BERLIN, Pa. – Taylor Cahill has never lacked confidence, and his latest MMA victory has only helped it grow.
“I think I’m going to be the best in the world,” the Berlin Brothersvalley graduate said after he improved to 2-1 as a professional by defeating Marcus Williamson by first-round submission in a welterweight bout at the 247 Fighting Championships’ Brawl June 29 in the Burgh 22 in Monroeville.
“I do believe that. I think all the things that I’ve worked for are going to pay off.”
The 27-year-old dominated 33-year-old Williamson almost from the opening bell, as the former Division I wrestler used a double-leg takedown in the first 30 seconds to gain control. His ground-and-pound game featured plenty of short elbows, and he eventually gained position for a rear naked choke, which forced Williamson to tap out 2:18 into the fight.
“I kind of wanted to finish him with elbows, but the win just kind of presented itself,” Cahill said. “In a sport like MMA, when a win is presented, you have to take it. I think I looked the best on the entire card. I don’t think there was another fighter that was as dominant.”
It was Cahill’s first fight since he lost to Mahamed Ado by first-round submission 371 days earlier and his first victory since he beat Bruno Mello by submission in September 2022.
In between fights, Cahill took the head coaching position for the Bedford varsity wrestling team, but he stepped down before the end of the season.
Coaching took away from the time that he was able to train.
He also said he was “dealing with some personal issues that I had to battle. … I was able to balance some things out in my life. When the opportunity came, I knew it was my time. I think everyone has their time as far as their athletic career, and as cliché as it sounds, I think this is my time.”
Cahill trains at The Shop in Berlin, a gym that he runs with his brothers Tanner and Toby, as well as former four-time PIAA champion wrestler Gavin Teasdale.
Taylor Cahill spent much of his early career training with Danillo Villefort, of Indio Dojo Martial Arts in Pittsburgh, and even went to Brazil to train with Murilo Bustamante, the former UFC title winner and jiu jitsu world champion.
Lately, he’s been training closer to home with veteran 247 fighter Ethan Goss and coach Darren Cassidy at Gorilla House Gym in Altoona.
He’s now looking a little farther east – to State College.
“I’m kind of making a switch to American Top Team Happy Valley,” he said. “I feel that my wrestling and my grappling is so good that I have to find the next-tier wrestler or grappler to benefit from. I’ve been around some of the best guys in the world. I think the best place for me to level up as a fighter is at State College, because that’s the cream of the crop for wrestling. I know there are guys up there that can take me to another level.”
Harris wins in debut
Cahill wasn’t the only local grad to shine at the Monroeville event.
Former Greater Johnstown wrestler Malcolm “The Alchemist” Harris, who trains at The Shop, was victorious in his amateur debut, as he beat Cameron Jenkins by unanimous decision in a lightweight bout.
“Having a guy like Malcolm step in, it’s just keeping him calm so that he can be himself,” Cahill said. “He’s just a kid from Hornerstown. He’s been fighting his whole life. Keeping him composed is the biggest thing. You know he’s going to win.”
Taylor Cahill,Marcus Williamson,MMA,Berlin
