Wrestling assistant Cerminara hits Philly MMA scene

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Since I took over from the illustrious Michael Gold as senior sports editor at the DP, I've seen a massive increase in the amount PR email I receive. At first I thought it was some bad practical joke Mr. Gold had set me up for before his departure, but he denies any wrongdoing.

Anyway, the most consistent set of press releases (PR agents, I'm not issuing a challenge) I've received have been from "Locked in the Cage," a mixed martial arts series hosted in Philadelphia. To be honest, these emails generally go straight to the delete box along with most of the other junk I get. Aside from knowing very little about MMA, my work on concussions in athletics has left me questioning sports like boxing and MMA. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but I just don't see the Penn community overlapping much with the MMA world.

But this week the release was suddenly very relevant to Penn. As it turns out, Penn wrestling assistant coach Kyle Cerminara will be participating in the upcoming  Locked in the Cage Thursday Night Fights, a 14 fight card, in which Cerminara will face "journeyman" brawler John 'Iron Bull' Doyle.

Cerminara is a perfect 1-0 in MMA after winning an April bout against Ariel Sepulveda, getting the unanimous decision after the third round. He'll look to keep that perfect record on August 4th when he fights Doyle, who has a 9-17 record. The bout will take place at South Philly Arena at Swanson and Ritner streets.

The assistant coach joined Penn's staff last summer. He was an All-American at Buffalo and since graduating in 2006 has competed in freestyle wrestling while holding coaching gigs. He's been a runner-up at both the Pan American games and the U.S. Open. His credentials — and a bold prediction for his future in MMA — as described in the release from Locked in the Cage:

"Cerminara enters the sport with pristine wrestling credentials that include US Olympic Team Alternate and current University of Pennsylvania assistant wrestling coach.  Not to mention that in mid-July the 28 year old MMA greenhorn won Bellator's open try-outs at Daddis Fight Camps' Cherry Hill gym.  It will not be long before this world class wrestler is fighting under the big lights."