Pittsburgh's premier mixed martial arts promotion returned to FloCombat Saturday with Pinnacle FC 15: Mazzotta vs. Staley. 

Featuring high-level UFC prospects Dominic Mazzotta and Mark Cherico, the event boasted legitimate mainstream appeal, and the fights certainly delivered. 

In the main event, longtime Pittsburgh MMA legend Mark Cherico took on Antonio Castillo, Jr., in a long-awaited grudge match. 

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The two went toe-to-toe on social media for years, insulting each other's fight games and personal lives alike. It got dirty, and the action inside the cage lived up to the high standard the two set online. 

...For a moment, at least. 

Castillo dropped Cherico with the first punch of the fight, sending him tumbling to the canvas. 

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A fighter doesn't get to 10-1 without facing some adversity, however, and Cherico battled back by popping up, securing a body lock and dragging Castillo to the mat. 

There, the fight ended, as Castillo's ankle tangled awkwardly under his body, forcing it to break. Castillo could not continue, and Cherico was awarded the victory via TKO (injury). 

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While he did earn his 11th career win, Cherico was quick to note his win wasn't exactly what he wanted in his post-fight interview. He also noted that all the trash talking and bad blood is officially over. 

"It (the injury) happens," Cherico said. "Real quick, there were some things said. My daughter was brought into this, but Tony came up to me like a man yesterday and apologized." 

In the co-main event, Mazzotta--the number-two ranked bantamweight and number-three ranked featherweight in the Northeast--defended his Pinnacle FC featherweight title in impressive fashion. 

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Facing the resilient Solon Staley, Mazzotta was unable to secure the finish, but he dominated the fight both on the feet and on the mats, picking his foe apart and nearly sinking in a rear-naked choke on numerous occasions. 

As both the Pinnacle FC bantamweight and featherweight champion, Mazzotta's time on the regional scene appears to be running out. The win at Pinnacle FC 15--his ninth straight--moves Mazzotta to 12-1. He's long been on the UFC's radar, and this performance certainly takes him one step closer to a career inside the eight-sided cage. 

Pinnacle FC 15 Full Results 

PRO RESULTS 

Mark Cherico def. Anthony Castillo, Jr. via TKO (injury), Round 1
Dominic Mazzotta def. Solon Staley via unanimous decision to retain Pinnacle FC featherweight title
Jose Martinez def. James Pfeiffer via split decision 
John Antanitis def. Frankie Festa via crucifix (Round 3) 

AMATEUR RESULTS 

Sean Felton def. Mike Walters via unanimous decision
Emme Weber def. Meghan Williams via unanimous decision
Malek Mahmoud def. Ross Holub via unanimous decision
Nick Hewitt def. Josh Moyer via unanimous decision