Recent Team Academy Fight News

MMA Results:

  • John Castaneda has gone 1 – 1 since April 2018 with Combate Americas, winning his last fight at Combate 35: Combate Estrellas 3 defeating his opponent by an Arm Triangle Choke.
  •  Kazim Kahn Turned pro back in April 2018 and has gone 1 – 2, with his one win coming by unanimous decision with HFC 37 in Hammond, IN
  • Kaitlin Young Is 3 – 0 in her return to MMA winning her first fight by unanimous decision at Rizin 12 and her most recent win coming at Invicta FC 35 by referee stoppage in the 3rd round
  • Anthony Kromvig is 1 – 1 since March 2018, losing a tough decision at A-Town Throwdown 13. But he bounced back for a win at 3 River Throwdown 15
  • Grant Bolduan Lost his first fight at LFA 61 by decision but bounced back in his second fight to win at LFA 68 by referee stoppage in the 2nd round
  • Josh Fleck is 4 – 0 in his amateur career with his most recent win coming at 3 River Throwdown 15 by unanimous decision
  • Ryan Ferguson Has won his last 2 fights; at No Mercy 9 by unanimous decision and at A-Town Throwdown 14 by neck crank

Muay Thai Results:

  • Troy Jones: Is 3 – 0 since signing on with Glory. His 3 wins coming by 2 unanimous decisions and a KO 1:00 min into the first round
  • Tom Jenkins Is 3 – 2 since turning pro and lost a tough first fight with Glory at Glory 58: Chicago Superfight series by KO in the 3rd round
  • TBA’s 2019: Josh Fleck, Josie Lidberg and Bryan Beck all fought hard but lost their first fights of the tournament. While Sean Nonhof won 4 fights in decisive fashion to win the title in the Novice Light Heavyweight division

CONTENDER SERIES: JOHN CASTANEDA SEES EXPERIENCE AS KEY TO SUCCESS

Contender Series: John Castaneda Sees Experience as Key to Success

17 Things Peak Performers Can Say

One of the wonderful by-products of high self-esteem is that you become a “Peak Performer.” Every day you become more aware of your abilities and recognize that opportunities to stretch your capabilities are limitless. You desire change, growth, and challenge, and a healthy self-esteem provides the energy. Peak performers have more than goals, they have a vision of what their life will mean to themselves and others. Peak performers do not live in the future. Peak performers make sure each step taken in the present keeps them on the road toward their life goal.

Peak Performers Can Say:mma classes minneapolis

  1.  I am motivated and have a mission with realistic and measurable goals.
  2. I accept complete responsibility for everything I think, say, feel, and do.
  3. I look for the window of opportunity in every situation and know that I will learn from every
    experience if I choose.
  4. I always help others to do their best, and I encourage everyone to contribute something.
  5. I correct my course when I reach an obstacle. This way, when things go wrong, I am still
    headed in the right direction.
  6. I expect and appreciate change. It does not overwhelm me because I am prepared.
  7. I stand up for my own opinions and values and respect others.
  8. I am able to manage myself. I do not require instruction every step of the way.
  9. I am not afraid of making mistakes or of taking reasonable risks.
  10. I am my own coach. I engage in positive self-talk and rehearsal.
  11. I am a life-long student. I am always ready to learn, and I know growth takes sustained
    effort.
  12. I know myself well and still expect to find hidden talents, resources, strengths, weaknesses,
    energy, and interests.
  13. I respect reality both pleasant and painful.
  14. I engage in self-confrontation and do not blame others.
  15. I readily forgive others and myself and correct mistakes when possible.
  16. I am patient, kind, gentle, and compassionate with myself.
  17. I have no need to prove I am better or worse

Instructor Spotlight: Nora Schull

10247396_10152375113586718_8424570583080340773_nCoach Nora started training at The Academy over 6 years ago. Through perseverance and hard work she has earned a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a black rank in Muay Thai. Her commitment to training, coaching, and competing is unprecedented. Her esteemed title of ‘Momma Bear’ was earned through her commitment to the team which has afforded her teammates the ability to travel and pursue their passion. With over 2 decades of experience in modern dance, she oversees all of the arts programming for Minneapolis Public Schools. When she isn’t occupied by these demanding commitments, she is a proud mother of two children, Ella and Ian, and is an avid feline enthusiast. The Academy thankful to have someone of Nora’s caliber within its roster.

