Moon MMA fighter Khama Worthy to help christen 247 Fighting Championships' new venue in North Versailles

Khama Worthy still has the desire to fight. The 38-year-old Moon Township resident feels like he owes his fans the opportunity to see him perform.

Worthy will help the Pittsburgh-based combat sports promotion 247 Fighting Championships christen its new venue, Sunny Days Arena, on Saturday, Aug. 9, in North Versailles by fighting Luis “Violent Bob Ross” Pena in a kickboxing main event.

Worthy, who made his short-notice UFC debut in front of 17,304 fans on Aug. 17, 2019, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., was disappointed the pandemic robbed him of fighting in front of such a crowd again.

Worthy knocked out Devonte Smith at UFC 241, setting a then-record for being the largest betting underdog to win. Worthy fought four more times in the UFC, including a submission win over Pena, but all of the fights took place in front of no spectators at the UFC Apex.

“I want to give the fans the exciting fight they are looking for,” Worthy said. “I only had fans for my first fight in the UFC. I want to give people the opportunity to see me fight.”

247 Fighting Championships general manager Hunter Homistek said the fighters on the card for their first event at their new venue have provided him with comfort. The 247 Fighting Championships have long wanted their own arena. They previously held events at the Monroeville Convention Center, Murrysville Sportszone and Dek Hockey and the Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

He wants everyone who comes to the new arena, which used to be the Phoenix Cinemas, to be impressed.

“To a degree, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have nerves,” Homistek said. “I want people to come to the venue and think ‘Wow, this is incredible.’ I’m not worried about the fights. The fights will be great. Venue-wise, we want to make sure this is a place that people want to come back to.”

When Homistek visited the old Phoenix Cinemas off Route 30, he fell in love with the space. The movie theater had an open lobby with a railing along the second floor, which looks down on the cage.

The building has capacity for 1,300 people. There will be about 70 high-top tables on the second level to watch fights.

On the floor, there will be 630 seats in addition to standing room only.

Homistek said they worked hard to find fighters who could deliver good fights for the card. There have already been a few changes, but Homistek said it is part of the process.

“It’s crazy,” Homistek said. “It can drive us insane. There are times when we look at each other and ask why do we keep doing this? When the events happen, it’s a reminder that all the time was worth it. Even the UFC, which is the biggest promotion with the most resources, has its card change during fight week. It’s part of the game.”

Worthy has a 20-12 professional MMA record and lost his last fight via first-round knockout in March. While Worthy said he knows he won’t be able to fight soon, he enjoys the challenge of trying to solve the puzzle that is mixed martial arts.

“That’s what I live for,” Worthy said. “Regular life is boring. I always have to have something that challenges me.”