43
Warren’s Pennachio set for Yankee Lake battle
By Greg Gulas
BROOKFIELD
The headline event for tonight’s “Yankee Lake Brawlroom 47” MMA event will pit Warren’s Dante Pennachio against Kalil Franks of Huntington, W,Va., at Yankee Lake Ballroom.
The winner will advance to Chuck Haskell’s Nov. 22 card at St. Lucy’s Palermo Center in Campbell.
Twelve amateur bouts are on tap.
Tickets cost $30 with limited ringside seating available from $40 to $50. Further information can be obtained by calling Haskell at 724-699-1725 or by visiting www.steelvalleypromotions.com.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and the first fight is set to start at 7:30 p.m.
Dalton Rosta was originally expected to make his cage return against Chris Fettig in a 205-pound elimination bout, but that pairing was canceled.
“I am really excited about seeing the new, up-and-coming talent that will be featured on this card,” said Haskell, who has promoted 46 previous MMA events. “There’s a lot of excellent fighters set to make their debuts and it’s always fun and exciting to see them before they reach the professional ranks.
“I am also looking forward to seeing if Dante Pennachio can continue his winning streak against a tough challenger like Kalil Franks,” Haskell said. “This card will be as competitive as any of my previous cards.”
Pennachio (6-4) is 30. Franks enters the match-up 2-2.
“He’s coming down two weight classes in order to fight me, so we’ll just show him how things are done in the lower weight class,” Pennachio said. “I’ve won all of my fights by submission, but he comes forward so I am going to try for the knockout this time. I’ll settle for the ‘W’ any way that I can get it.”
Isaiah Jackson (1-0) of Next Level Martial Arts Academy looks to remain undefeated in a 165-pound match-up with Al Gerguric of Pittsburgh.
Brian Burke from Campbell Martial Arts makes his debut when he goes up against Vincent Williams of Penn Hills Martial Arts Academy, also his initial foray into the cage in a 135-pound pairing.
James Davis of Poland meets Pittsburgh’s Malcom Hudson in a middleweight clash.
Other middleweights on the card include Julian Flenory (Clarion MMA), who is set to meet Marcus Williamson (Pittsburgh).
Another 185-pound match-up will pit Clarion MMA fighter Mathew Baugher (1-0), who will take on Chase Boyd of Butler, Pa.
Youngstown’s Tom Leveto makes his debut against newcomer Tyler Cobbins, who is fighting out of Gordon’s Martial Arts Academy in Warren .
Heavyweight Tyree Daniels of Boardman is set to take on Ryan Menkins of Philadelphia.
Sharon’s Demarco Hosch makes his lightweight debut when he goes up against Sean Doyle of Pittsburgh.
Another 155-pound matchup will find Nick Bailey of Huntington fighting Tijuan McCay of Pittsburgh.
Josh Persons of Sharon, Pa., will take on Josh Dennis of Meadville, Pa., in a 140-pound pairing. Rounding out the card will be Grant Blumenthal of Macedonia’s Ares Combat Gym against Jarred Carroll of Columbus.
The next two events are scheduled for November at Campbell’s St. Lucy Palermo Center with Haskell and Chuck Nelson teaming up for a USA Amateur Boxing All-Star 3 show. That program is slated for Nov. 11 and in conjunction with local Veterans outreach programs.
On Nov. 22, MMA action returns with its Fight Night 10 card.