Student Spotlight: Jason Gulden

Martial Arts FitnessJason grew up in circle pines and, like many people experienced bullying and street fights. These early experiences help build a desire to learn self-defense. When he joined the Academy, he was searching for real life self-defense and fighting techniques. What he got was not only a working knowledge of self defense but also tremendous health and energy. When he first started training in the foundations program he weighed185 lbs. Now that he has been training in the Combat Athlete program he has lost over 35 lbs! Way to go Jason!

Student Spotlight: Jeremy Allinger

Jeremy began training in 2013 at the request of his doctor.  His goals were to get in shape and lose weight. To date he has lost over 70lbs by training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!  In addition, he has found that the martial arts training has helped develop self-confidence and problem solving skills.

Jeremy’s son Quinton was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2014.  If you see Jeremy’s bright orange gloves, you might want to know that orange is the color for leukemia awareness. He wears the gloves as a reminder to himself how he and his son are fighting together for health and energy.  We are proud of the positive effect training has given Jeremy and his family. Way to go Jeremy!Image

February 2015 Muay Thai Testing

IMG_8942 Another month of training, another month of testing. It was a great night of Muay Thai for our Combat Athlete students and we are so proud of all those that continue to push themselves and consistently put their skills to the test at the end of each month!

As a benchmark of sorts, testing is crucial to successes and growth in training. Not only does it help the Instructor know when a student is ready to rank up, but it highlights, for the student themselves, how much growth can be achieved in just 4 weeks and serve as motivation to push harder, to learn more.

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Academy fighters in Bellator’s 10th season

Bellator begins its 10th season February 28th on spike TV. The main draw for this card will be former UFC champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. former Bellator 205lb champion Christian M’pumbu, but this night also kicks off the promotions featherweight tournament where The Academy’s perennial knock out artist Mike “The Marine” Richman looks to be the last man standing out of the 8 man tournament. In the first round Richman will take on Desmond green (10-2), which will be part of the Spike TV televised main card.

On March 21st Brandon Girtz will enter the lightweight tournament against Derek Campos in Kansas. This is actually a rematch for the two, who fought to a decision last year, Campos got the nod. Now spending some time training in Colorado under Trevor Whitman (Grudge MMA) Girtz will look advance in the tournament and reclaim victory over a former foe.

Academy Bantamweight Andre” The Diva” Tieva will also take part in the upcoming season for Bellator, though it is not certain of an exact fight date yet. Stay tuned as 1 or more academy fighters could also join this promotion.

Bellator season 10 will air on Spike TV Fridays at 9/8c starting February 28th.

The Juice is Loose

juice2 weeks ago the Co-main event of Driller promotions’ Epic fight night was dealt a major blow. Nick Compton, who was taking on (4-0) Codie Kahler at 155lbs, suffered an ankle injury while training. Originally the plan was to reschedule the match up for February or March. But then the plot thickened.

MN ranked #1 Lightweight Zach “Juice” Juusola  decided to jump back in the cage and fill in for his teammate on very short notice.  Juusola has been out of action since September of 2012 when he submitted  (7-2)Bill Christianson. After a year of injury and surgeries “Juice” is ready to put himself back on the scene in a big way with a victory over the Rising prospect in Kahler.

Also in action this Saturday at Epic night club in downtown Minneapolis…. Carl Deaton looks to keep the wins rolling as well as Mikey Zimmer, Clarence Jordan, Dustin Murphy, and Melvin Cruz who also comes back after a year long layoff.

Video: Flyweight Mark Sainci Joins the squad