Mar 26, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 4 min read

Josh Fremd rose from competing in obscure locations to the Fight Capital of the World, but the Connellsville native learned some valuable lessons while fighting in the UFC.

“I think the main thing I learned while fighting in the UFC is that they don’t mess around,” Fremd said. “I was released from the organization for missing weight. I also made some stupid mistakes, which affected some of the decisions I made, but I have taken some time off and am ready to get back to work.”

Fremd will have his comeback fight this Saturday inside the UPMC Events Center on the campus of Robert Morris University in Moon Township as part of the Professional Fighters League’s PFL Pittsburgh.

The former Falcon is scheduled to face Jarrah “The Jordanian Lion” Al Salawi in a middleweight (185 pounds) clash on the 12-fight card.

Fremd brings a professional MMA record of 11-6 into the fight with Al Salawi, who comes in at 21-7. Fremd was 2-4 in the UFC, and had his last fight with the organization on July 13, 2024, before being released.

“I wasn’t treated unfairly or poorly in the UFC, but if you have issues making weight, they are going to cut you,” Fremd said. “There are other guys chomping at the bit to take your spot. A similar situation happened with another guy on this PFL card in Bryan Battle, who will be in the main event. He was on a seven-fight win streak, but missed weight, and the UFC released him.”

Despite not fighting in nearly two years, Fremd believes his skill set and determination will drive him to defeat Al Salawi.

At 6-4, Fremd has a height advantage on the 5-11 Salawi. He has a four-inch arm reach advantage (76-72) and a three-inch edge in leg reach (44-41).

“I’ve watched his fights in the PFL, and in no way am I looking past him, but I believe I have the advantage in every skill set,” Fremd said. “The weight cut won’t be a problem, and I want to go out there and prove I am here and one of the top guys in the world. I will also look to take some chances and get him out of there in the first round. That is the landscape of MMA right now.”

Following his release from the UFC, Fremd was in a state of melancholy, but a phone call from a former training partner helped turn his somber mood into delight.

“I grew up in church, and I would say the Lord’s timing is very funny,” Fremd said. “I was on my couch, sad and depressed, when a guy I used to train with back home, Dalton Rosta, called me about the card in Pittsburgh. He said I need to get with my manager to be on the card. He was being a brother, and I couldn’t ask for a better comeback opportunity with a guy who I grew up training with.”

Rosta, who grew up in New Castle, is in the co-main event on Saturday.

Fremd is eager to compete in Southwestern Pa. for the first time since he was battling it out in local promotions.

“I am excited to be able to come back and compete in my hometown,” Fremd said. “The PFL is giving me a great opportunity and it is a great option for people. When I was released from the UFC, I didn’t want to go back to fighting locally because I believe I still have the abilities to put on a good show and be one of the best fighters in the world.”

Fremd will be back in action less than three weeks after Saturday’s fight, but for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) in the promotion’s event on April 17 at the National Western Center in Denver, Colo.

“I was offered to fight in a bare-knuckle boxing event, which is just three weeks after my PFL fight, but I am excited for the opportunity,” Fremd said.

Fremd, who currently lives and trains in Englewood Springs, Colo., will focus on business Saturday before stopping back in Connellsville to visit his old stomping grounds.

“I am going to get this ‘W’ and spend a week in Connellsville,” Fremd said. “I am going to stop at The Paint Room for some wings.”