fbpx
PCSP Hidden Gems: Railyard Grill & Tap Room PCSP Hidden Gems: Railyard Grill & Tap Room
  • Home
  • Events
    • Sprawl in the Burgh 7.14.23
    • Brawl in the Burgh 17 7.15.23
    • Results
      • Brawl in the Burgh 16 4.15.23
      • Brawl in the Burgh 15 12.17.22
      • Brawl in the Burgh 14 10.22.22
      • Brawl in the Burgh 13 10.1.22
      • Brawl in the Burgh 12 7.9.22
      • Flood City Fight Night 2 5.14.22
      • Brawl in the Burgh 11 4.16.22
      • Brawl in the Burgh 10 2.5.22
      • Brawl in the Burgh 9 10.23.21
      • Flood City Fight Night 8.21.21
      • Brawl in the Burgh 8 8.7.21
      • Brawl in the Burgh 7 ~ 5.22.21
      • Brawl in the Burgh 6 ~ 5.22.21
      • Brawl in the Burgh 5 ~ 11.28.20
      • Brawl in the Burgh 4 ~ 11.25.20
      • Brawl in the Burgh 3 ~ 3.14.20
      • Brawl in the Burgh 2 ~ 11.16.19
      • Brawl in the Burgh ~ 7.27.19
      • Steeltown Throwdown ~ 4.6.19
  • Tickets
  • LIVE STREAM
  • Podcast
  • News
  • About
    • About 247
    • In The News
    • Contact
    • Future Fighter Form
    • Promotional Team Member Form
  • Shop
  • Home
  • Events
    • Sprawl in the Burgh 7.14.23
    • Brawl in the Burgh 17 7.15.23
    • Results
  • Tickets
  • LIVE STREAM
  • Podcast
  • News
  • About
    • About 247
    • In The News
    • Contact
    • Future Fighter Form
    • Promotional Team Member Form
  • Shop
  •  
  • 0
PCSP Hidden Gems: Railyard Grill & Tap Room

Railyard Grill & Tap Room rules, friends.

Sure, I know I kinda cut straight to the point there. No build-up. No fluff. No fun.

But that’s the thing: Railyard doesn’t mess around, either. You head inside, you’re greeted, you’re seated, and soon you’re drinking delicious beers and chowing on smoked meats (or wings… or sandwiches… or…).

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Railyard Tap Room (@railyardtap)

For the latest edition of our Pittsburgh Combat Sports Podcast Hidden Gems series, we hit up the Bridgeville-based Railyard Grill & Tap Room to see what’s up.

Turns out, plenty’s up there. The menu is outrageous, but eventually, we “narrowed” things down to:

  • Pork belly burnt ends
  • Mac-and-cheese
  • Brisket
  • Nashville Hot wings
  • Hot Garlic Parm wings
  • Brisket + Pulled pork sandwich (yes, seriously)
  • Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA
  • Grist House Space Cactus IPA

Railyard-grill-tap-room-food-beer-247-fc

Ryan snagged that pulled pork + brisket sandwich (bottom left up there) and the picture truly does it zero justice. This thing was the size of an NFL football.

Railyard GM Nick Ciesielzki put it best:

“That’s over a pound of meat. Good luck.”

The brisket (top right) surprised me in that it’s chopped, not sliced. Railyard smokes everything in-house, and the menu features an awesome variety of meats. When you see a menu that clearly understands barbecue (like this one) you just expect the brisket to be sliced.

Not so.

Again, Nick explained.

“We chop the brisket, which isn’t common, but this is another one of those things where you have to listen to your customers and adjust,” he said. “We sliced it at first and had people complaining, ‘Oh, I got all these fatty slices. I can’t even eat it!’

“So we just said, why not chop it and serve it like this? It stays super moist, and it’s already chopped and ready to go for sandwiches or whatever else we need it for. It turned into a win-win.”

Skeptical as I was, I gotta say: It works. Nick’s right: The fatty slices are the best, but this chopped brisket still 100% hits the spot.

The wings were phenomenal –– especially the Nashville hot –– and we left a ton of food on the menu (Nashville hot chicken and waffles, anyone?) to give us plenty of reasons to come back.

So the food’s awesome.

