MMA coming to Millersburg with Caged Thunder Fight Night
Local MMA amateur fighters Josh Sayer, left, and Addison Phillips will be in the octagon in search of a victory during the upcoming MMA Fight Night at Harvest Ridge.
Some local talent will slug it out in the octagon this November, and it should be an evening of battle in the mixed martial arts realm.
MMA Caged Thunder Fight Night will come to Harvest Ridge on Saturday, Nov. 18, where five matches will include five local men who will fight for victory.
The evening will see the gates open at 4:30 p.m. with the action in the octagon beginning at 6 p.m.
“It should be a great night of action and competition,” said Jose Burgos, head coach and trainer at Champions MMA in Millersburg who has trained all five of the local fighters.
The area fighters involved in the evening will include Charles Phillips and Brent Troyer, both of whom are 1-0 in their amateur careers; Josh Sayers and Josh Flood, both of whom will make their fighting debuts; and professional MMA fighter Lucas Mast, who is currently 1-2 in his professional career, for the main event.
However, this fight marks a new moment for Mast’s career, as he drops from fighting in his career weight classification at 170 pounds down to lightweight at 155 pounds.
“Lucas is such a battler, no matter what weight he fights at,” Burgos said. “He has worked really hard to get down to this weight, and the change presents an exciting dynamic. Will he be able to implement the size change and adapt to the new weight challenges? Either way you know he’ll give it his all.”
Burgos described Mast as someone who would put his head through a brick wall if asked, and he is excited to see how the new-look Mast will fair at a lighter weight class, where his strength, size and experience battling bigger fighters could be advantageous, but the new challenge will be facing lighter, quicker foes.
Burgos said all of the five MMA specialists have been hard workers, noting each have 40-hour a week jobs, plus the additional hours they put in training.
“These guys know how to push themselves hard, and they are all willing to put in the work to improve,” Burgos said. “They very much look up to Lucas and follow his lead. It’s a great group with strong character and good home values, and they aren’t afraid to test themselves.”
Whether they win or lose, Burgos said that isn’t the end game in his eyes. He said what he enjoys is seeing these men work toward their goal, then go out and showcase the skills they’ve learned.
Another benefit that has developed in each of the fighters, according to Burgos, is they are all tremendous at working with and teaching younger fighters learning the ropes, and he said that says a lot about the character of the men.
“There is a really special dynamic among these guys that helps them push one another while at the same time putting their skills and knowledge to work with newcomers,” Burgos said.
The event continues to shape up as an adrenaline rush for fans, with plenty of quality action expected across the board.
Flood will fight in the 205-pound light-heavyweight division, Sayers will compete in the 170-pound welterweight division, Phillips will battle in the 155-pound lightweight class and Troyer will fight in the 135-pound bantam weight division.
These types of events continue to garner a big following, and Burgos is excited about the possibilities for the future.
Burgos said he plans on introducing more events to the area because of how much he has become a part of the fabric of Holmes County.
“I love this community and want to support it any way I can,” Burgos said. “I’m not originally from here, but everyone has treated me so well and made me feel like this is my home.”
Tickets are going fast, with all of the table seating sold and only general admission available. General admission tickets are $40 for the entire evening’s slate of action. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.cagedthundermma.com.
Harvest Ridge is located at 8880 state Route 39 in Millersburg.
Anyone wishing to learn more about Champions MMA can stop by and chat with Burgos at the facility at 20 E. Jackson St. in Millersburg or call Mast, who owns the facility, at 330-201-1366.