By Kenny Varner

BURNHAM – Taking his game to the next level, MIfflin County resident Jayden Wise will be making his MMA debut this weekend in the “Brawl in the Burgh 28” held in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Competing in MMA is something that Wise has been always wanting to do and now his dream of making the card for “Brawl in the Burgh” is about to come true.

“It’s something I wanted to do for a long time basically my whole life,” said Wise. “It’s always been something. I just started training back at Lock Haven MMA and things just fell into place. There was an open fight for Brawl in the Burgh. They were looking for a 145-debut opponent so I jumped right in there.” Wise will be going up against Ethan Pappas April 26th.

Wise has been training for this moment since 2022.

“Professionally in a gym on and off I’ve been training,” said Wise. “I started at Lombard, then to Top Team in State College and now I’m at Lock Haven.”

With a background in sports, Wise has been active on the local sports scene through the years.

“I played football and wrestled til I was in ninth grade. Then I kind of went off of that,” Wise said. “Then into the gym here where I lift weights.”

There are different reasons what he likes most about the sport of MMA.

“The part I like the most is probably everything about it,” said Wise. “I like the Adrenalin, that live feeling you get. It’s a primal sort of thing. You just feel like it goes way back.”

His journey on this road started as a young kid and hearing stories which would light the fire of what is now a burning passion for his sport.

“It started by just hearing stories of my dad back in the day. He was always into it,” said Wise. “ I actually remember specifically being at my paps I called him, Chip Aumiller, we were at his house. We were watching UFC fights and it was my first time. It was Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. From that fight on I was hooked. I knew that’s what I want to do and that’s what I’ve been pushing for ever since.”

The smile on his face showed how important this chance is for him.

“I am super excited. I’m also a little nervous but I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be,” said Wise. “But like I said before I’ve been wanting and training for this my whole life. I just believe it’s my time.”

Some athletes have superstitions or rituals but not Wise he just likes to attack things head on.

“I have no superstitions or rituals per se,” said Wise. “I just go in there and I fight which is what I like to do.”

The Burnham resident doesn’t have a favorite move but would just rather just go toe-to-toe with his opponent.

“I like to just stand up and bang. I don’t want to be rolling around on the ground,” said Wise. “I definitely want to stay on my feet and slug it out.”

His opponent is Ethan Pappas.

“ A little bit of background on him, he’s younger. I don’t know exactly his age,” said Wise. “He has a wrestling background. Nothing crazy. He has a year of MMA striking and stuff like that. It’s going to be a good fight. I definitely I think I have the upper hand though.”

Wise has little downtime as he is a fixture in the gym room at the Juniata Valley YMCA.

“I’m in the gym per say, everyday,” said Wise. “For training MMA specifically it’s normally only Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Those are just the days they do it down in Lock Haven. The rest of the days on me. Whether I’m down here at the “Y” doing cardio and weights or I have a little set up at my house where I have a heavy bag and all that. Everyday it’s a daily thing for me.”

To watch the event live you can go to Wise’s Facebook or instagram account (Jayden wise) you can find the link to get tickets or live stream it free. You can stream it right off your phone or computer. You can also find it on 247 Fighting Championship.