MMArvelous
Brenneman, Haselrig star in Johnstown showBy Nate Foreman, Mirror Sports Staff
Article Photos
Mirror Sports Staff
JOHNSTOWN - Pennsylvania recently joined the growing number of states that permit and regulate mixed martial arts.
The first event held in the Commonwealth was less than a month ago in York County.
Saturday night at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena, the area got its first taste of MMA.
Local athletes Charlie Brenneman and Carlton Haselrig highlighted a co-main event card, and didn't disappoint, as both won their respective fights in Iron Will Fighting Championship action.
Brenneman, a Hollidaysburg native that was a Division 1 Top 12 finalist in wrestling at Lock Haven, dominated his bout early.
Brenneman wasted no time getting Chris Thomas to the ground in the first round. From there "The Spaniard" - a nickname Brenneman obtained because he was a former Spanish teacher at Hollidaysburg Area High School - connected on multiple punches and elbows. He drew blood midway through the round, but couldn't finish off Thomas.
"He was real good off the bottom," Brenneman said of Thomas. "I was getting dominant position, but he was good at squirming and keeping me off balance. I kept having to regroup on the side-mount, but I couldn't really do a lot."
It was much of the same story in the second round, but 1:17 in, Brenneman landed an Americana from a side mount and Thomas tapped out.
"I saw that arm out there, I might as well go for it," Brenneman said. "I'm not a submission guy, but it was there so I took it."
Brenneman's record now stands at 8-1, and he hopes to continue his hot streak, especially being able to fight in his home state.
"My whole goal when I started was to make a living," Brenneman said. "Wherever I can go, if it's going to make me a living, that's where I want to go. I love the sport. I love what I'm doing.
"It's unbelievable [fighting close to home]. I'm fighting back tears right now because when I go to Atlantic City, there might be a hundred people in the crowd. Then to look at and hear this crowd, it was like 'woah.' I can't even tell you how unbelievable it is, and to put on a good showing like that."
And he's also hoping for a successful future.
"I want to get [MMA] involved in the local community," he said. "I want to build up a name, come back, open up a school, do something around the community. The further I get, the more people are going to hop on and become a part of it."
In the final match of the evening, six-time NCAA wrestling champion and former Pro Bowl offensive guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers Carlton Haselrig won by referee stoppage 3:18 into the first round against Chris Larkin.
The Johnstown native got Larkin to the mat against the cage and threw multiple punches from his feet.
"It was a good fight. I got a win and I feel good about it," Haselrig said. "There's a lot of people here to support us, and we feel great.
"This ranks pretty high up there in terms of where my athletic career is now. I'm not supposed to be doing this type of thing. So first off, I feel very blessed that I'm still able to be doing it. In that aspect, it feels great. More fights are coming. I got one next month. We're getting younger, not older."
IRON WILL FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP
RESULTS
AMATEUR
Josh Killinger (1-0) def. Kevin Meyers (0-1), unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
Matt Zupon (1-0) def. Jon Sieber (1-1), submission, 1:47 third round.
Tim Landis (1-1) def. Marc Firebaugh (0-2), submission, 0:17 third round.
PRO
Joe Demore (1-1) def. Brad Poole (0-1), referee stoppage, 2:22 first round.
Louis Armezzani (1-0) def. Curtis Hall (1-4), submission, 0:37 first round.
Noe Quintanilla (3-2) def. Jason Trzewieczynski (1-1), unanimous decision, 30-27, 29-28, 30-27.
Ryan Lopez (9-6) def. Joe Lewis (1-3), submission, 0:34 first round.
Evan Delong (7-3) def. Cory Mahon (7-3), submission, 4:17 first round.
Mitch Whitesel (12-11) def. Marcus Ajian (6-6-1), referee stoppage, 1:49 first round.
Charlie Brenneman (8-1) def. Chris Thomas (4-3), submission, 1:17 second round.
Carlton Haselrig (3-1) def. Chris Larkin (6-6-1), referee stoppage, 3:18 first round.
