Brawlroom to host 16-bout MMA card
A 16-bout MMA/cage fight card is set for Saturday with New Castle’s Jeff Mock set to take on New York’s Victor Guarriello in the main event in Brookfield.
Yankee Lake Brawlroom 40, presented by local promoter Chuck Haskell, will feature 10 local participants with five fighters set to make their cage debuts.
“This card is very special, not because it’s my 40th promotional event but because it reminds me so very much of the first card that I was ever able to put together,” Haskell said. “There are quite a few fighters making their cage debuts as they try to make a name in this sport.”
The main event, a 125-pound pairing, features Mock, who puts his 2-1 mark on the line against Guarriello (6-6).
“Jeff [Mock] is an excellent wrestler and well-conditioned athlete while Victor [Guarriello] has plenty of ring experience. As far as amateurs are concerned, he’s the seasoned veteran,” Haskell stated.
In 135-pound action, Cory Breckner (2-0) of Campbell MMA will take on Anthony Novosel (1-0) of Pittsburgh World Class MMA.
Novosel is one of 11 fighters with a Pittsburgh connection on the card.
There are five 145-pound matchups scheduled with the first featuring Pittsburgh’s A.J. Schultz taking on Salem’s Jeff Sayer.
“This fight more than any other reminds me of my first Yankee Lake card, which was held back in October, 2007,” Haskell said. “It seemed like everyone was just starting out, there were a lot of new faces and they were all looking to get to the next level.”
Other 145-pound matchups include Cory Roman (1-0) of Sligo, Pa., who will meet Cullen Phillips (2-1) of Penn Hills Martial Arts; Warren’s Devon Jones, who will take on Christ Detman of Pittsburgh; Deon Goodlow (1-0-1 of Penn Hills Martial Arts) as he goes up against Cody Heir of Pittsburgh Renzo-Gracie MMA; and Cleveland’s Anthony Skulina is set to challenge James Brown (1-1), also of Penn Hills Martial Arts.
Jones, Detman, Heir and Skulina are all making their cage debuts.
“The Roman-Phillips fight features two excellent cage fighters while those fighters making their initial cage appearance are definitely worth keeping an eye on,” Haskell added.
A 155-pound scrap pits Derek Hayes of Ambridge against Pittsburgh’s Robert Conklin while a 175-pound pairing will match locals Sean Cogswell of New Castle and Derek Smith of Salem.
“When Derek [Hayes] meets [Robert] Conklin, just expect a real slugfest. You’ll see much of the same between Sean Cogswell and Derek Smith,” Haskell said.
There are two 170-pound fights, the first featuring Cory Bowhall (2-1) of New York City as he takes on Daniel Donoghue (1-1) of Pittsburgh while Pittsburgh’s Larry Miller will make his debut against Mason McFeathers (0-1) of Franklin, Pa.
Rounding out the night’s festivities will be a heavyweight run-in between Warren’s William Fowler and Cleveland’s Thomas Smith, both making their cage debuts.
Tickets are $25 for general admission; $50 for cage side and $500 for cage side tables. Call Haskell (724-699-1725), Yankee Lake Store (330-448-4711) or on-line at: www.mmabrawlroom.com.
Weigh-ins will take place at 1 p.m. Friday at Sharon’s Quaker Steak and Lube.
At night, the restaurant will offer a free viewing of the Johny Hendricks (15-2) vs. Robbie Lawler (22-9) UFC world championship where general admission tickets only will be made available for half-price.
Haskell’s next event, Fight Night 6, will take place May 3 at St. Lucy’s Palermo Center, Campbell.
Greg Gulas writes about boxing/fighting for The Vindicator. Email him at sports@vindy.com