Moret and Smith ready for bigger stage

May 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Next month on June 21st Ressurection Fighting Alliance (RFA) heads to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for its 8th campaign. The card is Stacked with 2 title fights of which the biggest promotion in the world (UFC) will have a close eye on.

Jeff “big frog” Curran (34-15-1) will Take on Sergio Pettis (5-0) for the Flyweight title. Curran is 1-0 since dropping to 125lbs and will look to use his brilliant ground game and veteran approach to take out the Younger brother of UFC superstar Anthony Pettis who is known for his striking abilities.

In the Co-main event- Jared “demon eyes” Downing (9-1) will defend his featherweight title against fast rising prospect Lance “the Party” Palmer (5-0) of Team alpha male. Downing a well rounded fighter will an aggresive style is looking to keep his recently won belt against Palmer who is a 4x state champion and 4x all american wrestler from Ohio State. All 4 of these fighters are close to making the Jump to the UFC. Especially the winners of these to affairs.

The Academy is sending 2 warriors to battle as well. Both to be Featured on the nights nationally televised main card on AXSTV.

Benjamin Smith who is riding a 3 fight win streak into this event, will be taking on Mike “biggie” Rhodes of Rufusport in Milwaukee. Both carry official professional records of 4-1 into this fight. With Rhodes being a striker by trade and Smith a dominant wrestler, the contrasting styles will make for an interesting fight.

Last but not least, Dan “hitman” Moret, riding high off a unanimous decision win against a very tough Stephan Watt (4-2)   April 27th, will put his 4-0 record on the line against Wisconsin’s Jose Pacheco (7-3).  After having to pull out of RFA’s January event the “hitman” picked up another locally win and picked up a plan to move to 145lbs where this fight will take place.

Tune in to AXS TV June 21st 9pm central to watch our guys in action.

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(funny) Practice Preparation with Alex Van Krevelen

April 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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Video: Kaitlin Young talks Invicta FC & new opponent

April 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Kaitlin young fights for Invicta Friday April 5th

 

 

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The Academy’s MMA updates: news & notes

March 2, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Here at the Academy Competing is our business… And business is good.

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This coming Thursday (march 7th) Mike ” the marine” Richman is set to do battle with Alexandre “popo” Bezzerra in the semi final round of Bellator’s featherweight tournament. The winner will go on to the tournament final on either march 28th or april 4th. This is Richmans second tournament run under the bellator promotion. During his run he has gone 3-1 with all 3 wins by knockout.

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Jordan “pretty boy” Parsons was scheduled to fight March 2nd for CFA (cage fighting alliance) in Miami, Florida at 145 lbs in a rematch against Danny Chavez who Parsons beat to win CFA’s Featherweight title just last summer. Coming off his 1st career loss in his defense of the belt, “pretty boy” has been chomping at the bit to get his hands on anybody they will give him. Hungry for battle, to say the least. The fight has now been pushed to April 20th.

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On March 23rd Donald williams, Ben Locken, Jesse Midas, and Sean Richman will all fight for SEG/Driller promotions in Burnsville, MN. The show is nearly sold out, the only way to get tickets in the next few weeks is from the fighters themselves. One of the more anticipated fights of the night will be Sean Richman vs Nick Spina for the promotions 145lb Amatuer belt.

Stay Tuned for news, notes, and match ups for April!

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Jacob Volkmann signs up for World series of fighting

March 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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.

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Catching up with Carl Deaton III

February 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
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Team Academy sends four to fight for K.O.T.C

February 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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This saturday, February 16th, Four academy team members will go to battle in Morton,MN for King of the cage promotions in what sounds to be a sell out casino crowd.

Victorious in his Amateur debut january 26th, Jason Huntley will lock horns with Bounoun Tonsay at 135 pounds. Huntley was asked to be on this show just a day after his debut win. He gladly accepted for chance to stay busy and gain more experience. Not much is known about his opponent but it will be a crowd pleasing affair as lighter weight fights normally are.

Ben Smith, who also fought january 26th, will be in action against local journeyman Reilly griffin. this fight will be held at a catchweight of 195 pounds. Both fighters will weigh in the day of the fight, hours ahead of the fight. Smith who fights at 170 lbs took this fight on short notice to stay active and attempt to build up his resume.

In what many think will be a fight of the night contender, Carl Deaton will take on Wrestling stud Josh Wiseman. Deaton a good strong wrestler in his own right will drop back down to 135 pounds for this fight. Wiseman, a former state champion and cadet national champion, went 4-1 in his Amateur bouts fighting at both 145 and 135, and this being his pro debut. He is not taking an easy fight for a pro debut as Deaton (3-0) is a bigger wrestler with good striking.

In the nights Main Event Mikey Zimmer will face Journeyman Starr Roberts at 155 pounds. Zimmer is a Morten,MN local. Therefore the crowd will be anticipating this fight all night. Starr Roberts record leaves much to be desired, but he always comes to fight with his athleticism and fundamental striking. Roberts always fights tough competition. Zimmer is coming off the first loss of his career dropping him to 4-1 as a professional and will be looking to get back to his winning ways.

 

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Team Academy Profile: Ben Smith

February 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Ben smith Def. Rico washington by Unanimous dec. 1/26/13

Ben smith Def. Rico Washington by Unanimous dec. 1/26/13

Calm, cool, and collected but ever the competitior is Ben smith.

Moving from Las Vegas to Minnesota months ago with his Family, Smith has been a great addition to The Academy MMA team as both a practice partner for everybody big to small, but also an overall great pressence to have in the room everyday.

What is your martial arts background & how did you get started in MMA?

Ben:” I started training in MMA around 3 years ago in an effort to connect with my roots as a wrestler. I started wrestling when I was 5 years old, and after having been disconnected from the sport for almost 10 years, I felt there was a major piece of my foundation as a person that was missing, or at least lacking the appropriate nurture. MMA has filled those gaps for me.”

What motivates you day in day out?

Ben:” I’m motivated to wake up and face the grind every day by an uncompromising need to seek out personal actualization. The sense of merit and accomplishment, which my involvement in MMA supplies, allows for me to be a better, happier, and more adjusted man for my family.”

How did you end up at the academy?

Ben:” I spent the last couple years training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. Although I was happy to move back to Minneapolis in order to be closer to family, I was nervous about finding a gym that would suit my needs as well Xtreme.  Everyone I asked told me that The Academy was where it’s at. They were completely right, and I’m incredibly honored to be a part of the gym.”

What are your goals as a competitor?

Ben: “My only concrete goal in MMA since I started was to get myself to the UFC. I figure that when that happens, I will reassess and come up with some new ones.”

What do you enjoy most about the sport/ training at the academy?

Ben:” I love competing in MMA because its a tangible attack against immobility, doubt, and fear. Every person, in one fashion or another, has to face those things in life. Competing in one on one combat just happens to be the medium that best suits me.”

“What I love most about The Academy is the motto it operates under (Opera non Verba…Deeds not Words). I wish all factions of the world would operate under this very simple, and very noble principle.”

 

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

January 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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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.

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The Academy Stays dominant at the Hyatt

January 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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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.

 

 

 

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