Dan Head has more than earned his place as a featured fighter. With an amateur record of 10-0, and a professional record of 9 wins (8 by submission; 1 KO) and 2 losses (both by decision), he has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division. He has held several amateur titles, and is the current owner of the 170 pound championship belt for Colosseum Combat. The fact that both WFCC and egotournaments.com have lined up to sponsor him comes as no surprise to his teammates at the Indiana Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Greenwood, Indiana.
Head wrestled for Tri-Central High School from ’02-’05, winning a total of 121 matches. In 2005, he graduated and went to Ball State University to become an anesthesiologist on a ½ athletic, ½ academic scholarship. After suffering a knee injury, he was not able to play at the collegiate level, and soon discovered that he wasn’t positive about what he wanted to be.
One day, while sitting in his dorm room watching UFC fights on dvd, his friend Joey (who had been badgering him to fight MMA) told him about an event that was being held that weekend. Finally persuaded to do so, Dan decided to give MMA a shot. Joey called the promoter of the event, and Head was matched up against a guy who was in line for a title shot. With zero formal training, relying only on his heart and wrestling background, he won that fight by unanimous decision, utilizing the ground and pound that he still favors today.
After his initial taste of MMA fighting, he was inspired to seek a training ground where he could cut his teeth as a true mixed martial artist. He found what he was looking for at the Indiana Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy under the tutelage of James Clingerman. Although the Academy’s main focus is BJJ, he also works on his wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai, and all around MMA skills there.
Since his debut, Head earned an impressive 10-0 record as an amateur before turning pro. Since then, he has won nine of his eleven professional fights, mostly by submission. Even though he has lost two fights, he has never been stopped by KO, TKO, or submission.
Dan is engaged and recently became a father. When asked about his family’s stance on his fighting endeavors, he said “my family has been very supportive of me. My parents have been at every fight I have been in”. Even with his successes, he works part time to supplement the meager pay that comes with paying your dues in MMA, to make sure his family is taken care of.
Due to his dynamic fighting style, brutal training regiment and impressive record, he was tapped by the UFC to be a contestant on Season 12 of SPIKE TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter”, which premiered September 15th. When I asked Dan about his experience with the show, he was understandably coy about his appearance, but did say that he was very thankful for the opportunity and will continue to strive towards his goal, which is to be the UFC lightweight champion.
If the rumors are true, the Cheesehead Wrestling Tournament should be stacked more this season than any in the past. Both Blair Academy and Apple Valley are expected to join the field at the Cheesehead Invite this season.
This comes as a reversal of plans for Apple Valley. The Eagles did not initially intend to wrestle at the Cheesehead Invite this season, however, when Blair Academy signed up Apple Valley followed suit.
The tournament format may still favor Apple Valley, however, not nearly as much as a dual format event like The Clash.
Look for big points, lots of pins, and a few very important head to head match ups to resolve this one.
August 5th, 2010 | Author: iCompete
This article was originally published at iCompete. Copyright: iCompete.
US Grappling will be holding a points tournament on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the Suwanee Sports Academy. This event will have divisions for adults and 30+ men. This is a single elimination Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission grappling tournament. Registration is now open!
Saturday weigh ins will be held from 8 AM to 9:30 AM for anyone competing in no gi divisions, and will be extended to noon for any adults that will only be competing in the gi. Competitors do not need to wear the gi during weigh ins. Competitors can also register and weigh in Friday night. More information on Friday night weigh ins coming soon.
Suwanee Sports Academy
3640 Burnette Road
Suwanee, GA 30024-2191
MAP
“New York, NY, August 3, 2010 – The 12th season of Spike TV’s popular original series, “The Ultimate Fighter,” will feature 28 of the best up-and-coming mixed martial artists in the lightweight division (155 lbs) competing for a six-figure contract with the preeminent mixed martial organization in the world, The Ultimate Fighting Championship®. From Broken Arrow, OK to Los Angeles, CA, to Manchester, England, the 28 fighters, with a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, have all gathered in Las Vegas with one goal – to become the next “The Ultimate Fighter.” As in prior seasons, 14 of these competitors will win a preliminary bout to gain a place in the Ultimate Fighter House, one step closer to their ultimate goal, whereas the losers of these bouts are sent home.
