Published: May 16, 2009 12:08 am      

Haselrig highlights MMA card

Luckily for Johnstown’s Carlton Haselrig, he’s not claustrophobic.

Haselrig realizes that once he steps into the Mixed Martial Arts caged ring tonight at Cambria County War Memorial Arena, there is only one way to get out – by using his fists, feet and wrestling moves.

“What makes it so good is that once that man closes that door and says, ‘Are you ready? Are you ready?’ there is no turning back,” Haselrig said, referring to the referee who opens and closes the door to the caged ring.

“Once you climb those steps and get in the cage, it’s on. There’s fighting. There is no turning back.”

Haselrig (2-1) will fight Chris Larkin (6-5-1) in the Iron Will Fighting Championship at the War Memorial.

The 7 p.m. event will be the first sanctioned MMA card in western Pennsylvania.

“He’s got some cage experience,” Haselrig said of the 5-foot-10, 225-pound Larkin. “He’s a MMA fighter and he’s coming to fight. That’s what I plan on doing.”

The 6-foot-2 Haselrig weighs

258 pounds. He hasn’t fought since a loss in July. Previously, he began his MMA career with two straight victories last year.

A former six-time national wrestling champion at UPJ and ex-All Pro lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Haselrig will be a fan favorite during the scheduled three-round bout.

“I understand what I’m there for,” Haselrig said. “I know I’m there to win my fight regardless if I’m in my backyard or not. I’m happy that it’s in front of the hometown fans and I’m sure that will give me some added confidence and an added spark. It will only help.”

The co-main event will feature Charlie Brenneman (7-1-0) of Hollidaysburg against Chris Thomas (4-2-0) at 170 pounds. Ten other three-round bouts are on the War Memorial card.

“It’s going to be a cage. People might have never seen it,” Haselrig said of the MMA ring. “It’s got padding in the corners. There is a mat in the middle.”

The setting might be different, but Haselrig is accustomed to being in this type of situation.

“It’s still the experience of the big game,” he said. “I’ve experienced enough big matches, enough big games and enough big events that this type of thing doesn’t bother me. I’m prepared. I’m not in awe of that aspect of it. That’s one of the plusses I bring into it.

“I’m expecting a great crowd,” Haselrig added. “This is my hometown. It’s the first MMA event in west-central Pennsylvania.”