (Ju heard?).

Good luck picking the fight or the prospect you’re most excited to see.

Better training in Pittsburgh and beyond attracts better prospects, then those prospects put in work with each other, sharpening skills and raising the bar for everyone around them.

It’s a snowball effect, and Pittsburgh is rolling right now.

If you’re not on board yet, now’s the time.

It only gets better from here.

Our next Brawl in the Burgh 10 prospects article digs into the advanced amateurs… Stay tuned.

Musa Alsulaimani is built different.

Yeah, yeah, that phrase is a bit of a cliche nowadays. But let me frame it this way:

2019 National Champion boxer out of Penn State
Two-time All-American
Wins his MMA debut via … submission (obviously)
Trains alongside Bo Nickal and company at American Top Team – Happy Valley
Started a successful company in college

And, oh yeah, he’s doing all this while juggling life as a 25-year-old father and husband pursuing a career inside the steel cage … and he’s crushing it.

“Moose” is still young in his fighting career, but there’s no doubt he’s taking all the steps to ensure a successful run to the top. American Top Team – Happy Valley has emerged as one of central PA’s elite training facilities, and Alsulaimani will only improve from here.

Speaking with 247 Fighting Championships General Manager Hunter Homistek on the Pittsburgh Combat Sports Podcast (subscribe here) Alsulaimani details his journey from boxer to MMA fighter. From that first wrestling session with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club to his current routine at ATT – Happy Valley, Alsulaimani’s putting in that work –– and his goals are mighty.

Beyond the cage, Alsulaimani discusses life as a new father, his business venture (you’re going to want to hear this), and much more.

Throw on some headphones and enjoy the show.

P.S. Alsulaimani’s teammate Mike Kocjancic competes at our next event! Brawl in the Burgh 10 takes place Feb. 5, and it’s headlined by local legend and former UFC lightweight Khama Worthy. #BitB10 also features a trio of title fights with Ethan Goss, Cam Allgeier, and Syd Ross taking center stage at the Monroeville Convention Center. This one’s going to sell quickly, so:

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

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Want to give back to those who sacrifice so much for us?

Donate Brawl in the Burgh 10 tickets to a veteran today!

Every event, we donate tickets ($1,500 value) to Vet Tix, giving U.S. military veterans the opportunity to attend our shows at no cost.

From Vet Tix:

Give Something to Those Who Gave.

Vet Tix provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. We support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country.Vet Tix provides tickets to all branches of currently-serving Military and Veterans, including immediate family of troops KIA.

That’s a mission we can (and do) get behind.

For Brawl in the Burgh 10, though, ticket demand was so outrageous that our contribution covered just a small portion of requests.

Vet Tix told us almost 200 veterans entered their 24-hour lottery to get their tickets. And unfortunately, the majority of them left empty-handed.

As much as we’d love to give everybody free tickets to the show, we also want to make sure we have a show for them to attend.

That’s where you can help.

For the first time, we’re opening up a “donation” section on our ticketing page. With this, it’s quick and easy to donate tickets for veterans.

Show these veterans you appreciate their service by buying them a ticket to the show. You may even wind up sitting near them so you can thank them in person.

Here’s how it works:

Head to our ticketing page (click here).
Scroll down.
In the “Donate Tickets for Veterans” field, enter the amount you’d like to donate. (Every ticket costs $50, so to donate two tickets, enter $100, etc.)
Complete checkout like usual from there.

That’s it.

From there, we’ll take the donations and reserve tickets for veterans who were unable to secure their tickets during the Vet Tix 24-hour lottery.

Then, they’ll get to see Khama Worthy, Ethan Goss, Cam Allgeier, Syd Ross, Gavin Teasdale, Edwin Vera, Justin Patton, and the rest of the stacked Brawl in the Burgh 10 fight card up-close and personal.

It’s going to be a great night, ladies and gentlemen.

Let’s get some veterans their tickets to the show.

New Year, New You, right?

We all have resolutions heading into 2022, and for many of us, those resolutions include joining a local gym. Some of us, of course, crave a little more than the treadmill or the elliptical for our workouts in 2022.

If you’re looking to join a gym to hone your fighting skills, Pittsburgh boasts plenty of options. Combat sports such as wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai represent some of the best workouts you can possibly give your body.

