It was early Mother’s Day morning and Cole Alaxanian delivered a two-word social media post that drifted away from the usual well wishes directed at all the moms who are deserving of gratitude and recognition.
Instead, Alaxanian made it clear where his current focus is on and it has nothing to do with family gatherings and everything to do with what takes place inside the octagon in six days.
The two words - “Fight Week” were posted by Alaxanian, accompanied by a grueling workout session video filmed recently at Mule Fitness in Amsterdam.
“All the work is done,” said one of Alaxanian’s trainers, Tommy Marcellino. “Our focus now is making sure his weight is on point.”
Alaxanian, a 33-year-old professional MMA fighter out of Albany, takes a four-fight winning streak into his featherweight fight against Isaiah Monroe Saturday night in the main event in Cage Wars 70 at Armory Studios in Schenectady.
The Alaxanian-Monroe bout will be part of a 12-fight card that will also feature amateur bouts. The card is also Cage Wars’ first of four scheduled fight shows at its new venue after spending seven years at Rivers Casino in Schenectady. Doors at Armory Studios open at 4:30 p.m. with the first fight scheduled to start at 6 p.m. It also marks the first Cage Wars show since Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino took over as majority owner last month. Cage Wars founder Tim Rankins remains on as President/Matchmaker after serving the past 18 years as owner.
“I’m really excited about this fight,” Alaxanian said. “I’m gaining a lot of experience and working with different trainers at different gyms has helped me.”
Alaxanian trains at Schott’s Boxing with Kyle Provenzano, Mule Fitness with Marcellino and also works with Jiu Jitsu instructor Brian Beaury. Together, they have combined to give Alaxanian an arsenal that has opponents leaving the octagon a loser in all of 2024 and now in 2025.
“Working with different guys has certainly made a difference,” said Alaxanian, who tallied a 4-7 record as an amateur. “It’s made me a better all-around fighter.”
The Alaxanian-Monroe featherweight fight will be part of a professional main event with Luis Melendez making his pro debut against Nick Bord (3-2) in a super welterweight fight.
Alaxanian, coming off an impressive second-round submission victory over Mike Kimbel on Jan. 4, is currently ranked 33rd in the U.S. Northeast Featherweight division. He started his professional career back in April, 2023, losing by first round submission to Robert Antidormi, but has since reeled off four straight wins and comes into Saturday’s bout loaded with confidence.
His opponent, Monroe, holds a 3-2 record and is ranked sixth in North Carolina’s Lightweight division.
“I really don’t know much about him,” Alaxanian said. “I’m not taking him lightly.”
Marcellino notes that Monroe holds a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Monroe, who is 3-2 as a professional, excelled as an amateur, compiling a 7-2 record.
“It takes 8-12 years to earn a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu so we know he’s a dog,” Marcellino said. “It’s a totally different game at the pro level. They are all dogs. You have pro fighters who have a .500 record who were state wrestling champions in high school.”
Alaxanian, a brown belt, is not concerned about Monroe’s black belt status.
“He’s a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, but MMA is different,” Alaxanian said. “I roll with black belts on a daily basis. I’ll be ready.”