Two of mixed martial arts’ biggest stars – UFC welterweight champion Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, and the number one contender to his belt, Josh Koscheck, will serve as coaches this season. The two will square off as coaches during the 12 week run of the show, and will later meet inside the Octagon™ with the welterweight title on the line at a UFC pay-per-view event. The new season premieres Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 10:00 PM ET/PT featuring the following cast members:
JASON AMBROSE:
Fighting out of: Santa Clara, CA/ AKA
Record: 12-2
Age: 23
PAUL BARROW:
Fighting out of: Tampa, FL/ Gracie Tampa
Record: 2-0
Age: 24
JASON BRENTON:
Fighting out of: Grand Junction, CO/ 8th St., Impact Boxing
Record: 6-0
Age: 23
JONATHAN BROOKINS:
Fighting out of: Orlando, FL/ Gracie Barra Orlando
Record: 11-2
Age: 24
MIKE BUDNIK:
Fighting out of: Broken Arrow, OK/ Triton
Record: 8-4
Age: 35
ALEX CACERES:
Fighting out of: Miami, FL/ Young Tigers Foundation
Record: 4-2
Age: 21
SAKO CHIVITCHIAN:
Fighting out of: Glendale, CA/ Gokor/ Gene Le Bell/ Hayastan MMA
Record: 5-0
Age: 26
JOSEPH DUFFY:
Fighting out of: Donegal, Ireland / Falcons Martial Arts
Record: 7-0
Age: 22
PABLO GARZA:
Fighting out of: Fargo, ND/ Academy of Combat Arts
Record: 7-0
Age: 26
TOBY GREAR:
Fighting out of: Los Angeles, CA/ True Warrior
Record: 7-4-1
Age: 30
DANIEL HEAD:
Fighting out of: Sharpsville, IN/ Ibjja
Record: 6-2
Age: 23
MICHAEL JOHNSON:
Fighting out of: Springfield, MO/ Springfield Fight Club
Record: 8-4
Age: 23
AMIR KHILLAH:
Fighting out of: Kalamazoo, MI/ Jeremy Horn’s Elite
Record: 6-4
Age: 30
JEFF LENTZ:
Fighting out of: Lanoka Harbor, NJ/ Kurt Pellegrino MMA
Record: 6-1
Age: 21
SEVAK MAGAKIAN:
Fighting out of: Glendale, CA/ Hayastan MMA/ Main Event
Record: 8-3
Age: 24
STEVE MAGDALENO:
Fighting out of: Torrance, CA/ VMAT
Record: 5-1
Age: 28
ANDY MAIN:
Fighting out of: Boonton, NJ/ AMA Fight Club
Record: 4-1
Age: 21
CODY MCKENZIE:
Fighting out of: Metaline, WA/ Fancy Pants Fight Team
Record: 10-0
Age: 22
NAM PHAN:
Fighting out of: Garden Grove, CA/ Ma Du Academy
Record: 15-7
Age: 27
MICHAEL RICHMAN:
Fighting out of: Rosemount, MN/ MN Fight Factory
Record: 8-0
Age: 24
DANE SAYERS:
Fighting out of: Fargo, ND/ Academy of Combat Arts
Record: 7-1
Age: 22
ARIEL SEXTON:
Fighting out of: San Jose, CA/ Renzo Gracie
Record: 6-3
Age: 28
MARC STEVENS:
Fighting out of: Lorraine, NY/ Team Balance/ Relson Gracie
Record: 12-5
Age: 24
KYLE WATSON:
Fighting out of: St. Louis, MO/ The Hit Squad
Record: 13-6-1
Age: 30
RAN WEATHERS:
Fighting out of: Albuquerque, NM/ Greg Jackson’s MMA
Record: 13-5
Age: 28
AARON WILKINSON:
Fighting out of: Manchester, England/ Wolfslair MMA Academy
Record: 6-3
Age: 23
During the six-week taping of “The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck,” the competitors endured a grueling regimen of jiu-jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, karate, boxing and wrestling. The intense competition among the fighters continues after they leave the gym – at the Ultimate Fighter House. These warriors must live together, knowing that any day they might be forced to fight each other in the famed UFC Octagon™.