These sports are physical and grueling, and they’re taxing mentally just as they are physically. Sure, I’m sweating a little bit just thinking about it, but if you’re looking to burn some calories and get in shape, these martial arts will help you hit your goals in short order.

And the best news is this: Even if you don’t want to compete, the gyms on this list represent perfect places to sharpen your grappling and striking skills alongside some of the area’s best fighters.

Stepping onto the mats for the first time can be intimidating, but every gym listed here offers friendly, safe, and professional environments suitable for everyone from beginners to seasoned professionals (consider them 247 Fighting Championships-certified).

Steel City MMA is back on the rise, ladies and gentlemen, and these gyms are a major reason why.

In no particular order, here are six Pittsburgh-based gyms worth checking out to kickstart your grappling, striking, or MMA journey.*

* You might be asking, “Why six gyms, Hunter? Six is such a weird number. Can’t you just pick five?” The answer is no. No, I can’t. All six of these gyms deserve recognition, so all six gyms are getting it.

The Academy of Martial Arts and Fitness

Khama Worthy. Cody Garbrandt. Adam Milstead. John De Jesus. Mark Cherico.

When talking about Pittsburgh-based fighters who made it to the next level, you’ll quickly see that many of them developed their skills at the Academy.

Between the expert instruction of Dave Sachs, Christopher Williams, and company and the stable of talented training partners, The Academy established itself as Pittsburgh MMA royalty years ago and kept on chugging ever since.

The impressive alumni here is no coincidence. The Academy is flat-out one of the best gyms in Pittsburgh, and the results speak for themselves.

Today, you’ll find up-and-coming talent such as Chaka Worthy, Justin Patton, Craig Perry, Chase Boyde, Dalton Macri, and Miguel Francisco regularly honing their skills on the Academy’s mats.

Located in GreenTree at 24 Woodville Avenue, The Academy is just a short trip from downtown, making it the ideal location to begin your journey.

How to contact: Facebook | Instagram | Pittsburghacademy@outlook.com | 412-920-7426

The Mat Factory

If any gym in Pittsburgh can give the Academy’s notable alumni a run for its money, it’s Lower Burrell’s Mat Factory Wrestling Club.

UFC and Bellator veterans such as Chris Dempsey, Dominic Mazzotta, Steve Mowry, Dalton Rosta, and Cody Law have all called the Mat Factory home. Yeah, not too shabby.

The upcoming generation is in strong hands, too, with the likes of Jake Lowry, Vinny Dias, Trenton Zdarko, Cole Macek, Ferdaws Nayimi, Edwin Vera, Cheyenne Hall, Beksultan Egenberdiev, Julian Flenory, Justin Pippens, Cody Gamble, Evan DeLong, Chris Huselton, Peyton Manko, and more putting in work in Lower Burrell.

Just look at that list of names –– and then realize we could’ve kept going but didn’t want this post to look like a phone book.

The Mat Factory is simply loaded with talent –– past, present, and future –– and it’s all thanks to the expert guidance and knowledge of head coach/owner Isaac Greeley. Besides being an outstanding person, Greeley is one of the brightest minds you’ll find in the game, and his students are a reflection of the time and passion he puts into the Mat Factory on a daily basis.

While the Mat Factory is most known for its strong wrestling/grappling programs, there’s no doubt they can accommodate enthusiasts of all backgrounds and skill levels. You just can’t go wrong here.

How to contact: Facebook | Instagram | matfactoryinfo@gmail.com | 724-272-5958

Want to watch these gyms in action? Our next event, Brawl in the Burgh 10, takes place Feb. 5 and features some of the area’s BEST fighters. These gyms will be well represented. Come see what they can do. (Tickets here)

Indio Dojo

Located at 393 Vanadium Road in Bridgeville, Indio Dojo might not have the local pedigree of those first two gyms here –– but it’s only a matter of time before they enter the fold. Indio is the newest player on the scene, and they’ve already made a big-time splash.

An absolute combat sports legend in Danillo Villefort runs the show there, and his high-level process shines through with all of his students. A third-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo black belt who has competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, and PFL, it’s unlikely to find a more credentialed instructor than Villefort anywhere, let alone in Pittsburgh.

