Local MMA Promotion AFP Rising Fast, Battling for Ohio’s Top Honor — and Bringing the Spotlight Home
In just over a year, what began as an idea has exploded into one of the most talked-about names in Ohio mixed martial arts — and it’s being built with heart, grit, and hometown pride.
American Fight Promotions (AFP), owned and founded by David Yaney, is officially in the running for Ohio MMA Promotion of the Year, a remarkable achievement for a company that hosted its very first event less than 12 months ago. From packed venues and elite fighters to cutting-edge production and a loyal fanbase, AFP’s rapid rise is turning heads across the state and beyond .
“AFP didn’t cut corners — we raised the standard,” Yaney said during a phone interview. And the results speak for themselves.
AFP’s debut event took place on February 22, 2025, in Columbus, featuring 14 professionally matched fights — including fighters with UFC contender experience. Since then, the promotion has grown at a blistering pace, hosting four shows in its first year and expanding to six events in 2026, with stops planned in Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Newark, and — if a suitable venue can be secured — right here in the Mansfield-Ashland area .
Yaney, who spent nearly a decade sponsoring top-tier fighters and owning ventures within the fight industry, decided to launch AFP after seeing an opportunity to do things differently.
“I wanted to build something new, from the ground up — something that treated fighters right and delivered a true event experience for fans,” he said.
AFP events have already featured veterans from UFC, Bellator, Championship One, and other world-class organizations. Fighters are flown in from across the United States — including Vegas, Florida, and Colorado — while also showcasing standout local talent from north-central Ohio.
The Mansfield-Ashland region has played a key role in AFP’s story, with several well-known fighters competing on AFP cards. One of the promotion’s most memorable moments came during the final career fight of Chad Trukovich, a bout that made history inside the AFP cage and drew statewide attention .
“To bring something like that back to this area would be huge,” Yaney said. “There’s so much MMA talent here, and this community deserves to be represented on a big stage.”
Setting the Bar for Ohio MMA, From a brand-new round cage and 16-foot truss systems to cold spark machines, professional commentary, celebrity appearances, and fighter-first care, AFP has built a production unmatched by any other Ohio promotion.
“Nobody else in Ohio touches our production system,” Yaney said. “That’s something we’re really proud of.”
Behind the scenes, AFP operates with a core staff of about 10, supported by dozens more on event nights — all working together to deliver shows that feel closer to major national promotions than local fight cards.
Now, AFP needs its supporters.
Voting for Ohio MMA Promotion of the Year is underway and ends January 5, and Yaney is asking fans, fighters, and community members to stand with a promotion that’s putting Ohio — and north-central Ohio in particular — on the MMA map .
How to Vote (30 seconds or less):
Vote here: Ohio MMA News Facebook Page:
Facebook: Visit American Fight Promotions’ Facebook page and tap the pinned voting post
Instagram: Visit AFP’s Instagram page, open the first pinned post, and follow the instructions in the comments to vote through Ohio MMA News:
“This award would solidify what people are already saying — that AFP is the top promotion in Ohio,” Yaney said. “And bringing that recognition back home would mean everything.”
With momentum building, venues filling, and eyes across the state watching, American Fight Promotions isn’t just hosting fights — it’s building a legacy.
And Ohio is watching.
