Harford County residents Maik Ferrante and Chris Johnson were both fighting Saturday night, but it was legal. Both men, employees at Bagel Works in Bel Air, were on the card for "Stellar Fights 6-Seasons Beatings," a night of amateur Mixed Martial Arts action at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington.
Ferrante, a 20-year old former wrestler and graduate of North Harford, was in one of four championship matches, while Johnson, 21, a graduate of C. Milton Wright, was in a nontitle match, featuring Muay Thai, a kickboxing style of fighting.
Ferrante battled Jason Brown for five, three-minute rounds before earning the 167-pound championship by a 50-45 unanimous decision.
Johnson battled Jameik Matthews in a 170-pound bout, fighting up from his normal weight of 155 pounds. Johnson also won, winning a 30-27 unanimous decision in a three round match.
Both train at and compete for Method MMA, a training facility located in Forest Hill near Kohl's. Training is also done in Columbia at CSW (Combat Submission Wrestling) Maryland. Ferrante has been training for a year and a half and Johnson has been training for nearly two years.
Both men are eager to continue in the sport, with desires of turning professional in the future. That said, the two are looking for sponsors.