We already see Villefort’s influence with students such as Hope & Brigid Chase, Taylor Cahill, Gavin Teasdale, Tanner Cahill, and Aidan Nichols, and his stable only grows stronger every day. It feels like it’s only a matter of time before Indio Dojo sends a fighter to the big show.

If you’re looking to start your MMA journey or if you just want to tune up your skills, Villefort’s school is a great option.

How to contact: Facebook | Instagram | indiodojo@outlook.com | 412-706-1404

Stout PGH

Ever heard of Renzo Gracie?

Yeah, thought so.

Stout PGH is Pittsburgh’s own Renzo Gracie affiliate, and as you’d expect, they offer nothing short of world-class instruction and training from each of their three locations (the Strip, Monroeville, Zelienople).

Whether you’re working under black belt Mike Wilkins, Will Morrill, Warren Stout, or any of Stout’s other gurus, you can rest easy knowing you’re getting some of the best work in the city when you hit the mats at Stout.

Making Stout even more appealing, they frequently hold seminars from some of the best combat sports athletes on the planet. That’s a valuable resource and opportunity for anyone looking to get into the game locally.

How to contact: Facebook | Instagram | Contact Form | 412-888-9797

PTT – Personal Training Tactics

I’ll be honest: I hadn’t heard of Don Kaecher’s Personal Training Tactics before Brawl in the Burgh 9, where two of his fighters –– Shane Nuttall and Cliff Richards –– competed inside the 247 FC cage.

When both Nuttall and Richards won in emphatic fashion, PTT instantly became a gym I’d never overlook again.

Located between Brentwood and Carrick at 2554 Brownsville Road, there’s no doubt Kaecher and company are doing something right inside those walls. They might not have the reputation and the long list of alumni just yet, but there’s no doubt the quality coming out of that gym is ultra-high and only on the rise.

Kaecher’s worked with fighters such as Cherico, Khama Worthy, Dempsey, Cameron Allgeier, Tijuan McCray, Dave Gabig, John Lepovich, Chris Deep, and Shawn Downs, so if you want quality work, PTT has you covered.

If you’re in the area and looking to get started, you won’t be disappointed with Kaecher’s gym.

How to contact: Facebook | ptt_mma@yahoo.com | 412-888-9797

Armezzani Jiu-Jitsu

Out in the Monaca/Beaver County area, you’ll find Armezzani Jiu-Jitsu, led by owner and head instructor Louis Armezzani.

Besides boasting a wicked kitchen game (no, seriously, you should see his pastrami and/or homemade sausage sometime), Armezzani is one of the area’s premier instructors –– and for good reason.

Armezzani fighters such as PJ Mastrangelo and Boyde (who began his fighting career with Lou) made awesome impressions inside the 247 Fighting Championships cage, proving that Lou and his crew have what it takes to prepare athletes for the highest levels of competition.

Always professional and welcoming, you’ll find yourself right at home inside Armezzani Jiu-Jitsu if you’re just looking to get started in 2022.

How to contact: Facebook | Instagram | loujitsu@gmail.com | 412-742-9368

Want to watch these gyms in action? Our next event, Brawl in the Burgh 10, takes place Feb. 5 and features some of the area’s BEST fighters. These gyms will be well represented. Come see what they can do. (Tickets here)

Tom Kizer is here to stay.

At 6-0, Kizer –– the 247 Fighting Championships amateur welterweight champion –– feels ready to take the next step in his MMA career. And at 30 years old, Kizer feels it’s now or never for that dream to become a reality.

Speaking with 247 Fighting Championships General Manager Hunter Homistek on the Pittsburgh Combat Sports Podcast (subscribe here) Kizer breaks down his journey to date on the regional MMA scene and much more.

Beyond that, Kizer reveals his hidden talent (spoiler alert: memes) and his outstanding mullet game from a past life, so you’re going to want to kick back and enjoy this one, friends.

P.S. We’re crowning three more champions at our next event! Brawl in the Burgh 10 takes place Feb. 5, and it’s headlined by local legend and former UFC lightweight Khama Worthy. #BitB10 also features a trio of title fights with Ethan Goss, Cam Allgeier, and Syd Ross taking center stage at the Monroeville Convention Center. This one’s going to sell quickly, so:

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

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