Academy has a “Gold” weekend

Minneapolis, MN April 30th 2014

This past Saturday was an eventful one for the Academy’s BJJ competitors and MMA team alike.

Ben Smith Driller SEG Welterweight Champ!

Downtown Minneapolis was the scene of an epic night of fights for Driller Promotions. Two of which were for the promotions welterweight & featherweight titles. Driller has grown to be the most prominent fight promotion in Minnesota and one of the top destinations for fighters in the entire Midwest.

Kicking off the night was Michael Jokondo (Brooklyn Center) at 130 lbs against Drew Breckling of Wisconsin. after 2 rounds of back and forth battling on the canvas, it was Jokondo taking home the win via triangle choke for the Academy against the wrestler in Breckling. This win moves Michael to 2-0 as an amateur.

Next up was Mikey Zimmer (Minneapolis) at 155 lbs against the veteran Rick Jackson (4-3). This one ended midway through the 1st round by rear naked choke from Zimmer. Who is bouncing back from being 0-1-1 in his last two efforts moving his professional record to (4-2-1).

In the nights Co-Main event The Academy’s timeless Nick Compton (Brooklyn Park) defended his featherweight strap against a tough (5-0) Jordan Neer of Iowa. The end came at 2:51 in round 1 by Arm bar. Nick Compton is now (9-3) professionally and could be headed to another crack at a  bigger promotion soon.

The nights Main Event help up to all the hype it generated. Ben Smith (Minneapolis) vs Nate Howe of Warriors Cove was a 5 round, very bloody,  submission war of attrition that can only be explained by watching the footage on youtube! in the end it was Smith claiming the Unanimous Decision and the welterweight Title. After his post fight speech it was revealed that Ben Smith now 10-1 will move on to Bellator’s 170 lb tournament late in the summer.

Also in action Saturday was everybody’s favorite Jacob Volkmann (Hugo). The chiropractor by trade picked up a win in Fargo, ND over (9-3) Danny white by tko in round 2. This fight was put together quickly due to his time off from WSOF (world series of fighting).

Ben Smith 9-2 (Team Academy) vs. Nate Howe (8-2) (Warrior’s Cove)