Local MMA fighters chase their dreams with local fight

Yahoo

16-04-2025

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Two local MMA fighters talked about chasing their dreams as they prepare to fight in Youngstown on Saturday.
Keegan Mahafkey, of Salem, and Kyle O'Hare, of Girard, will both be a part of the fight card for Live MMA 8 at Penguin City Brewing Company on Saturday, April 19.
Mahafkey (3-0) will face Elijah Davis for the vacant Bantamweight Championship, and O'Hare (1-0) will square off with Jon Galarza.
Both local fighters share the goal of one day becoming a UFC Champion.
'I think I have the mindset for it. A lot of people around me think I do, which I have a really good support system,' Mahafkey said.
'That's the goal that I've had since I was a kid, and that's what I work for every day,' O'Hare said.
Mahafkey grew up loving MMA before he joined the Salem High School wrestling team. He credited the coach of the team, Drew Hart, with helping him start his MMA path. Hart is a member of Ohio Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense in New Middletown.
'He said. If you want to do MMA, come here. I'll get you with some guys, and it just went from there,' Mahafkey said.
O'Hare started wrestling when he was just four years old. He currently trains at Leverage Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Cortland. O'Hare praised gym owner Rob Hileman for helping him every day.
'Professor Rob is the number-one guy. He owns this gym. He's gotten me so far in this,' O'Hare said.
Mahafkey tries to win his fights in multiple ways to show his versatility. O'Hare is new to MMA competition, but he is a purple belt who has competed in many jiu-jitsu and grappling matches.
Mahafkey said that his mother gets nervous when she watches his fights, but she is a massive supporter.
'My mother has always been a great supporter, I mean, she's always found it kind of hard to watch, but she hasn't seen me lose yet, so she kind of can stomach it,' Mahafkey said.
O'Hare's mother was skeptical when he started fighting.
'When I first started this, I could tell that my mom was a little skeptical. She wasn't really down for it, but I told her to believe in me, and she did. My dad has always had that unwavering confidence in me, so that was also a big part of this,' O'Hare said.
Both men are excited to fight at a local venue in Youngstown this weekend.
'They somewhat know me. They want to see more of me. I always like putting on a very good fight,' Mahafkey said.
'Competing in Youngstown is something that I've always wanted to do. I'm super excited to compete in Youngstown. All my friends will be there. A lot of people haven't been able to make it because the fights have been out of town,' O'Hare said.
For more information about the fight and how to buy tickets, visit the Made Men Promotions website.
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