Recently in Reading MMA Category

York's Academy of Combative Arts has two fighters in the upcoming Pain on Penn Street II in Reading on Dec.4:

Josh Kessler vs Don Cioffi
Jon Tuxford vs Michael Alessi
The event is being held at the Sovereign Center, 700 Penn Street, in downtown Reading. Doors open at 7 p.m.

In their last fights, both at CPWC III, Kessler won with an Americana over Rob Hailey and Tuxford Lost by TKO to Mike Stoltzfus.

Just a reminder about this event. I blogged about it recently, after having spoken with one of the promoters. The bottom line is this - a lot of guys on the Internet are complaining about the name and concept of the event, but when you get down to it, these are fights sanctioned by the state, so everything should be above-board and professional. A fight is a fight, as Royce Gracie said. Check back here next week for results.

Just talked with Greg Sirb, executive director of the Pa. State Athletic Commission. He confirmed that tonight's 9th Street Slaughter event at Club 1402 in Reading has been postponed. The event was being promoted by longtime boxing promoter Marshall Kauffman, with MMAinPA.com's Joe Cunliffe doing the matchmaking.

"Just didn't get enough bouts together," was what Sirb said when I asked why the event wasn't happening.

Although I don't believe there is a minimum number of bouts per event required in PA., I know each event in the state has to have at least two professional fights and the rest can be amateur. So far this year, I don't think there's been an event this year with less than maybe eight fights, although I think that was due to a couple of them being canceled at the last minute.

Sirb said that Kauffman had told him he wanted to hold the event in Reading the first weekend in December.

Kauffman was "disappointed" at the show's postponement. "He's never really canceled anything" in his long career as a promoter, Sirb said.

Previously, Kauffman and Cunliffe collaborated on the May 30 hybrid boxing/MMA event in Reading, Pain on Penn Street.

from mmainpa.com:
King's Promotions presents 9th St. Slaughter this Friday, September 25, at Club 1402 in Reading. The anticipated 12 fight Pro/Am card will feature mixed martial artists from some of Pennsylvania's most active and recognized teams.

"We're excited to see MMA return to Reading and for the opportunity to bring back fighters from our successful Pain On Penn Street amateur event held in May," said Matchmaker Joseph Cunliffe, "including the professional debut of Tony Williams" fighting out of The Cage MMA Academy in Temple. Jim Bova, fighting out of Anthracite Combat Club in Schuylkill Haven, will headline the card.

Yeah ... I'll say this: I'm going to reserve my judgment until I talk with promoters Ryan Kerwin and Raymond Gokool. Maybe this is a tongue-in-cheek thing, just trying to create characters, like pro wrestling. You know, give the crowd heels to boo and babyfaces to cheer (or maybe the opposite). Still, if they were going to do that, they could just make up names for teams like The Straight-Shooters vs. The Scofflaws, or something like that. If they're really glorifying actual police officers and criminals fighting, then I have a problem with it. I'm a cops reporter here at the Daily Record, and while officers are not perfect, I have a deep respect for what they do. On the other hand, everybody's an adult here, so if you're a fighter, it's your choice where to fight, and if you're a potential spectator, you can either buy a ticket or not. Either way, I'll keep you updated.

From its Web site, here's who the promotion has signed:
Tom Sauer (cop) vs. Kevin Jordan (con)
Lamont Lister (cop) vs. Mike Bogner (con)
Taylor Sensabaugh (cop) vs. TBA (con)
TBA (cop) vs. Rick Casarez
TBA (cop) vs. Anthony Morrison (con)

I meant to say I had a short conversation with Greg Sirb, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission earlier today.

Greg was at the Penn on Pain Street, er, I mean, the Pain on Penn Street event Saturday in Reading and said it was a "good show." The event was a half-boxing, half-MMA affair, featuring six MMA bouts.

The event drew 1,600 attendees at the Sovereign Center, Sirb said.

For Sirb, it's on to the next show, which occurs June 11 at The Blue Horizon.

from adcombat.com:
Submitted by:Joseph Cunliffe
KING'S PROMOTIONS PRESENTS
PAIN ON PENN STREET

MMA/BOXING EVENT
SOVEREIGN CENTER • READING, PA
SATURDAY MAY 30, 2009
FIRST 500 TICKETS SOLD: BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE

READING, PA -- King's Promotions brings for the first time to the Reading area, an amateur mixed martial arts/professional boxing card to be held at the Sovereign Center on Saturday May 30th.

In a special promotion, the first 500 tickets sold will be buy one, get one free of equal value.

"Times are tough right now for everyone," stated Marshall Kauffman, head of King's Promotions. "We are offering this special deal to make it easier for boxing and MMA fans to enjoy a night out and as a way of saying thanks to everyone who has supported us in our previous events."