With the ever-growing popularity of Mix Martial Arts and the vast offerings in the sport, many training facilities have opened.
Starting in 1993 as a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, UFC has revolutionized the fight business and today stands as a premium global brand.
The popularity of the sport initially caught the interest of a minuscule pay-per-view crowd made up mostly of men. Combatants whaled at each other with little rules involved. It was a rough and at times bloody event that saw smaller competitors facing off against behemoths twice, even three times their size.
It was many different forms of martial arts clashing against each other. Brawlers versus Black belts, Martial Artist facing Street Fighters, you name it, you’d see it early on.
Many states wouldn’t sanction the events as early on, it was thought too brutal and barbaric as evidenced by a disclaimer at the beginning of the UFC 5 broadcast which warned audiences of the violent nature of the sport.
Politicians found it abhorrent with one sending letters to every governor in the US to ban the sport. One politician called it “Human Cockfighting”, eventually leading to 36 states banning “No-Holds Barred” fighting.
With the sport facing much criticism, the UFC cooperated with state athletic commissions and modified its rules but maintained the core elements of striking and fighting. Weight classes were introduced, and more rules were added which allowed the sport to increase in popularity.
A manual of policies, procedures, codes of conduct, and rules help change the perception of the sport to what it has evolved into today.
Fans became more and more attracted to the sport, with many wanting to enter and compete in the sport which also including many women. Training facilities began opening up throughout the country and world-wide.
Among those was the Midwest Training Center in Schaumburg Illinois.
Owner and Head Coach Alex Trujillo presented a variety of attractants to those interested in learning, training and with an opportunity of testing their skills in actual MMA competitions.
Among the options available to clients was training in MMA, Boxing, Kick-Boxing, Muy Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling.
“We offer a handful of branches on the tree with quality instruction in each facet of the Mix Martial Arts,” said Trujillo.
Trujillo as coach also has an extensive background, holding a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu along with two decades of experience in Wrestling and Muy Thai.
Trujillo doesn’t do it all himself. Alex has gathered some high-quality coaches for each of the types of training you desire.
Giving a lot of credit and speaking highly of each of his instructors which include Shannon States in the Boxing portion; Tim Tokarz in Muy Thai along with Barry Hoppen; Eric Kohlberg heads the Wrestling and Trujillo, who coaches it all.
“Every arm here has its own Program Director and actual curriculum,” said Trujillo.
With the vast array offered by MTC, enrollment has increased steadily with over 200 members currently.
Trujillo feels fortunate of his early success. “I actually came out of the gate pretty quickly with some early success in Mixed Martial Arts. Early on I had Clay Guida (UFC star), Chase Bebee (Belator and World Extreme Bantam weight Champion)”
Trujillo stated that the early success gave him a false feeling of the ease of succeeding in the sport.
“I had this illusion of the ease of success. I had to stay in the sport and learn some valuable lessons and figure out a way to continue to create lightning in a bottle.”
Being thrown back into the field, Trujillo found it help him build character after the early successes. His MTC team has developed that same character he did, and the success of the team is truly a one for and all for one mentality.
“We train as a team but compete as individuals, but our successes are both.”
Trujillo initially competed in the sport but a series of decision in his life prevented him from maintaining the regiment of training as a competitor and led him to starting his own training facility 15-years ago transitioning into coaching others.
Having his own vision of what and how he felt was best for him and his philosophy in the sport, he opened MTC.
What MTC offers isn’t solely for those that want to pursue a career in the sport. You decide as a member how far you want to go. From the training once a week solely for being healthier and getting or staying in shape, to committing several hours daily, Trujillo and staff offer their expertise to assist you in reaching whatever goal you have.
Trujillo’s MTC team had several of its competitors fighting in the Chicago Cagefighting Championships in Elmhurst Illinois and had some successes as a team.
The following is a recap of the evening’s bouts.
Hunter Liberty vs Tim Carpenter
Carpenter controlled from get go with a takedown to full mount. Liberty Fought off his back but in doing so, exposing his back unable to escape the domination of Carpenter during round one. Carpenter avoids round house attempt by Liberty and grabs takedown. Working his ground and pound, the referee was forced to stop the fight after a Carpenter barrage of left and rights at 1:58 of the second round.
David Enriquez vs James Robinson
Enriquez was the aggressor to start the fight resulting in a low blow to Robinson that stopped the fight briefly. Robinson catches Enriquez with a kick to the neck. Robinson is forced against the cage trying to limit Enriquez and control hands. Robinson delivers another kick that catches Enriquez in face and then an assault of kicks and punches to Enriquez face. He withstands the pummeling to end the round.
