CONTENDER SERIES: JOHN CASTANEDA SEES EXPERIENCE AS KEY TO SUCCESS

Contender Series: John Castaneda Sees Experience as Key to Success

Team Academy : June MMA Recap

Clarence Jordan with a nice head kick.

Clarence Jordan with a nice head kick.

The month of June was a big one for the Academy from the biggest stage to the small shows. All together the team went 5/10 but every single fighter showed up to fight.

Jacob Volkmann kicked off the slew of fights with a victory over Lyle Beerbohm on World Series of Fighting 4 on NBC sports 1. Nothing is in the works yet for Jake’s next fight but at 16-4 and a great resume of opponents. The next bout will most likely be very notable.

Brandon Girtz was on the wrong end of a decision against Derek Campos on Bellator’s first summer series event of the year.

The fan favorite and perennial “scary” hitting Pat Barry didn’t quite get the outcome he was looking for against Shawn Jordan on the main card of UFC 161. After a brief exchange early in the first round a punch was thrown and it appeared pat was poked in the eye, the referee did not acknowledge it so Jordan pounced and continued to reign down strikes until the fight was called. Barry seemed to be ok and still conscious.

RFA, Resurrection fighting Alliance is turning out to be a premiere organization with a TV Deal and a pipeline of future and former UFC stars throughout their events.

Dan Moret defeated Jose Pacheco at RFA 8

Dan Moret defeated Jose Pacheco at RFA 8

and Ben Smith competed at RFA 8 in Milwaukee June 21st, Moret took home a Unanimous Decision victory over Wisconsin’s number 1 ranked featherweight Jose Pacheco (7-4). Smith’s night was ended by KO from Mike” biggie” Rhoads one of RFA’s highly touted prospects.

June 29th saw 4 Academy fighters in action locally. Jason Huntley lost via Rear naked choke to Mark Sianci of Iowa in a number 1 contenders bout for Driller promotions amateur 125lb title. Newcomer Clarence Jordan took home a submission victory over local journeyman Bruce Johnson to move to 2-0 as a pro. Andre Tieva picked up a Knockout over Illinois’ Ben miller in the 1st round to move to 5-0 as a pro. In the nights main event Jordan Parsons, after a year long lay off took home a big decision victory over strikeforce veteran Derek Getzel.

 

 

Volkmann/Barry kick off busy 3 weeks for The Academy

Jacob Volkmann

Jacob Volkmann World Series of Fighting

Even with a few fighters having to pull out of fights this month due to injury, the next three weeks are big for the MMA squad.

This past weekend Jacob Volkmann took home a unanimous decision win over Lyle “fancy pants” Beerbohm (21-3) at Word serious of fighting 3 in Las Vegas,NV. This marked the first fight out of the UFC for Jake since he was let go by the company 3 months ago.The next night Pat Barry did not come out on top of his fight at UFC 161. Barry lost by TKO ref stoppage in the 1st round against up and comer Shawn jordan (15-4).

Brandon Girtz will take the stage for Bellator this Wednesday the 19th for his 2nd fight with the organization. Girtz (10-2) will lock horns with Derek Campos (10-3) of Dallas,TX as part of the preliminary line up on Spiketv.com as well as Bellator.com.

The 21st of june, this coming friday, two fighters will head to Milawaukee,WI for RFA8. Dan Moret will be taking on Wisconsins No.1 ranked featherweight Jose Pacheco (7-3) in his 145 lb debut. Ben Smith will be taking on Roufusport product Mike”Biggie” Rhodes. Both fights will be part of the televised main card on Axs TV.

To cap off a busy month on June 29th 5 more fighters will do battle locally for Driller/SEG promotions in Burnsville, MN at Highfive sports bar & grill. Jordan Parsons will take on Strikeforce Veteran Derek Getzel in the nights Main event.This marks Parsons first fight since losing his first title defense as 145 champion for CFA in Miami, FL. Andre Tieva (academy) vs Ben Miller, Mike Zimmer(academy) vs Frank Johnson, Clarence Jordan (academy) vs Bruce Johnson, and Jason Huntley (academy) vs Mark Sainci are also featured bouts.

Tickets for these fights can be purchased from the fighters themselves or Cagetix.com.

Jacob Volkmann signs up for World series of fighting

644700_10151267339086241_1113255360_n  After a 6-4 run in the UFC, Academy Team member Jacob Volkmann was given his release after a recent loss to Bobby Greene (20-5) just two weeks prior.

Jacobs peers and teammates believe he should have been given one more chance to prove himself on the biggest stage due to his relentless grappling skills and mental toughness, but with a number of fighters being imported from the strikeforce promomtion ( also owned by Zuffa.inc) cuts were made and Volkmann was one of the unlucky ones.

Bellator fighting championships was a route that Jacob wanted to go, especially with a handful of other academy teammates being part of Bellators roster. It seemed like an easy transition,but after being in contact with officials for the the promotion he learned that there would not be any opening until at least summer. With a sour taste in his mouth from a recent loss and release Jake wanted something sooner if possible. In comes World series of fighting.

World series of Fighting is a promotion out of Las Vegas, Nevada on the NBC sports network. The Roster is loaded with top prospects and former UFC veterans/champions. Andrei Arlovski, Anthony Johnson, Miguel Torres, Tyrone Spong, David Branch, and Gerald Harris are just some of the names of an ever growing list that is handled by WSOF president Former Muay thai and K-1 great “sugar foot” Ray Sefo.

Be sure to look for match up announcements with Volkmanns name included on upcoming WSOF events. Being a UFC veteran, many hungry lightweight challengers will be looking to try their hand at “christmas”. One in particular is John Gunderson (34-12-2) who has called out Volkmann in a recent interview after stating he “just doesnt like him” and that he is “annoying” to him. The next WSOF event is scheduled for March 23rd. After that they plan on another event in either may or june.

No Rest for the Wicked- MMA Team stays busy this winter

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After suffering a loss on the bigger stage at RFA:5 in Kansas city,MI. Nick Compton will be returning to action locally to take on Bellator Veteran Matt “kid lightning Veal (10-8) for the Driller/SEG Featherweight title march 23rd. This will mark Comptons 1st move down to 145 lbs for this feature fight on a show already close to selling out.

This Thursday Nick ” the big hurt” Kirk will return to Bellator fighting championships to take on Tony Zelinski of Michigan in an under card bout that will be live streamed on Bellator.com as well as SpikeTV.com.

Saturday February 2nd, Jacob Volkmann will look to finish a second straight opponent when he Takes on Strikeforce import Bobby Greene at 155 lbs as part of the Aldo vs Edgar pay per view card.

Thursday February 7th Mike “the marine” Richman will enter his second 145 lb tournement for Bellator. Mike will be taking on 20-3 Savage,MN product Mitch Jackson. Mike is 2-1 in bellator with both victories by way of Knockout. In this fight Mike is telling everybody to “get the lawnchairs out, somebody is getting laid out”. Many critics echo this same sentiment.

February 9th, just two days later, Dan Moret and Jordan Parsons will be boxing locally at the St paul crowne plaza. Both men’s opponents are yet to be named. Parsons will also be making his return to the cage March 2nd in Miami,FL for CFA. Moret is awaiting a hopeful slot on the next RFA card after having to relinquish his spot due to injury  January 18th.

other fighters with scheduled bouts include

February 16th King of the cage Morton,MN: Carl Deaton, Jason Huntley, Mikey Zimmer

March 2nd CFA Miami,FL : Zach Juusola

March 23rd Driller/SEG Minneapolis, MN: Donald Williams vs Josh Wiseman.