Tuesday feb. 19th-

MMA Fight Team Quick News:
Des Moines promoter set to make his mark at UFC 82 in Columbus Ohio next week. John "Hurricane" Halverson will make his second attempt at a victory in the UFC against Brazilian Black Belt Jorge Gurgel on March 1st. Things didn't go John's way in his first UFC fight against Roger Huerta. An illegal knee allowed Huerta to pounce on Halverson and the ref stopped the fight by way of TKO. John contested the decision, but it was final. With better training (including a trip to Xtreme Couture in Vegas) and a longer notice, John is very prepared to do whatever it takes to get his first victory in the big show. Gurgel is an alumni from The Ultimate Fighter reality show and is a training partner of Rich Franklin and Dustin Hazelett. Hurricane told me he was looking to keep the fight on the feet. Gurgel has lately done the same, straying away from his BJJ roots. The fight will most likely be the opener and should be explosive. Anderson Silva will look to retain his belt against always dangerous Dan Henderson in the main event.
Speaking of Des Moines promoters... John Halverson and Ryan Hass, the men behind The Midwest Cage Championship, are holding another event March 7th at the KGGO arena. The main event will feature to promising featherweights. Will Shutt, a previous lightweight champ has moved down to his natural weight of 145 pounds. Will trains with Oregon Jiu-Jitsu Academy and is the half brother of Des Moines native turned pro, Enoch Wilson who is also now out of Oregon. The man stepping up to the plate to bring the belt back to Iowa is Tim "The Psycho" Gorman. An all-star wrestler with extream freakish strength will look to use his speed and agility to find a win. Be sure not to blink for this fight, or you may miss it. Danny 'The Badger' Anderson will face off against slugger Corey "The Projekt" Simpson. This fight is fairly even on the feet, but The Badger will have a big advantage on the ground. Ronnie Britt, Cole Jennett, Paul Bird and Nick "The Man with the Golden Heart" Walker will also be on the card. Tickets will start at $18.00 and range up to $50.00. Pick up your tickets at the Buccs arena or call 515-278-9757.
www.midwestcagechampionship.com

 

   Thursday,December 27th-

Fireworks one night only at the Val Air Ballroom

January 26th marks the return of the Title Fight Championship.
In a show properly titled "The Awakening", Brian Green (14-9)
takes on Mike Van Meer (28-19) in the nights main event held at The Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines, Iowa.
Brian Green, a young fighter, promoter, and journeyman has fought all around the midwest and as far away as Florida. Green,like others, got started at the ever famous and now defunct Toad Holler night club. After his first loss, Green was told by a Toad Holler regular that he felt Green had a lot potential and to train a bit and come back. Sure enough, Green lost his first few fights but finished his amateur career with 8 wins in a row. Nearly five years have passed since his first fight, Green is still in the game. Green has proven himself as a submission specialist with the majority of his wins bychoke or armbar. Brian Green started his own MMA promotion with friend Shawn Sparks and now have 5 shows in the history books. Green has not had a fight in nearly 6 months, will the ring rust be an issue or will the bad blood get him fired up?
Mike Van Meer, a fighter always ready to roll, had 6 fights in2007.
Like Green, Van Meer had his fair share of fights at the Toad Holler night club. Van Meer started out as a heavyweight but has made his way down to the middleweight class. Not only has Mini Van (as Van Meer is called) dropped two weight classes, he's defended his belt on a few occasions at that weight class. Van Meer hs trained with some world class fighters such as Charles  Diaz who has went to a decision with UFC ex-champ Sean Sherk and Ronnie Britt who has the 14th best record in the entire world according to  Sherdog.com. Van Meer is no more than 5'6" so he is always used to giving up the reach advantage. Green is around 6'2" so its nothing Van Meer isn't ready for. Van Meer has won
6 out of his last 7, could this be 7 out of 8?
Neither of these fighters have defeated the UFC veterans they've faced,however, they've both beat a lot of tough guys on the way.
Both fighters predicted a win by removal of the other fighters head. The trash talking has begun and and a video has even appeared on the always popular Youtube.com. On January 26th, will Brian Green earn himself a championship belt, or will Van Meer continue to reign supreme and continue on his hot streak?
You'll have to be there to find out!


