Wordwide the reputation of the Academy is that of Winning fights. Locally in Minnesota on smaller shows the Academy MMA team is usually expected to put out great talent and winning fighters. This past saturday this held true as the The Academy went 3 of 4 on the night.
The first fight of the night pitted wisconsin’s Ryan Johnson versus Academy part time member Randall Rasmussen. It happened to be mainly a ground battle throughout the 3 rounds of this amateur affair. In the End Ryan Johnson took home a unanimous decision victory.
Next up for the Academy was Jason Huntley in his mma debut versus Jack Shreffler a jiu jistu fighter out of Midwest center for movement in Hudson,WI. this was also a back and fourth battle for three rounds taking place on the feet, against the cage, and on the mat. After 9 minutes of back and fourth action Jason Huntley won a Split decision victory.
Living up to the pre-fight hype created by Ryan Sweezer out of Getsum compound in St.Cloud,MN, Ryan Sweezer versus Academy Product Andre “the Diva” Tieva was an action packed affair. For Weeks leading up to this fight Sweezer proclaimed that he would Knock Tieva out in 3 minutes or less. Tieva took that challenge and stood with Sweezer for much of the fight. Almost everytime Sweezer came in with a flurry, “The Diva” was quick to counter with big right hands and quick hooks. After a contestive first round many people had it 10-9 Sweezer.
The story remained the same in round 2, Sweezers flurries versus Tievas smooth counter attacks. eventually Tieva would time a Double leg take down and get the fight to the floor where he would lock in a Rear Naked choke at 4:19 of round 2 to move his record to 3-0 as a proffesional.
Another under story to this fight was the fact that Ryan Sweezer came in at 141 pounds, Tieva made the weight but took the fight reguardless.
Shortly after Tieva/Sweezer came New Academy Team member Ben Smith taking on grizzled veteran Rico Washington at 170 lbs (washington would miss weight also). After a long feeling out process by both fighters in the 1st round, Smith, who moved here from Las Vegas months ago, used his superior wrestling,technique, and intelligence grinded out a unanimous decision. 30-27 on all cards.
