Moon native and local UFC fighter Khama Worthy showed his true colors last Saturday after earning his seventh straight victory and winning a second consecutive UFC fight.

After defeating Luis Pena by submission with 2 minutes, 7 seconds left in their lightweight bout, Worthy took to the microphone in his post-fight interview. Rather than gloat, or talk himself up on the biggest stage of his career, Worthy deflected, giving all the credit to his training partners and coaches from Pittsburgh, and advocated for them to get their shot in the UFC.

“Dana White, just going to let you know right now, get my boys in the UFC. Pittsburgh boys is ready,” Worthy said during his post-fight interview.

“I don’t know what’s up, my man Nick Browne is like 9-1 with eight finishes and John (de Jesus) is on like a five-fight win streak and he’s like 12-6 or 12-7 or something,” Worthy said. “They both should be in the UFC so hopefully this fight gives a little more attention to us small town Pittsburgh boys.”

Worthy’s comments were a hot topic after he secured the victory last Saturday. People wondered why would a 33-year old fighter who had just won on the biggest stage for the second straight time would defer to the people who helped get him there.

Well, for the “The Deathstar,” which is Worthy’s nickname, it was nothing but common sense. He was just looking to recognize those who also deserve the opportunity he’s gotten over the past 12 months.

“It’s just human nature; it’s like if someone falls down you help them up,” Worthy said. “Everyone keeps telling me I’m such a great person, but not really, I’m just human. Like, that’s just how it should be; it should go without saying.”

Nick Browne and John de Jesus are both Pittsburgh fighters who have amassed at least 10 fights in their professional career. Browne, 30, is 9-1 and has a two-fight win streak, winning both bouts by a rear naked choke submission.

Although Browne fights out of the All-American MMA Academy in Connellsville, he goes to Worthy’s gym, The Academy of Martial Arts and Fitness, to train with the best and prepare for fights. To hear Worthy give him a shout out, meant a lot to Browne and what he is working toward.

“Right after watching the fight, I knew what kind of person he was, and I was almost, not expecting it, but I had a feeling he was going to give a good shout out,” Browne said. “Then, my phone started blowing up and everything. It was a good feeling to watch that.”

Worthy and Browne have been training together for nearly seven years, and while Browne has helped Worthy along the way, the Moon native has reciprocated those efforts in helping Browne reach new heights.

“Seeing him at that level, it gives me an idea of what level I need to push myself to,” Browne said. “If I’m slacking, if I’m not on the right path, I get to see where I need to be to get there. So it’s like a nice little insider view.”

Browne’s next fight is July 31 on LFA 87 in South Dakota, and he’s hoping one more fight could put him over the edge.

“Hopefully, one more win can help propel me into the UFC,” Browne said. “Having a good training partner like (Worthy) and getting shout outs might make it a little easier.”

John de Jesus, 29, also is looking for his first professional fight on the biggest stage. As one of Worthy’s primary training partners, de Jesus pushes Worthy to the limit every time they square off. Worthy admitted most fighters don’t have that type of training competition.

But, that’s what makes Worthy and the people around him special. While it may just be one person in the cage under the lights, it takes a team to get him there and Worthy wants to give the people that helped him as much recognition as possible.

“As much as it is an individual sport, it’s the complete opposite,” Worthy said. “You have to get tested outside the cage before you get tested inside of it. To do that you have to have good training partners to do that. They are a really big and important part. They don’t get paid, they don’t ask money, they come in and train.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)