The two finalists will square off in a live finale on Spike TV, where the winner will be declared “The Ultimate Fighter” and net the six-figure contract. UFC President Dana White will once again serve as host of the series.
After each show, Spike.com users will get exclusive extended footage from each episode and an exclusive video leak of the upcoming episode.
Craig Piligian of Pilgrim Films and Television, Frank Fertitta III, Lorenzo Fertitta, Dana White of Zuffa, LLC, and Kevin Kay of Spike TV are the show’s executive producers. Brian J. Diamond, senior vice president, sports & specials, Spike TV is co-executive producer and Christopher Martello is executive in charge of production for Spike TV.
Spike TV is available in 98.6 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), MTV Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV’s Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV’s press site at http://www.spike.com/press.
What is your experience like at your BJJ academy? Do you have to ask permission to train with higher belts? What’s that like? Vote and let us know in the comments section below too!
Another excellent poll suggestion from Ross in Northern California! Thank you Ross!
May 6th, 2010 | Author: iCompete
This article was originally published at iCompete. Copyright: iCompete.
US Grappling returns to Kerr Vance Academy on Saturday, July 24, 2010 for Grapplemania NC! This event will have divisions for adults, 30+ men, and juveniles. This is a single elimination Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission grappling tournament.
The first 50 pre-registered (and paid) competitors will receive a free T-shirt!
Saturday weigh ins will be held from 8 AM to 9:30 AM for anyone competing in no gi divisions, and will be extended to noon for any adults that will only be competing in the gi. All juvenile competitors must weigh in by 9:30 AM. Competitors do not need to wear the gi during weigh ins. Competitors can also register and weigh in Friday night. More information on Friday night weigh ins coming soon.
Juvenile divisions at US Grappling events now use the Madison Bracketing System. There will no longer be preset weight classes for juveniles. Using the Madison system means children and teens will be less likely to cut weight since they won’t know the weight classes in advance.
Kerr-Vance Academy
700 Vance Academy Rd
Henderson, NC 27537-8725 MAP
The FightWorks Podcast has long been a proponent for keeping ourselves and our jiu-jitsu academies clean. One of our very first episodes was an interview with the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, where we learned more about MRSA. So this week we received the following voicemail on our toll free number 877-247-4662 from New York and agreed that this would make a terrific poll:
What’s up Caleb and Dan? It’s Phil from Marcelo Garcia New York. Thank you for being the number one source of BJJ radio on the internet. I’m calling to suggest a poll for the BJJ community and listeners to vote on: how clean is the school you train at? For the Marcelo Garcia New York Jiu-Jitsu Academy, if it’s not one of the cleanest, it’s the cleanest BJJ academy in NYC. The more we train and learn jiu-jitsu the more we realize how important a clean environment is for us to be in. A clean environment, a healthy environment, a positive environment. It’ll be interesting to hear what the people have to say. Take care. Peace.
So let us know what you think in the poll and in the comments! Is your school clean? Could it use some improvement?
To date, Greg Chrins greatest accomplishment on the
wrestling mat is a first-place finish at the Christmas City
Holiday Tournament last year.
Now, though, his sights are set higher.
The Moravian Academy senior who competes for the Notre Dame
High School of Green Pond wrestling team is aiming for a
postseason championship of some sort.
Chrin is the No. 4 seed at 152 pounds for this
weekends District 11 Class AA wrestling tournament.
My goal for this season was always to win districts,
regions or states, he said. Some sort of
postseason title. Obviously, districts are the most
realistic. I want some kind of postseason championship.
I think its possible but only if I wrestle my
absolute best. The biggest thing for me is keeping my head
straight. I tend to work myself up way too much, then get
nervous and choke. That cant happen now.
A resident of Easton, Chrin is one of the top contenders in
a very solid 152-pound weight class. Bethlehem
Catholics Kyle Dehaut is the No. 1 seed, and returning
state medalist Craemer Hedash of Northern Lehigh is seeded
second.