Sixty beers on tap? Also awesome.

But it’s the people who make Railyard stand out in a crowded market.

Nick made sure to check in on us throughout our stay, and his passion for his craft shone brightly.

“I’m a Bridgeville kid. This place means so much to me,” he said. “I just think, ‘What do we need? What would help Bridgeville be a better, more attractive place?’ Every decision I make is with the community and our customers in mind.”

From the food to the beer to the live events schedule featuring bands, trivia, and more, it’s pretty obvious Nick and the crew at Railyard wants to build a community staple in Bridgeville. Heck, even our waitress Brittany (Britney? Sorry.) was a good sport with us as the empty beer glasses started to pile on the edge of the table.

Railyard-Grill-tap-stadium-room-events

Railyard’s ‘Stadium Room’ features some awesome art honoring the local professional sports teams and hosts live music regularly.

Even better, Nick teased a few projects to come –– including some wild alcohol experiments –– that certainly will capture enthusiasts’ attention.

From top to bottom, the experience here just kicked ass. It’s one thing to have great beer and great food (and for many, that’s all you need). But Railyard kicks it up a notch with its people, creating a genuinely memorable experience for its customers.

This place is a hidden gem for sure.

But probably not for long.

Read More
Mike Wilkins, Stout PGH Raise Money in Wake of Tragedy

Recently, the Western PA combat sports community suffered a tragic loss.

Joscelyn Vith-Lubawy was traveling on I-70 when she was hit by Leandre Woods, a 48-year-old man who was driving a Ford F-350 the wrong direction. He collided with Joscelyn’s vehicle head-on, and Joscelyn passed away during surgery shortly after the collision.

According to reports, police have filed charges against Woods, as he “smelled like alcohol” and had both a half-empty beer bottle and a whiskey bottle in his truck.

Joscelyn is survived by her husband, AJ Lubawy, her two children, Anthony and Bella, and her siblings, Selina, Jayden, Terry, and Will.

Joscelyn’s sister Selina Vith is well known within the Martial Arts community, training and competing regularly out of Stout PGH.

To help Joscelyn’s family during this time, Stout black belt and instructor Mike Wilkins held a seminar at the school’s Strip District location.

Mike-Wilkins-seminar-stout-pgh

Mike Wilkins demonstrates his cement mixer system at Stout PGH during a seminar to raise money for Joscelyn Vith Lubawy. (Photo credit: Paul Luc / @paul_luc_photos)

Sunday, Feb. 27, Mike broke down his cement mixer passing system for a packed house.

“We had the GoFundMe, which was doing well, but I just thought, ‘What could I do for the family? How could I make a bigger impact?'” Mike told me at the seminar. “It’s just tragic. It’s hard to imagine now, especially as a new father myself. Now those kids are without their mother because of a truly selfish act.”

Participants were encouraged to make a $25 donation at the seminar. Mike later posted to his Instagram story they raised $3,287 with the event.

“I’m just thankful people showed up,” he said. “I never doubted it, but it just goes to show how strong the community is here. This means everything to us, and even more for Joscelyn’s family.”

Currently, Joscelyn’s GoFundMe has raised $17,427 toward its $25,000 goal.

If interested, you can make a donation here.

Read More
Podcast: Ethan Hayes Needs You to RESPECT Nick Browne & West Virginia

“Ethan Hayes is a G.”

That’s not from me. That’s from local Mat Factory heavyweight Julian Flenory (who is 3-0 himself inside that cage).

Julian popped into the live stream of the Pittsburgh Combat Sports Podcast with Ethan Hayes to drop off that gem –– and he’s not wrong.

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

Not wrong at all.

Ethan is 3-1 in pro MMA action and 3-0 in pro boxing, and he’s constantly growing and evolving as a fighter.

To hear him tell it though?

Well, we’ll just say the road wasn’t easy. And it still isn’t easy. And it probably never will be easy.

Speaking with 247 Fighting Championships General Manager Hunter Homistek, Ethan discusses his career to this point, his future with both sports, and much more.

He even drops off a little secret for you the next time you’re ordering coffee at Sheetz.

It’s a good one, friends. Promise.

