On a warm April 27th night 32 fighters came to Canterbury park in Shakopee,MN to show a crowd of 1,800 people what they were made out of. Of the 32, 4 were of The Academy MMA team.
First up was Jesse Midas
Jesse landed some solid knees early, but his opponent Zack Ottow was able to counter with dirty boxing in the clinch which opened up a cut on Midas, it was very hard to determine whether it was a punch or accidental headbutt that opened up Jesse’s face.
Both fighters continued to press the action, throwing knees and clinching up. Ottow was able to bring it to the ground, putting Midas on his back. He then started throwing power from up top with elbows and punches,most of them landing pretty flush. Midas tried to turn away, but not much was working for an escape, and the ref finally stops it at the 4:00 mark of the 1st round. 32 stiches were needed in the locker room to close the wound.
Next up Alex Van Krevelen.
Van Krevelen is a wrestler by trade, but he entered the fight looking to throw power punches on Jordan Griffin of wisconsin and didn’t hesitate doing so. He landed a big cross that looked devastating, but it only made smile. In fact, every time Van Krevelen landed a big shot, Griffin would smile.
Van Krevelen kept pushing the pace, coming forward and pressing the action. He landed a nice combo, including a powerful hook that clipped Griffin. Then Alex hit a nice trip and started working for Griffin’s back, but Griffin dropped down to roll for a kneebar. Alex defended then took Griffin’s back again.Griffin stood up with Van Krevelen on his back, a (AVK) tried to sink in the rear-naked choke. He had his hooks in deep and stayed on Griffin’s back tight, but wasn’t able to get the choke. Griffin then walked to his corner while defending then in a way suplexed AVK to survive the first round in the judges eyes.
The beginning of the second belonged to AVK again, with him landing a couple of nice right hands and again taking Griffin’s back. about 2 minutes into the 2nd, AVK looked like he was starting to gas. And Griffin took advantage. He sunk in a guillotine that looked tight, but AVK survived again and ended up on top. He landed some ground and pound and again got Griffin’s back. This time, Griffin again walked him over to his corner and dropped AVK on his head, making the crowd go wild. On the ground, AVK landed a nice upkick, but Griffin ended the round on top.
Both fighters looked out of gas in the third. AVK shot for an early single-leg takedown, but Griffin sprawled and started throwing leather while AVK refused to let go. He landed a number of hammerfists, all of them landing.
Griffin was surely taking control of the fight. He ended up on top of AVK and started raining down elbows for a good amount of time. AVK was bloody and bruised, with cuts and swelling all over his face, but Griffin didn’t let up. He followed AVK around, landing more elbows and punches. Suprisingly the ref wouldn’t didnt look to come close to stoping it.
Jordan Griffin would walk away with a unanimous decision, 29-28, But Van Krevelen showed amazing toughness and grit, proving hes a tough fight for anybody around. Alex is now 2-1 as a professional.
Next, Andre “Diva” Tieva
Normally at 135lbs the Academy product took on Frank johnson of Iowa at 155lb. Tieva weighed in at 151, Johnson 157. this fight was arranged due to Tievas original opponent pulling out from injury. Johnson took the fight on 1 week notice.
Johnson came out swinging with a 3 punch combo, Tieva defended all 3 strikes then w countered with a left hook as Johnson would connect with a cross to Tievas face. “Diva” would then take the “N 4 cer” down with a double leg off of his leg kick attempt. Johnson then locked in a tight guillotine choke and kept Tieva in it for around 1 full minute, squeezing and re-positioning himself to full guard. Once Andre pulled free he began throwing a storm of punches from top. After passing the now open guard Tieva worked more Ground and pound from side control until Johnson gave up his back.Allowing Diva to sink in a Rear naked choke at 2:52 of the 21st round. moving his record to 4-0.
Enter Dan Moret vs Stephan Watt.
Moret landed a solid early jab, but Watt kept moving. The action moved against the cage, with Moret controlling Watt early, but Watt showed his strength putting Moret up against the cage after a scramble ensued. Watt then showed even more athleticism by putting Moret on his back, which was short lived, Moret didn’t stay down long.
Moret continued to push the pace, but Watt was slippery, and Moret wasn’t able to land his many of his intended punches. Moret started to throw more kicks low and high and landed a couple of good ones before rushing in and taking Watt down. while on the floor Watt landed a solid punch or elbow from bottom that opened up a cut under Moret’s left eye.Moret did land a nice flurry while in Watt’s guard including some big elbows. Many thought Watt stole round one.
In the corner between rounds, Moret’s eye started to swell. But that didn’t slow him down in the second. Moret threw a few kicks and some solid jabs, but Watt showed off more great movement. After the fighters locked up, Watt took the fight to the mat briefly, but Moret quickly worked back to his feet.
Shortly after, Moret shot for a takedown of his own and finished it. He then started throwing really powerful elbows, looking to cut Watt. He landed several good ones, but Watt held up and was able to get back to his feet. Waiting for him there was another takedown from Moret. Watt would sweep to end the round but after 2 it was clearly a round a piece.
Moret and Watt both came out swinging leather in the third. With the fight likely tied, both knew what they needed to do in the final stanza.
After both throwing big strikes early, they locked up, and Moret landed a couple of good knees before taking Watt down. For much of the round, Moret sat in Watt’s guard, but both stayed active, throwing elbows whenever there was an opening. He also landed some good body shots. Late in the round, Moret stood up and hovered over Watt, landing a few kicks before jumping back into guard. With just a few seconds remaining, the fighters stood one last time. A clinch ensued and that’s how the fight ended
Moret taking a unanimous nod moving to 4-0. He is now scheduled to move down to 145lbs in june for RFA.
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