Maverick MMA promoter Willy Sisca (left) and featherweight champion Scott "The Animal" Heckman (right)
Maverick 13 – A champion comes home, “The Animal” returns to Stroudsburg
Maverick MMA returns to the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania early this summer with a stacked Maverick 13 fight card. Along with the promotion’s return to their home venue comes the return of Maverick’s longest tenured champion, Scott “The Animal” Heckman (27-9).
Heckman, who has been red-hot with Maverick MMA, winning each of the six fights he competed in for the organization, comes home on June 1 after an attempt to earn a shot on the big stage.
The 145-pound champion ventured off to the Atlantic City based Ring of Combat last Fall to challenge that promotion’s champion, Bill Algeo. The winner of the fight would likely fall under the UFC’s radar and possibly get a call to fight in front of Dana White. Unfortunately for Heckman, although he was off to a good start, “The Animal” would fall victim to an Algeo head kick and lose by way of knockout in the second round.
Now, with a renewed confidence and coming to terms with the fact that his UFC opportunity is likely no longer in sight, Heckman is ready to move on.
The defending champion will place his featherweight title on the line as he meets Jesse Stirn (8-2) in the night’s main event. “Relentless” Stirn, a native of Maryland, has fought most of his pro bouts under the Shogun Fights banner. He comes to Maverick on a one-fight win streak, a first rounds submission over Thomas Blair in November 2018.
The top-ranked flyweight in area, Sean “Shorty Rock” Santella (21-7-1) recently signed a bout agreement for Maverick MMA. He was set to meet a very green yet game opponent in Federico Vento of Hawaii. Unfortunately for Vento, he wasted the biggest opportunity of his professional career as he took a fight outside the Maverick promotion after signing the agreement. Vento would go on to be submitted in the first round, receive a short suspension, but come to the realization that a matchup with a submission artist and BJJ black belt in “Shorty Rock” might not be the best thing for him. Maverick matchmakers are currently searching for a worthy 125-pound opponent to fill the void.
Steve Moleski and Gabe Barletta are matched up in a pro lightweight bout as they are both coming off wins at Maverick 12 earlier this year.
Kaheem Murray makes him Maverick debut, taking on the ever popular Gracie New Jersey prospect in LJ Reboli.
Travis Creamer and Travis Foster, two fighters who have never been in a boring fight in their lives, with lock horns to see who comes out on top.
Thad Frick and John Beneduce meet in a 150-pound contest, while Tyler Bayer and Liam Anderson will kick off the professional portion of the card in a middleweight contest.
Current Maverick 13 line up:
Scott Heckman vs. Jesse Stirn – for Maverick MMA pro featherweight title
Sean Santella vs. TBD – pro flyweight bout
Stephen Moleski vs. Gabe Barletta – pro lightweight bout
Kaheem Murray vs. LJ Reboli – pro lightweight bout
Travis Creamer vs. Travis Foster – pro catchweight 165-pound fight
John Beneduce vs. Thad Frick – pro catchweight 150-pound fight
Tyler Bayer vs. Liam Anderson – pro middleweight bout
Adam Atiyeh vs. Jason Manning – amateur light heavyweight bout
Jon Bianco vs. Bretty Floyd – amateur bantamweight bout
Frank Wallace vs. Obinna Egbebike – amateur catchweight 175-pound bout
Kris Decastro vs. Charles Blue – amateur featherweight bout
Check the Maverick MMA Facebook page for ticket information.
LJ Reboli promo
Gabe Barletta vs. Steve Moleski promo
