“Mixed results” is a term that could best describe the night for The Academy at Driller promotions’ “Mecca at The Myth” MMA event Last Saturday.

135 — Dustin Murphy (Academy) def. Sam Khom by submission due to arm triangle choke at :56 of third round.

Murphy was able to use a slick ground game to Dominate almost the entire fight until he was able to find the finish in the third Round. His opponent appeared to be the stronger of the two physically, but Murphy’s technique won that battle. Both showed minimal striking but nevertheless it was a solid start to a big fight card.

175 — Ben Lindau (academy) def. Otis Hamilton by unanimous decision (29-28 on all three).

Lindau, A college student at MSU-Mankato & BJJ Blue belt, was able to out do the Strong heavy handed wrestler in Otis Hamilton with a great bottom ground game and ability to take the fight to the ground when he needed to. Each round started out with heavy shots on the feet by both but then would go to the ground for a majority of the time. Lindau has several near finishes by submission.

170 — Chris Hugh def. Jesse Midas (academy) by TKO at 4:57 of first round.

Both Guys came out throwing leather, Midas the noticeably smaller fighter was able to put Hugh against the cage at will but ultimately was caught by a bad elbow and was dropped, the ref quickly maybe even pre maturely jumped in.

Heavyweight — Phil Hawes (Academy) def. Tom Krenzel by TKO at :15 of first round.

Academy new comer Phil Hawes a Huge middleweight jumped up to HWT for the Driller HWT title. His opponent former Academy member Krenzel was aggressive but was on the wrong end of a big Hawes Right hand.

170 — Bill Finn def. Clarence Jordan (Academy) by KO at 4:32 of first round.

Bill Fin came out swinging…and kept swinging…for the fences. After stuffing a quick takedown attempt from Jordan, Finn discouraged Jordan from attempting any more. In the Battle of who landed the bigger shots Finn won. Knocking his opponent out cold with a nasty Uppercut to Hook combo. This won him $500 cash for KO of the night.

135 — Mike Hernandez def. Carl Deaton by KO at 3:53 of first round.

In the Nights Co- main event, Carl Deaton was out done by Michagan’s Hernandez’ in dominating fashion. Deaton was dropped early in round 1 and was never able to find his groove against a very aggressive game from Hernandez. After stuffing the only  takedown attempt from Deaton, the 135lb force throw a combo that ended the fight for good.

More News and notes to come on upcoming Academy fight dates!

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.

Over this past weekend 3 fighters went up to Bismark,ND to fight for impact fighting championships. Nick Kirk, Ben Smith, and Nick Compton. All took their Victories by way of submission. Kirk via Arm triangle in round 2, Ben Smith via D’arce choke in round 1, and Compton in round 1 via rear Naked choke.

This Saturday April 20th The Academy’s Tyler Hellenbrand, the #1 ranked 155lb pro in Wisconsin (6-0) will take on one of Minnesota’s Elite 155lb’er Tony Martin in Fargo, ND. Both fighters are coming off of Impressive wins going into this fight to prove who is really on the door step to the big show. Martin is coming off of a decision victory over Phillipe Nover, a ufc & bellator vet who is also a black belt out of New York. Hellenbrand is fresh off a decision victory over Robert Couilliard, a 6′ 3″ jiu jitsu ace whos only other professional loss is to The Academy’s Jordan Parsons.

Tyler took this fight after Teammate Nate Homme ( BJJ instructor) had to pull out just 3 weeks prior due to neck injury. Many are anticipating a real slug fest due to the hype behind both fighters. Hellenbrand the strong brawler, and Martin the Ground game specialist.

April 27th…Dan Moret, Alex Van Krevelen, Jesse Midas, and Andre Tieva are scheduled to fight at Canterbury park in Shakopee,MN for Driller Promotions. Dan Moret will be taking on the ever dangerous Stephan Watt ( 4-1) in the nights Co-Main event. Moret is coming off a big win over Watt’s teammate Damion hill this past september before signing with RFA. After having to pull out of his RFA bout in january, Moret is looking to again show his superiority over the states 155 lb division.