2022 Competition Results

MMA:

John Castañeda went 1-1 in the UFC last year, including a tough fight which resulted in Castañeda taking home the victory via arm triangle choke in round three at UFC Fight Night.

Sean McPadden had two wins in 2022. Starting the year off with a win via rear naked choke, McPadden finished the year with a second win via Guillotine choke at LFA 142.

Reshal Malik went 1-1 last year with a unanimous decision victory at LFA 129.

Quang Le fought twice last year, winning both times. One win came via neckcrank

while the other was a unanimous decision victory at LFA 129.

LFA 142 was a big event for athletes out of The Academy. Noah Gasho, Mitchell Wilson, Shamar Williams, and Griffin Parriott, all took him wins.

Mike Richman had a big year in which he went 2-1. After beating David Rickels and Isaac Doolittle, Richman became the interim BKFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

 

TBA Classic 2022:

Twenty-five fighters from all of the The Academy locations competed. Andy Kieker, Juanita Shingles, and Clayton Murray, fought and won in their brackets making it all the way to the championship fights. Shingles and Kiecker both won in their championship fights.

BJJ Team Results:

Grappling Industries had a lot of athletes compete from The Academy. Vincent Alm, Hudson Rivera, Michael Sayers, Cyris Eagle Tail, Derek Broden, David Rasmussen, Michael Doubek, Greg Ahlberg, Trenton Weston,and Ryan Wright all competed and medaled. Shamar Williams and Mac Kukowski won gold in their respective divisions.

Fight 2 Win saw Will Kieth, Tyree Overton, Kelly Johnson, Anthony Rose, Ryan Wright, Travis Crawford, and Zac Lundberg all compete.

Recent Competition Results 2021

MMA Team Results:

UFC Training MN

  • Rose Namajunas defeated Zhang Weili to retain The UFC Straweight World Championship.
  • LFA 120 – Quang Le and Mitch Wilson won their fights. Sean Stebbins, Royce White, Lad Fisk and Dalton Albrent also fought and lost.
  • Jhellani Olton won his first 2 amatuer Fights
  • Shamar Williams won his first 2 amatuer fights.
  • Dylan Kiskila won his amatuer debut while breaking his leg – literally!
  • Juanita Shingles defeated Shaelyn O’Connor at Fury Fights
  • LFA 115 – Quang Le won his fight. Reshal Malik lost his fight.
  • Bailey Shoenfield defeated Kory Moegenburg at Bellator 265
  • John Castaneda defeated Eddie Wineland at UFC Fight Night by KO

Boxing/Muay Thai/Glory Team Results:

Boxing Training Minneapolis

Mike Richman

    • Troy Jones Jr – Lost by dec. vs Alim Nabiev at Glory 3: Collision in Arnhem, Netherlands
    • Jorge Munoz Pederson – Won the title at the TBA-SA Tournament of Champions. Levi Eckberg, Jordan Lai, & Malaquias Jarmon also competeted.
  •  Mike Richman defeated Dakota Cochrane  by KO
    at BKFC 21

BJJ Team Results:BJJ Classes Minneapolis

  • Kelly Johnson won Black Belt Master 5 IBJJF Master World Championships 2021. Travis Crawford and Zac Lundberg also competed.
  • Ignite & Zebra Present World Class Grappling Grand Prix –Hayden Buckner won, Kelly Johnson Lost, Zac Lundberg Won
  • Fight 2 Win – Hayden Buckner won, Kelly Johnson Won, Zac Lundberg Won,  Clay Uddley won, Jhellani Olton Won Ryan Wright lost, Kyle Chaney Lost.
  • Michael Sayers, Noah Gasho, Ayanna Moy, Cassie Fassula, Harley Westerlund, Garret Ellertson, Malaquias Jarmon, Greg Ahlberg, Tenzin Nyima, Derek Broden, & Jason Huynh Competed at the Grappling Industries Tournament in Jan 2022.

 

Training, the Heart of the Martial Arts

The martial arts have been part of my life for 43 years. From the beginning, I had friends that trained with me, but I spent a good deal of time with myself. Both are important to your development in martial arts and almost everything you do. The most successful that reach their potential and make the greatest strides, hold training as the heart of martial arts life. The ones that push themselves to higher levels and are more consistent have steady training partners along the journey.  Consistent training over time will accelerate your growth and make training more fun.

It is important to know that everyone has talents. At the beginning, we are all unsure how to develop our new skills and talents to reach our full potential. To become the ‘good, better, best’ that you can requires consistent training – consistency is king!   Start where you are, start with small deliberate steps, but be consistent.  Watch techniques, training methods, skills and drills being taught with focus and mindfulness. Keep the image of your instructor doing the skill as you start performing the repetitions with your partner. Practice by yourself in front of the mirror, on the heavy bag, or grab a partner and take 5 – 10 minutes to drill back and forth.  You can also watch the skills being performed over and over with some intense focus. A great source is TeamAcademyCoaches.com to watch the techniques of the month.  You can watch matches, fights, training, and techniques. Watch them over and over until you start to form a mental blueprint. Picture the movement, body mechanics, position and structure. Finally, focus on your body performing the same skills.

Once you begin to feel more comfortable with the technique, it is time to up your training. Keep in mind, ‘Technique is everything.’ You want to drill with precision and sharpen your technique.  Quality is more important than quantity.  ‘Repetition is the mother of skill, but discipline is your Daddy.’  You want to get your reps in but, you need to be specific, detailed and disciplined with those reps.  , it takes discipline to show up and do the reps necessary to reach your potential.  One of the best ways to be more disciplined is to have a solid training partner that shows up.

A training partner that shows up ready to work is important to keep you accountable. They will also give you feedback and make training more fun. Your instructors, top competitors, and top students all do consistent training outside of class with consistent training partners. Pick someone you like to work with and then, “Think like a gardener, work like a carpenter.” It is important to remember that skills grow over time and you have to water, weed and cultivate your skill like a gardener.  You need to plan and prepare your training to build a strong foundation. Connect your skills and techniques together like a carpenter building a beautiful house. ‘Training is the heart of the martial arts lifestyle.’ Training over time with great training partners is where the magic happens.

Being a Good Training Partner

Coach Greg Nelson talking about the importance of helping our partners train and how to be a good training partner

 

 

Bring Up Your Energy with Greg Nelson

 

The Evolution Of Combat Sports

Talking about how the different combat martial arts, such as Thai Boxing, have developed as sports especially in the United States

 

Martial Arts Goals As You Age

Listen to Coach Greg talk about how your goal for training can evolve over time as you get older

 

 

 

Bringing The Martial Arts Mentality To Everyday Life

 

Training With and Through Injuries with Greg Nelson

Coach Greg talking about how to and when you can train through an injury

 

Academy History – Learn Our Story – #1 Martial Arts in MN