Joe Brammer Vs. Chris Mickle Run Down

Guest post by: Ronnie “The Warfrog” Britt

Brammer vs Mickle. Another big fight in the MCC looms close and I look forward to it like many of you do of course, but I also have some trepidation.  You see, the fighters involved are two friends of mine and this fight means a great deal to both of them.  Someone is going to win and possibly move on to bigger things, the loser will have to regroup and start all over again. I have trained with both of these guys extensively over the years, most recently to prepare for my final fight. Both Chris and Joe have been instrumental in making me a better fighter and I cant thank them enough for their dedication.  I love them both and have a tremendous amount of respect for them not only as fighters but also as friends. Come Sept 5th, I will be elated for one of them, heartbroken for the other. Given the nature of the sport, I have become somewhat accustomed to guys I know competing against each other. Heck, I too have fought guys I consider friends, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. I will be glad when its over, that’s for sure!

Joe Brammer used to train with the DMEF team quite a bit several years ago. He was one of the youngest guys that came to our gym, but he had a world of potential.  Not everyone endures brutal sparring sessions with seasoned tough guys…and then comes back the next day for more. Not only did Joe do that, he would go to other places to train as well. I marveled at this young kid and his humble manner and I still do. He soaked up any training advice we could give him or any techniques as well.  Joe hasn’t changed at all, he is still the same dude…just a hell of a lot tougher. Joe has traveled and trained at a variety of places and its paid off for him. He is one of the most well rounded fighters to compete for the MCC. His stand-up game is precise and accurate, he can kick and punch as well as anybody. Joe has heart and a great chin that complements that stand up game very well.  He trains with the Des Moines Jiu Jitsu Academy so you know his ground game is top notch. Fans of the local fight scene know Joe can go the distance and he can end it quick.

A few months after Joe moved on, Chris Mickle was introduced to the DMEF (Des Moines Extreme Fighting) team by Mike Van Meer and he has trained with us pretty much most of the time since then aside from is service with the military until recently.  Chris is a fighter at heart through and through, he was born to be a warrior.  I don’t know if I have ever seen anyone with as much determination and heart as Chris. What he lacks in precision, form and accuracy, he makes up for in volume, ferocity and intensity.  He is like one of those horror movie guys that just keeps coming after you, even when you think they are done. Right away I recognized Chris for the hard nosed kind of fighter he was, seldom do you see a guy with as little fear as him. He doesn’t care if he gets punched or kicked, in fact I think the little demented goof likes it. Most people will shy away from going toe to toe with someone, but Chris has a way of actually bringing that out of you while sparring and in fighting.  The next thing you know you are in a slugfest. But Chris is well rounded as well, his ground game is under appreciated. What Chris is known for is his stamina and granite chin, but I think he just stubbornly refuses to get tired or hurt. A big part of his success in reality is his strength and his skill set that he applies with it.

So how do I see the fight going? Probably not to different than many of you.  I don’t know if I can see either of them submitting the other, at least not right away. Maybe in the 4th or 5th round if one is rocked or tired perhaps, but I don’t think it will be a submission. I can say that while doing many rounds with these guys, they don’t usually look for a sub right away, they will both bang a bit.  Can either of these guys knock the other out? Most definitely. Joe has good, sneaky hooks that can make you see stars, Chris has punches that come from nowhere that makes the birdies tweet in your head. Also in the striking department, Joe also has tremendous head kicks, lord knows I have felt those on many of occasions. He will throw kicks in combinations and mixes them in very well. Chris can kick but it isn’t his forte, he will throw lots of punches with very bad intentions. I can see both guys coming out and taking their time till the first flush punch lands, and then it will be on!  Look for Chris to press Joe and look for Joe to use precision counter punching. Both guys are experienced and patient fighters, they will not rush into any mistakes.  Joe can be very hard to hit, he is very elusive. Chris can be very easy to hit, mainly cuz he likes that. This is probably going to be a huge factor, but you recall how I said that Chris has a way of turning it into a slugfest? Well, his head is right there and the temptation to punch him is too overwhelming (don’t try it if you meet him though). Both guys are as tough as they come, Chris has inhuman pain tolerance and Joe will have his hands full.  So who is going to be the winner?  Well, it’s you… the fans! See you guys at the cage.