Enriquez is being beaten to the punch as Robinson times his punches thrown early in round two.. Enriquez still aggressive but can’t avoid punches and receives another kick to his face to end round. Round three saw the tempo slow down dramatically as neither was able to gain an advantage. Robinson wins by decision.
Jeff Gifford vs Shijirbaatar Lkham
Gifford was fodder for Lkham. Soon after takedown, the fight ended quickly when Lkham launched a brutal right hand that found its marked and it was lights out for Gifford after 34 seconds. KO by Lkham..
Roman Pupuc vs Thomas Sullivan
One punch knocks Sullivan down, but he recovers to battle along cage. Back and forth fighting along cage with no advantage most of round one.
Sullivan starts off round two with three consecutive kicks. End up against cage tied up. Both battled to center of the cage. Sullivan again lands a couple of kicks followed by a looping right that lands but has little effect on Pupuc. Pupuc opens offense and lands punches to end the round.
Pupuc has Sullivan bleeding from nose after receiving a few punches during the inside fighting. Puouc lifts and grabs a take down. Sullivan gets to his feet but is taken down heavy at bell and is bleeding. Pupuc gets the decision 29-28 win.
Reiter Bird vs Nick Aguirre
Aguirre gets an early quick takedown and tries for a Kamora but loses it after a scramble. Continuing his pressure, Aguirre puts Bird in a Guillotine choke and Bird taps to end the match at 1:57 of the first round.
Eric Rejer vs Marko Vukicevic
Vukjcevic size was too much for Rejer, who was pummeled from the get-go. Vukjcevic was relentless in gaining full-mount, layering numerous punches until referee stepped in and stopped the bout at 1:51 of round one. TKO due to strikes.
Amin Szymaniak vs Tarik Estrada
Estrada fights along cage as he presses Amin against it. Front kicks and attempted punches by Estrada force the action where they tie up along cage. Kick to mid-section by Amin knocks wind out of Estrada. Estrada recovers and ends first round in full mount.
Estrada gains a takedown to begin second round. Amin reverses takedown looking to take control. Estardas defense is superb as he limits Amin. Another takedown by Estrada after getting to his feet and now throwing multiple punches. Again, ends round on top.
Estrada grabs another takedown during the final round and proceeds to side mount as time ticks on. Elbows to Amins face are bothersome but not doing much damage. Most of the round is spent on the ground as it expires. Estrada gains a split decision 29-28 victory.
Perla Vargas vs Nikki Mungunshagai
Lots of back and forth along the cage with no one controlling much. Mungunshagai ends the first round with a takedown.
Round two saw another takedown by Mungunshagai gives her the advantage but Vargas is working hard to escape. Mungunshagai gains full-mount and starts hammer punching, continuing till the end of the round.
Mungunshagai starts the third round with control but makes a mistake along cage and gets taken down by a tough Vargas. Mungunshagai gives up position and is on the mat fighting off a rear naked choke. Mungunshagai manages to fight off choke attempt by Vargas and gains full-mount after muscling up. Mungunshagai laid punches down until the bell. Mungunshagai wins by unanimous decision.
Anthony Farfan vs Charlie Chi
Quick stoppage after some pummeling by both Farfan ad Chi but after being hit, Chi bowed out and submitted at :52 of round one. FarFan wins by TKO due to strikes.
Co-Main Event
Oscar Jurado vs Datrelle Kozeluh
Kozeluh takes down Jurado to open round one, then throws left hands at Jurado’s face for a stoppage early. Kozeluh displayed his fast hands numerous times which connected on Jurado and took total control of fight from the start. Kozeluh won at :36 of round one by TKO due to strikes.
Co-Main Event
Ronny Hauser vs Gabe Navarro
The much-anticipated fight between Hauser and Navarro lived up to its hype. Lots of feeling out early on as neither was ready to commit or be caught in an error. Some quick action and an attempted takedown by Hauser was attempted but Navarro fought off Hauser’s efforts which saw them tied up along the cage. Hauser landed some late punches along cage right as round one concluded.
The pro-Navarro crowd fueled the fans favorite, but Hauser was masterful at keeping Navarro at bay and limiting his action. Plenty of scrambling displayed pretty good defense by Hauser and Navarro kept advancing with nearly no success. Hauser ended the second round with a flurry of punches which probably won him the round.
Navarro can’t gain any advantage and looks winded and frustrated midway through the final round. Hauser simply was more active and landed more blows. Navarro looks too winded as fatigue sets in at the conclusion of the bout. Hauser received the unanimous decision.
