Art of War Cage Fighting kicks off their 2026 campaign on March 28th at Valley Forge, PA Casino with AOW 46: Turnbull vs Ryan Yapsam. AOW President Mike Bickings and team have six events scheduled for the calendar year.
Grindhouse MMA and Fitness has been building a great tradition with all of their programs and of course the fight team. Former AOW featherweight champion, Shawn Stefanelli has been coaching up the young fighters, and we will see three of them head to the cage on Saturday evening.
Anthony Corsino
Anthony has had three fights thus far (2-1) but it’s been more than 2 years since his last bout. Corsino tells us that life and work have derailed him a little bit but nonetheless, he still has that itch to compete and seeing his two teammates in camp was the extra push he needed to find a matchup. Corsino will face off with Sean Casey. Do not let his 0-2 record fool you. He’s taken on two very good prospects and despite not being victorious, he has looked very poised and is only 20-years-old taking on the 34-year-old Corsino. Anthony was busy helping prepare his teammates when this fight fell in his lap and he is eager and working hard.
Dan Stewart
Dan has been training for his debut very diligently. He has been in the gym for several years and now he feels is the right time. Stewart has made the commitment to his diet and gym time and still has that handsome babyface that he will try to keep intact. This is Stewart’s debut and he credits Shawn Stefanelli for imposing his grinding and hard-working style, Stewart will face Shaker Ali-Saleh who took an absolute stud in Justus Cheatum the distance but lost out on the judges’ scorecards. This looks like a legitimate fight of the night candidate.
Sean Conner
Sean is 27-years-old and has been working at his craft for almost five years and has a 1-1 record with a submission victory and a five-round loss by decision which were both in 2014. Conner has really formed a great friendship with both Corsino and Stewart and says that has made it even easier to commit to the gym and keep improving. He welcomes Tasheem Morris to the AOW cage for his debut. Experience edge definitely goes to Conner. We will shortly find out if that is a factor.
I also spoke with Grindhouse leader Jerry Bradley. He tells me…
“Sitting back and just watching the three of them together form a bond has been really special. That’s why I do this. It’s much more than fighting. These men have found forever friends and they push each other. It’s going to be a big night for them and Grindhouse. We can’t wait.”
Neither can I Jerry! I will be handling the ring announcer duties for this one and the fight card is looking very full of interesting, fun fights. If you cannot make it to Valley Forge, the event will be on the Starfund App via PPV. Doors open at 6. First bell is 7pm.
