MMA event set for tonight

The original Quaker Steak and Lube, located in downtown Sharon, Pa., has played host to a myriad of events since its 1974 opening.

Their infamous weekly “Wednesday Night Bike Night,” St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, outdoor concerts and Bavarian Fun Fest from year’s past have attracted a bevy of fans from the tri-county area and beyond.

Today, they’ll assemble a 150-foot by 80-foot tent in order to play host their first outdoor MMA competition.

The 15-bout card, sponsored by promoter Chuck Haskell, will feature Hermitage, Pa., native Micah Bender as he takes on Rocky Edwards of Columbus in the 175-pound professional main event while Shawn King of Volant, Pa., will meet Darnell Pettis (145 pounds) of Cleveland in one of two key amateur pairings.

“It’s always exciting when you’re involved in a first, but this card and the fact that it is being hosted by the original Quaker Steak and Lube makes it that much more fun,” Haskell said. “Micah Bender and Rocky Edwards will fight it out in the main event and with 12 amateur bouts on tap it should make for a fun night for everyone attending the show.”

Bender currently resides in Columbus so technically the clash is an all-Columbus pairing.

The other two professional bouts will pit David Graf of Twinsburg, as he goes up against Jeff Holmes of Indiana, Pa., and Bekzod Abdurmakhmonov of Clarion, Pa.,when he squares off against Stephen Singleton of Cincinnati.

Both bouts are slated at 155 pounds

Key amateur fights include Mark Wiant of Sligo, Pa., when he takes on Brad Osborne, also of Columbus at 205 pounds while Youngstown’s Marcus Fowler will go up against Dave Grams of Franklin, Pa., in super heavyweight action.

“This is Bekzod’s second pro fight and someone whose stock is steadily rising in MMA circles,” Haskell said. “The talent in our amateur pool is also something fans should keep an eye on.”

Two Campbell natives, John Cole and Gary Arthur; Devin Patterson and Justin Michaels of Hermitage, Pa., and two fighters with New Castle, Pa., roots, Justin Stewart and Sean Cogswell are also slated to compete.

Cole takes on Michaels and Patterson meets Corey Bowehall of Liverpool, N.Y., at 170 pounds while Arthur will take on Chaz Dowdell of Pittsburgh at 205 pounds.

Stewart goes up against Garrett Dush of Clarion in a 185-pound pairing with Cogswell and Ryan Keniski of Erie, Pa., set at 175 pounds.

Three other 155-pound match-ups will feature Josh Stonick of Pittsburgh taking on Bowdrie Rene of Ontario, Canada; Rene’s brother, Broderick, also of Ontario, who will meet Danny Abad of Liverpool, N.Y. and in all-Pittsburgh action, John Downs goes up against Dave Schelling.

Closing out the action will be Rob Shay of Meadville, Pa., when he meets Butler’s Derek Hays, both weighing in at 145 pounds.

Action is set to get underway at 6 p.m. with doors set to open at 4:30.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door with limited ring side seating (tables of 10) still available for $700. To purchase tickets, call Quaker Steak and Lube at 724-981-7221 or Haskell at 724-699-1725.

Greg Gulas writes about combat sports for The Vindicator. Email him at sports@vindy.com