Enjoy the show:

https://media.blubrry.com/pghcombatsports/mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/gab4qf/ethan-hayes-audio.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Read More
MMA Returns to Johnstown with 247 FC’s Flood City Fight Night 2

247 Fighting Championships Brings Live MMA Back to Johnstown

Flood City Fight Night 2 takes over 1st Summit Arena Saturday, May 14.

[Johnstown, Pa.] — Mixed martial arts (MMA) returns to Johnstown Saturday, May 14, as Western-Pennsylvania-based combat sports promotion 247 Fighting Championships brings Flood City Fight Night 2 live to 1st Summit Arena. 

The stacked pro-am fight card will feature central and western Pennsylvania’s top fighters, promising a night of intense action inside the cage. 

1st-summit-arena-247-fighting-championships-1

The National Anthem plays at 1st Summit Arena during 247 Fighting Championships’ Flood City Fight Night on Aug. 21, 2021.

“Flood City Fight Night 2 will be our third event of 2022, and that means we’ll carry a ton of momentum into the show,” said 247 FC Owner Ryan Middleton. “We’re growing and expanding rapidly this year, and we’re excited to return to Johnstown to give the fans a night to remember.” 

— GET FLOOD CITY FIGHT NIGHT 2 TICKETS HERE — 

247 Fighting Championships debuted in Johnstown Aug. 21, 2021, with Flood City Fight Night, a 12-fight card that brought 1st Summit Arena to its feet from the night’s opening bell. 

“I have one word to describe our debut in Johnstown back in August: ‘Special,’” said 247 FC General Manager Hunter Homistek. “When we recapped our best moments from 2021 on our podcast, Flood City Fight Night had one of the best overall fights with Ethan Goss vs. Schyler Sootho, one of the best knockouts with David Krouse taking out Trevor Ward, and one of the best submissions with Cory Berchick choking out Nick Faulk. 

“Now we need to top that at Flood City Fight Night 2 –– and that’s exactly what we plan to do.” 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 247 FC – Pittsburgh MMA Events (@247fightingchampionships)

247 Fighting Championships began its 2022 campaign Feb. 5 at the Monroeville Convention center with Brawl in the Burgh 10.

That fight card featured the return of Pittsburgh MMA legend and former UFC fighter Khama Worthy as well as the MMA debut of former four-time PA state champion wrestler Gavin Teasdale. 

The promotion will return to Monroeville Saturday, April 16, for Brawl in the Burgh 11 before heading to Johnstown for Flood City Fight Night 2. 

“We hear from fans and fighters every day in the Johnstown area who want us to come back,” Middleton said. “And we’re not going to let them down with Flood City Fight Night 2. We see Johnstown as a second home and a major part of our long-term plans. Flood City Fight Night 2 is the next chapter in that journey.” 

Tickets for Flood City Fight Night 2 begin at $40 and can be purchased online at 247fighting.com (here).

For media opportunities, sponsorship opportunities, fight opportunities, or general information, contact Hunter Homistek at info@247fighting.com.

###

Read More
PCSP Hidden Gems: Oak Hill Post

OK, Oak Hill Post. I get it now.

For months, I followed Oak Hill Post on Instagram.

It’s beautiful.

…and it’s torture.

Seriously, imagine going about your day and suddenly this slaps you in the face:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Oak Hill Post (@oakhillpgh)

You can’t just not crave a cheeseburger now. It’s the kinda post that alters the trajectory of your day.

So while I appreciated Oak Hill Posts’ Instagram game, I never actually made the trip to sample the goods for myself.

Until Friday.

After recording Episode 25 of the Pittsburgh Combat Sports Podcast with Jake Lowry, I bounced out of the house to meet Ryan and photographer/videographer Paul Luc for some grub.

At Oak Hill Post.

Finally. We settled in, checked out the menu, placed our orders, and took a seat.

My order:

  • Breakfast smash, add a smash patty, add bacon
  • Shoestring fries with burger sauce
  • Arnold Palmer

Quick side note: How difficult is it to say “Arnold Palmer”? Why is that so tricky?

I felt ridiculous trying to order it –– then the cashier completely butchered it when trying to repeat the order. Made me feel a lot better.

Go ahead. Say it out loud. It’s weird.

