Grindhouse MMA prospect Johnny Tansey – Debut comes at AOW 18
Interview with Johnny Tansey above
The regional mixed martial arts action has picked up some steam after going through a rough stretch with the Covid-19 pandemic. Art of War Cage Fighting had been rolling along and putting on quality shows at several locations in Pennsylvania but after their 17th event on February 8, 2020 they were put on a long pause as were the hard-working, grinding, lesser known fighters who build the talent pool for places like the UFC. Let’s put all of that behind us and move into the current and relish that AOW and much of the regional events are back on path and ready to provide a venue for many. Right now there are more fighters prepared and ready to fight than there are opportunities. The regional scene has some catching up to do and Art of War Cage Fighting President, Mike Bickings plans to oblige. For the Saturday May 22nd AOW18 event, the state limited the fight card to a total of eight fights and limited seating capacity, but upcoming on July 31st, Art of War 19 will be back to full capacity both in the arena and on the fight card.
But first, let’s set you up with Art of War Cage Fighting 18 from The Sportsplex in Feasterville, PA. Headlining the card will be returning AOW middleweight champion Johnny Garbarino (5-1 3KOs) as he welcomes Rob The Young King” Sousa (3-0) into his den. “Garb” has a huge following and his fans will be in attendance making their presence felt. Garbarino seems to get better with each fight and takes on an undefeated Sousa who has finished two of his three opponents with submissions. In the co-main event, AOW Heavyweight champ defends against the more experienced, very tough, Gavin Nickel. This will be a slugfest.
In a featured catchweight bout at 160 lbs, Dominic Parker takes on Johnny “the Barbarian” Tansey. Tansey is making his debut in the cage and has a deep, talented team at Grindhouse MMA making sure that he is prepared and ready to perform. MyMMANews caught up with Tansey a couple of days before his first ever fight and he says…
“I have guys like Matty Netterville, Sean Brady, Shawn Stefanelli, Kyle Hanigan, and others who have made me so much better. I started at Grindhouse five years ago and it has been nothing but a blessing. Jerry Bradley is the man and he treats us so well. I can’t wait to go out and put on a great performance.”
Please check out the full interview above.
Tansey says that he weighed in around 300 lbs years ago and started to lose and picked up jiu-jitsu when he was around 220 lbs and now he is set to weigh in at 160 lbs. Quite a remarkable journey and MyMMANews will be cage-side watching him in action and have
live results from AOW 18.