Chrin, who is 28-5 this season, begins his quest for gold
with a first-round match against the winner of a preliminary
bout between Shaun Miller of Williams Valley and Pine
Groves Jacob Moore.
Todays Class AA action at Freedom High School starts
at 4 p.m., pending possible weather postponements.
Its a tough weight, Chrin said.
Almost everyone in the bracket is really good. Dehaut
and Hedash, theyre both definitely on my radar.
Chrin contemplated quitting wrestling -- he also plays
soccer and lacrosse at Moravian Academy -- during his
sophomore season. But Notre Dame coach Dennis Fenton
convinced Chrin into sticking out the year.
Fenton did not respond to repeated messages for comment.
Chrin went on to finish with a 29-14 record as a sophomore
and qualify for the PIAA Championships in Hershey, Pa.
I didnt see making states that season coming at
all, Chrin said. I remember going out to
Hershey. It was intimidating but a great experience.
Id love to make it back.
Because Moravian Academy does not offer wrestling as an
extracurricular activity, Chrin is part of an agreement
between Moravian Academy and Notre Dame that allows
student-athletes to cross over and compete for the
neighboring school.
It works out real well, he said. I really
like the wrestling program and coaches at Notre Dame. I
usually get to practice a little late because we get out at
3:15 and thats when they start practice. But its
no big deal.
The next couple of weeks are maybe the biggest of
Chrins athletic career, but he already has his
immediate future figured out.
He plans to major in mechanical engineering, minor in music
technology and wrestle at Stevens Institute of Technology in
Hoboken, N.J.
I guess I have a love-hate relationship with
wrestling, Chrin said. It wasnt too much
fun my freshman year when I wasnt winning. But the
winning part is pretty fun.
Chrin isnt the only Crusaders wrestler with a chance
of placing at the Class AA tournament.
Freshman Seever Hoyak is seeded seventh at 103 pounds;
sophomore Victor Embardino is eighth at 130; senior Alex
Lincoln is eighth at 140; and sophomore Jon Blank is third
at 160.
Michael Blouse can be reached at 800-360-3601 or
mblouse@express-times.com. Talk about sports in the region
at lehighvalleylive.com/forums.
After crushing previously No.1 Blair Academy Graham isn’t satisfied with a co-champion.
Amateur Wrestling News, the leader in High School wrestling polling currently lists both Apple Valley, MN and St. Paris Graham, OH as co-champions.
How can this happen? I hear you asking.
That’s exactly what Graham coach Jeff Jordan was saying after he discovered on Monday, Feb. 8, that the country’s most-respected national high school pollster ranked his team and Apple Valley as co-No. 1’s. Previous No. 1 Blair Academy dropped to third.
Apple Valley was previously No. 2 and Graham No. 3. However, Graham beat Blair convincingly, 36-21, in a head-to-head dual meet in St. Paris on Jan. 30.
“It’s strange; the pundits sent a big e-mail out that there can only be one No. 1 team, then two weeks later there is a tie,” said Jordan. “We’ve been ranked No. 2 in the country for three years in a row and Blair was No. 1. But this year, they put Apple Valley ahead of us at No. 2.
“But it is what it is.”
And, with Apple Valley never running into Blair or Graham during the season, it’ll likely end up that way. “They say if Apple Valley wins their state championship and we win state, we’ll end up tied,” said Jordan. “It sure would have been great if we could have met them head-to-head.”
We at HSWrestling.Net and TheWrestlingTalk.com say the two teams should meet the week after state, give each wrestler a 3 pound allowance above their state weight classes so it’s a much easier cut, and find out who the real champion is.
Dan Head has more than earned his place as a featured fighter. With an amateur record of 10-0, and a professional record of 9 wins (8 by submission; 1 KO) and 2 losses (both by decision), he has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the lightweight division. He has held several amateur titles, and is the current owner of the 170 pound championship belt for Colosseum Combat. The fact that both WFCC and egotournaments.com have lined up to sponsor him comes as no surprise to his teammates at the Indiana Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Greenwood, Indiana.