 

   Wednesday, December 12th-

Superman to face Kid Hercules at the Riviera in Las Vegas.

On January 8th, 2008, Victor "Superman" Moreno (25-10) A Des Moines Mixed Martial Arts Academy standout from Des Moines, Iowa will square off against Jesse "Kid Hercules" Forbes (4-2) out of the Arizona Combat Club based out of Tempe Arizona. This event is first MMA show fully sponsored by MTX Audio.
Moreno, an Iowa favorite, is riding a 5 fight win streak and will look to add another win to his record next month. Victor has extremely hard punches and knockout power in both hands. Although cardio is usually one of Morenos stronger points, he has not went to a decision in his last 11 fights. Out of Morenos 10 losses, 7 of them are to UFC or IFL veterans. This supports Victor's attitude of "Anyone, anytime, anywhere!" Forbes is an excellent wrestler, so Victor will be spending a lot of time sprawling and attempting to keep the fight standing.
To keep his skills above average, Jesse Forbes trains with a handful of pro fighters such as Drew Fickett, CB Dollaway, and Jamie Varner. A two-time Arizona state wrestling placer, ground and pound is "Kid Hercules" best game. Before his loss to Bryan Baker in the WEC, Forbes was on a three fight winning streak. Forbes holds an undefeated kickboxing record with 8 wins and 0 losses. Forbes was a contestant on the third season of The Ultimate Fighter. He lost his opening fight to Noah Inhofer but then returned when Inhofer left the show to be with his girlfriend. Forbes also lost his comeback fight against Josh Haynes before losing in the live finale fight to Matt Hamill.
Both fighters have had bad luck against UFC veterans. Moreno, a KOTC/IFL veteran and Forbes a UFC/WEC veteran will definitely give the crowd an explosive and fast paced fight with non-stop action. Each fighter has a book full of talent, on January 8th, we will find out who studied the most.

  Tuesday, December 4th-

Midwest Cage Championship makes it to national TV.

Inside MMA is a new show devoted to the mixed martial arts world that debuted on the HDNet channel in September 2007. The hosts of Inside MMA, Kenny Rice and Bas "El Guapo" Rutten discuss results, upcoming events and latest mixed martial arts highlights from all around the globe. HDNet is the first national television network broadcasting all of its programming in 1080i HD, the highest-quality format of high-definition television. Owners Mark Cuban and Phillip Garvin launched the channel in September 2001.
In the most recent episode of Inside MMA, John Kruck discussed the lightweight tournament held at 95 KGGO/Buccaneers Arena at Midwest Cage Championship 11 (Night of Champions). The Des Moines Iowa based show was started by local fighters John Halverson and Ryan Hass.
In the opening bout of the night, Jeff "Lil X-Rated" Carstens squared off against hard hitting Jaxon Mason. The match started off fairly even, but Mason was able to land a punch on the top of Carstens head that split nasty cut open. The gash was so bad, blood was pouring down the face of Carstens onto the mat and the fight was stopped. With the win Mason locked down a position in the finals.
In the second bout of the night, Will "The Fury" Shutt was matched up with Teddy "Red" Worthington. Worthington was able to finish the fight rather quickly with a triangle choke. Worthington would now be fighting in a rematch with Mason, whom he beat in a decision a few years prior.
Worthington and Jaxon were in great shape thanks to their short bouts earlier in the evening. After a quick takedown, Worthington secured and arm bar and Mason was forced to tap. Worthington would receive his belt from previous holder, Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens. Stephens was called up to the UFC in May of this year. Lil' Heathen will look for a big win January 23 rd against American Top Team member Cole Miller in an event on SpikeTV. Mike Van Meer (middleweight), Bobby Voelker (welterweight) and Chuck Grigsby (light heavyweight) the current Midwest Cage Championship beltholders defended their titles successfully on the show as well.
Inside MMA is a great show for fans, and is available to everyone. If you do not have this channel available on your TV, you can watch it online at www.hd.net/insidemma.html. Links to each episode are available. Special guests and inside personnel are featured on the show such as Jason "Mayhem" Miller, Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk, and TapouT magazine publisher Bobby Pittman. Who knows, maybe you will be featured some day!

