Andre Petroski excited for matchup with Jesse James in main event at Art of War 13
Andre “The Executioner” Petroski has been competing since he was a youth. He wrestled all throughout his childhood and scholastic years. After his college wrestling career was complete, he found Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts and is currently a huge prospect with a wide array of skills. He has gotten off to a 2-0 start as a professional with two first round finishes including a TKO and an arm bar submission. The Executioner will be the last one to enter the cage on September 28th inside the 2300 Arena in South Philly when Art of War 13 commences. Andre has drawn the main event slot to face off with “the Outlaw” Jesse James (1-1).
I had the chance to catch up with the new father on fight week at Balance Studios Fishtown to get his thoughts on fatherhood and his match-up with James. He says of the Outlaw…
“He’s exciting. We are excited because I’m fighting a guy that likes to take it to the ground. Usually that’s my forte’. To fight someone else that wants to take it there is going to test my grappling defense and my stand-up as well. There’s nothing more I would like than a 3 round war to see who has more dog in them, a test of wills. I know the big promotions want to see early finishes and that’s what I’ve been doing so I am going to keep continuing to chase those finishes, though.”
You can see the full interview with Andre above. We also talk about his new nickname which I gave him. Andre seemed very receptive to it as I related it to his persona and fighting style.
Petroski has put himself in a very advantageous spot training at Balance where they have a slew of larger men to help him prepare, including the Godfather of Philadelphia BJJ, Ricardo “the Animal” Migliarese. Ricardo is currently rehabbing from a knee injury so there have been numerous others who have stepped up to work him in the room. Patrick Brady, an up and coming heavyweight who is also on the card, Joe “Bodybagz” Pyfer (6-0 pro) and dangerous blackbelt and TUF veteran Anton Berzin have been a huge help to him.
The fire marshall will definitely be on hand at AOW 13 and end ticket sales as a capacity crowd is a lock. This is another stacked fight card with some of the best young talent in the region. MyMMANews will be on site for live results and post-fight interviews. I will also have the pleasure of calling the action from cage-side with the Big Homie Justin Haskell and guest commentator and current Bellator fighter, Zu Anyanwu. UFC veteran Anthony “Rumble” Johnson will also be in the house as a special guest.
