2 Philly-based UFC fighters look to leave their mark in Atlantic City
Bill Algeo and Andre Petroski are both looking to break into the UFC rankings on Saturday at Boardwalk Hall. Two MMA fighters from the Philadelphia area are set to compete at historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Saturday. Delaware County native Bill Algeo, known as “Señor Perfecto’s” and former regional circuit fighter Andre Petroski, will be looking to showcase his skills for millions of people worldwide. This is the UFC's first time back at Boardwalk hall since April 2018. Algero, who trained with Marquez MMA, said he is looking forward to putting on a show for his friends and family and students from his kickboxing school in King of Prussia. Petroskey, who started his career in the UFC after a local fight, is looking to bounce back with a win after a decade of addiction.
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On Saturday, at historic Boardwalk Hall, two MMA fighters from the Philadelphia area will look to showcase their skills for millions of people watching worldwide.
Delaware County native Bill Algeo, also known as “Señor Perfecto,” said he’s looking forward to putting on a show for all his friends and family, as well as students from his kickboxing school in King of Prussia. Before making it to the UFC, Algeo cut his teeth in the regional circuit, which included many fights in Atlantic City.
“I fought here… probably about 10 times throughout my career,” Algeo said. “This is just on the biggest stage. This is a dream come true, [to] happen to be this close to my friends and family so I can have a ton of them out here. My students, my people, everyone’s going to be just going crazy on Saturday.”
The fight night will also serve as a homecoming of sorts for Philly-based middleweight Andre Petroski, who trains with Marquez MMA. Petroski’s first MMA fight took place in Atlantic City nearly a decade ago.
“It’s home, you know? The UFC doesn’t come here very often,” Petroski said. “So when they do, I take it on myself to show that they should come back.”
This is the UFC’s first time back at Boardwalk Hall since April 2018. Many legendary fighters have walked through the doors of the venue, including boxing world champions Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and George Foreman.
“I grew up watching boxing,” Algeo said. “We would all watch boxing growing up… watch Tyson in Atlantic City and Roy Jones [Jr.]. It’s crazy that I get to be in the same building and do the same things as my heroes growing up.”
Emerging victorious from Boardwalk Hall would provide a big boost for Petroski, who’s looking to get back in the win column. His road to the UFC took some twists and turns, including fighting an addiction to heroin which he overcame after seeking treatment.
“I was getting high when I was fighting as an amateur, right, and I was like 7-1,” Petroski said. “I had a bright future and a good career, but at the end of the day, I needed help. It took catastrophic events for me to not only get the help that I needed but also be willing to accept the help, like be willing to do whatever it takes.”
विषय: UFC