 

  Sunday, November 25th--

 Jeremy Stephens (16-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) will square up against American Top Team fighter Cole Miller (13-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC). The fight will take place January 23rd at a location yet to be determined. Mike Swick, Patrick Cote, Drew McFederies and Corey Hill are expected to fight at the event as well.
 Stephens, a Des Moines Iowa native, has won 10 out of his last 11 fights. Known for his heavy hands and big heart will look for the knock out against Miller to up his streak to 3 wins in a row. First getting past Nick Walker at the Midwest Cage Championship 9 (www.midwestcagechampionship.com) and then coming off his first win in the big show over Jiu-Jitsu black belt Diego "The Octopus" Saraiva at UFC 76. Stephens trains at least twice day with the Des Moines Mixed Martial Arts Academy and is always in excellent shape.
 Miller, originally from Macon Georgia has moved to Boca Raton Florida to train with one of the best camps in the world, the aforementioned American Top Team. Miller most recently scored a unanimous decision win over "The Bad Boy" Leonard Garcia at UFC Fight Night 11. Miller will have the advantage on the ground thanks to receiving his Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt under Ricardo Liborio. Miller has participated in some triathlons to help with his endurance inside the octagon.
 Both Stephens and Miller are still very young, 21 and 23 respectfully and have long futures ahead of them in this sport. Be sure to check out this event which will be aired free on SpikeTV.

   Thursday, November 15th--

 Opening of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Themed Store in Valley West Mall Breaks Trend Setting Retail Ground --

 Des Moines, IA- November 15, 2007 - UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens and fellow fighter Paul Bird will combine numerous synergistic elements when they open PJ's Combat Hut at Valley West Mall in West Des Moines on Friday, November 23. "Tying the hottest sport, a killer location, and a personality driven retail concept together provides a destination for fight fans and creates an environment to make new ones," commented Stephens, a local fighting legend and rising national star.
The 2,000 square foot store is located in a space previously occupied by The Limited. PJ's Combat Hut is one of the largest stores of its type in the country and may well be the first located in an enclosed mall. The store carries clothing, books, DVD's, and items appealing to fans, as well as supplies for fighters and people training in the sport. MMA apparel, commonly known as fight gear, has become one of the most popular categories in many clothing and department stores, including Nordstrom's. PJ's Combat Hut will carry many of the most recognized clothing lines including Sinister, Pimpit, Warrior Wear, UFC Wear, Stacks and Bundles, Kubed, and Title Boxing, as well as a private label from Jeremy Stephens.
"There is amazing support of MMA in Iowa now and interest continues to blow up," provided partner Paul Bird. MMA has become the fastest growing sport in the country and has garnered significant national press recently. Stephens and Bird are able to utilize relationships with other celebrities, while applying their own celebrity to create excitement in the store. "Mixing it up with fans is absolutely one of my favorite parts of being a fighter. As I will frequently be in the store, I'm able to extend myself to more fans and to thank them for what they've done for me," offered a grateful Stephens.
PJ's opening on the Friday following Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year. A Grand Opening follows on Saturday, November 24, with celebrity appearances by well known UFC fighters Josh Neer and Spencer Fisher. Both fighters will be on hand from 10AM to noon, and 1PM-3PM to meet fans, provide autographs, and offer photo opportunities.

PJ's Combat Hut is located in Valley West Mall on the lower level near the food court. They can be reached online at www.myspace.com/pjscombathut.