Anyway…

The food came moments later, and yeah. I’ll just leave this here:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hunter A. Homistek (@hunterahomistek)

Unreal. For those keeping track at home that’s:

  • two smash patties
  • dippy egg
  • American cheese
  • bacon
  • burger sauce
  • pickles
  • on a buttermilk biscuit

Madness.

The patties were juicy and seasoned perfectly with those crispy, salty edges only a smash burger can truly nail.

That said, the biscuit was a little crumbly (as expected) so this thing became an absolute mess halfway through. No big deal to me, but if you can’t handle a little yolk and grease on your hands, grab a fork and a knife before digging into this beast.

So, Hunter, where does it rank?

I’m obsessed with rankings, so of course, I gotta put this in context.

It is, without question, one of the best burgers in Pittsburgh. I prefer smash burgers in general, so that gives it an instant advantage.

For me, Oak Hill Post slides into No. 2 in the city. Number one?

Cinderlands’ smashed wagyu burger, add egg, add pork belly.

To be fair, I still need to try Moonlit Burgers. It looks like they could steal the show.

Regardless, the point remains: Oak Hill Post is elite. We’re kicking off this hidden gems series in style with that one.

What’s YOUR Pittsburgh hidden gem? We’re giving away TWO CAGESIDE TICKETS to whoever nominates the BEST underrated and underappreciated spot in the city.

Read this post for the full details.

We’ll visit a new location every Friday to record the Pittsburgh Combat Sports Podcast then follow up with a post on Monday. Let’s have some fun.

https://media.blubrry.com/pghcombatsports/mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/k24djf/Jake-Lowry-audio-only.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Read More
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:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Hunter A. Homistek (@hunterahomistek)

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!

Read More
Podcast: Jake Lowry is a MINDSET Machine

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:

https://media.blubrry.com/pghcombatsports/mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/k24djf/Jake-Lowry-audio-only.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Read More
Brawl in the Burgh 10: 5 Things You’re Not Expecting Me to Say About the Show

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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 247 FC – Pittsburgh MMA Events (@247fightingchampionships)

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?

brawl-burgh-10-247-fighting-championships-monroeville-convention-center

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.

Read More
Brawl in the Burgh 10 Full Results, Replay, Photos

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…

Craig-Perry-arm-brawl-burgh-10

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.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 247 FC – Pittsburgh MMA Events (@247fightingchampionships)

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.

Khama-celly-team-brawl-burgh-10

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 — 

Read More
Podcast: Josh Fremd is UFC BOUND!

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:

https://media.blubrry.com/pghcombatsports/mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/vndzcw/josh-fremd-full-audio-podcast-mp3.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Read More
Podcast: BitB10 Weigh-In Day!

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!

https://media.blubrry.com/pghcombatsports/mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/j9fbjt/bitb10-weigh-in-day-full-podcast-audio-mp3.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Read More
10 Reasons to Come to Brawl in the Burgh 10

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.

<<< ORDER PPV >>> 

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.

cam-allgeier-hunter-starner-brawl-burgh-10-247-fighting-championships-matchup-graphicThe 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.

<<< ORDER PPV >>> 

Read More
Video: Khama Worthy & KDKA’s Daisy Jade Preview Brawl in the Burgh 10

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.) 

Read More
Podcast: BitB10 FULL BREAKDOWN & Discussion

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!

https://media.blubrry.com/pghcombatsports/mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/5viegn/bitb10-ryan-cavanaugh-episode-22-mp3.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Read More
MMA Prospect Spotlight: Advanced Amateurs Take Over Brawl in the Burgh 10

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. 

Read More
Podcast: BitB10 Ticket Giveaway + Novice Amateur Breakdown

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!

https://media.blubrry.com/pghcombatsports/mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/an8xf6/Episode-21-Novice-Amateurs-Audio-Only.m4a

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Read More

Posts navigation

« 1 … 6 7 8 … 11 »
  • Home
  • Results
  • Watch
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • Future Fighter Form

Download the 247 LIVE App!

Contact Us

  • 724-597-2128
  • info@247fighting.com
  • 2400 Ansys Drive, Suite 102, Canonsburg, PA 15317

© Copyright 247 Fighting Championships