Short clip with Mark Cherico

Tonight, I talked with MMA fighter Mark "The Pride of Bloomfield" Cherico. Cherico is 11-1 in his pro career and will be fighting Aug. 22 in Las Vegas, Nev., on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender TV series. White offers fighters who impress him contracts to the UFC.
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Through the first three weeks of the show five fighters -- featherweight Kurt Holobaugh, bantamweight Boston Salmon, bantamweight Sean O’Malley, light heavyweight Karl Roberson and middleweight Geoffrey Neal -- were offered deals. All fighters are paid $5,000 to show up and another $5,000 if they are victorious.

Cherico, who is 11-1 and the No. 1 ranked lightweight in Pennsylvania, has fought professionally since 2012. His only loss came via submission against Brian Kelleher Nov. 26, 2014. Kelleher ended up climbing the ladder and is now a UFC fighter.

There will be a full story, photos and interviews with Cherico, his trainers and family by early next week.

Mark Cherico works with striking coach Robert Meese Tuesday night at his gym near Robinson Township.