Joe Pingitore prepares for big MMA bout at Twin River

By Pete Fontaine
Posted 3/23/17

By day, Joe Pingitore is a fully licensed EMT-C who works for Med-Tech Ambulance. By night, the 2009 Johnston High School graduate, who was a wide receiver/strong safety for Coach Joe Acciardo's 2009 champion football Panthers, is known

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Joe Pingitore prepares for big MMA bout at Twin River

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By day, Joe Pingitore is a fully licensed EMT-C who works for Med-Tech Ambulance.

By night, the 2009 Johnston High School graduate, who was a wide receiver/strong safety for Coach Joe Acciardo’s 2009 champion football Panthers, is known as “Lights Out.” Ever since Pingitore graduated from JHS, he has enjoyed special successes in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA ) boxing.

Next Thursday night, March 31, the son of Joseph Pingitore who owns and operates J. Pingitore Paving & Construction of Johnston, will be thrust into the spotlight at Twin River Casino in Lincoln when he takes on New York’s Kenny Foster in a Three-Round Featherweight Superfight bout that will get underway at 7 p.m. The bout, which will consist of three five-minute rounds, is part of Classic Entertainment Sports MMA card that’s the work of veteran boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield, who recently celebrated his 25th year in professional boxing that now includes MMA.

Pingitore, 26, who earned an associate’s degree at CCRI, also has three Johnstonians in his corner: coaches Peter and Keith Jefferys, who own and operate Tri-Force Gym in Pawtucket, and boxing coach Dave O’Keefe.

As an amateur, Pingitore posted a 12-4 record. Along the way, he won the 155-pound Cage Titans Championship and USKBA Title. He had three KOs and three submissions. He’s currently ranked ninth in New England among 68 MMA fighters and enjoys being touted as No. 28 out of 211 MMA boxers in his weight class.

Pingitore’s most recent win came a year ago on Nov. 23 when he also took a fight on four days notice versus the powerful Matt Bessette, who sources say he battered his opponent in the television match but took a submission.

The 5-foot, 8-inch Johnston featherweight, who checked in at 144 pounds during his last weigh-in, has a 69-inch reach and is said to have speed and power in his game.

Although he’s enjoying his time in the MMA, Pingitore’s ambition is to become a full-time firefighter.

Tickets for next Thursday’s CES42 MMA card are on sale at CESMMA.com or by calling 724-2253. They’re priced at $125 for VIP seats and $55 and $40.

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