A Closer Look at the Championship: Penedo and York Discuss Future Face-off

by Avery Abruzzo

In just under two weeks, Antonio Penedo and Manuel York are set to compete in the Super Welterweight Division Championship in Portland, OR, Saturday June 27th, 2026.

This marks Penedo's ninth Armored MMA fight, York's fourth, and the second in which the two will face off. They first fought in May 2025, in Houston, TX—in what was, actually, York's debut match.

In the time since that fight, the two have ended up with a closer connection than most; it's not unusual for fighters to build rapport, but both fighters mentioned that they've forged a unique bond with each other.

"[Penedo]'s a good person, and he's one of the few other Hispanic people in the sport," York said. "He brings me closer to my heritage. I have a massive amount of respect for him."

Respect was a point that York touched on several other times. He shared that when he first started, he was swiftly humbled—and that it's taught him not to underestimate his opponents.

"Being humble, checking my ego and respecting the work of my opponents is definitely something that I've carried throughout my time in armored combat, as well as leading up to my championship fight today," he said. 

Both fighters have, of course, been working hard leading up to the fight and honing their skills.

"It's a lot of rounds and game-planning," York said. "I don't like going in blind, because that just doesn't seem like I've studied. So, I do a lot of rounds, a lot of studying. And aside from the training in the gym, I do a lot of weight training that focuses on explosiveness and maintaining cardio. And strength training, as well."

Training isn't just a physical commitment, though. It can also be incredibly time-consuming.

Penedo shared that his training can take up to thirty-six hours a week.

"I've been working a lot on martial arts and swordsmanship," said Penedo. "I'm also doing very strong physical conditioning. I'm becoming much more aggressive in the cage. I don't want to give my opponent time or opportunities to react."

This isn't Penedo's first go at the Super Welterweight Championship; he fought for it once before, against Adam Harrigan in 2024. He lost that fight, but plans to take on this championship with much more experience and training under his belt.

"Compared to when I fought Adam in 2024, I've trained so much more," he said. "I left behind parties and distractions. Right now I'm completely focused on my fighting."

Penedo is currently on a five-win streak.

After suffering a loss to York in Houston back in 2025, he famously proclaimed that he would never lose a fight again—and intends to keep that promise in the upcoming championship. "I truly believe I'm going to be the next champion," he said. 

Winning a championship match would be a big deal for either fighter. Penedo admitted that for himself, the title holds a great deal of allure. 

"Literally, it would make me the king of the Super Welterweight Division," he said. "Becoming champion is what every fighter dreams about. Winning this title would put me in front of the world."

For York, however, the championship is not only a chance to establish himself; he sees it as a foundation for the sport as a whole, too.

"I've been working really hard for this, and winning is going to set a precedent," he said. "I want the investors to see this and understand that we're serious about this stuff. This championship goes far beyond myself. It's more about the future of those that come after." 

For more information on tickets and the live stream, visit armoredmma.com.