Andy Branson week 2 blog

Andy Branson

What’s up internet junkies,

I hope you all found where you packed away your snow shoes and thermal underwear cause I don’t know about you but I’ve been frozen solid for the past week.  The past 7 days have been nonstop for me, I graduated from the University of Iowa, started a new job, moved into my new house, and realized Nick Rouse has a sick sense of humor for making people so sore they can’t get out of bed in the morning.  I’ve finally settled into my training routine here in Des Moines and it begins at 5 a.m. when the temperature is somewhere below what mercury is capable of registering.  It’s at this brisk point in the day before the sun has risen that I head to Spartan Strength for a workout that can only be described as inhumane.  I finish up at around 6 then head to work for my exciting 8 hours working security at the 132nd Fighter Wing.  Once I’m off work I head to Des Moines MMA for grappling and stand-up practice and then back to home to put the kids to bed.  This week at Des Moines MMA I was lucky enough to enjoy the company of my close friends from Iowa City Katy and Emily Kleinfelter.  These girls are as tough as they come and I’m not going to name any names but I looked over a couple of times during sparring and saw the girls taking it to some of the guys.  I probably shouldn’t talk though because the first time I sparred with Katy last December she had my nose bleeding freely by the second round.  Katy is a professional boxer and undefeated MMA fighter who will be fighting with me on the card January 16th; I urge all of you to check out her fight because she puts on a show every time she steps in the cage.

Last Saturday my girlfriend and I met up with Elvis Mutapcic and his girlfriend at the Twisted Parrot to watch the UFC Penn Vs Sanchez fights.  There were a couple good fights on the card and just as I expected B.J. dominated in his title defense.  Afterwards we all went out the Uncle Bucks to hang out and watch Elvis enjoy himself partying.  Spending over 8 weeks prepping for a fight can be very stressful and Elvis was on a mission to enjoy himself after his recent win over Mike Van-Meer at MCC 23.  Elvis was definitely in party mode and his enjoyment of Bud Light was able to bring us this week’s top ten Elvis “The King” Mutapcic quotes.

10. I want to wear those little shorts some time, but I’m just too scared.
9. I’ll watch a chick flick, if it gets me some.
8. I bet I can ride that thing.
7. Ya bro, I’ll rock a wife beater at the club.
6. SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS.
5. I want to SEE you delete those pictures.
4. Back Streets back ALRIGHT.
3.Tiger Tiger Woods YALL.
2. I’ve seen the Twilight movies, their actually pretty good.  (followed up this week by- my eyes kept watering tonight trying to put in my contacts, it was like I was watching Twilight again)
1. Do you like my purse?

Our weekend of fun with Elvis provoked me to focus part of this week’s blog on the misconception most people have about fighters.  When most people see us in the middle of the fight we can come across as quite barbaric and brutal, but what is so intriguing about the sport of MMA is the stark contrast which you see when fighters leave the cage.  Most fighters I know are some of the softest spoken and kindest hearted people around.  Most are surprisingly bright also, the gyms I trained at in Iowa City had a CPA, a lawyer, multiple pre-med student,  pre-pharmacy students, business students and grads, a cardio thoracic surgeon, an oral surgeon, and one guy Named Jon that’s working on his doctorate in some crazy form of math I’ve never heard of.  The point of all of this is that it takes a lot focus and intelligence to become a truly well versed mixed martial artist.  Chuck Liddel was a CPA before he became the light heavyweight champion and Rich “Ace” Franklin was a school teacher before he won his belt.  I guess on that point I also don’t have much room to talk because as everyone who knows me is aware, I pretty much do whatever my girlfriend’s little boy Dane wants and her little girl Hayden, let’s just say she knows all too well how to work me for whatever her little heart desires.  I guess all I’m trying to get across is the other side of fighters, and hopefully next time you see us fight you will think about Elvis walking around sporting his girlfriend’s purse and not be hesitant to come up and say hi.

Well that’s all I can manage for today, besides I’m not nearly entertaining enough to hold your attention for any longer so I will just wish everyone a happy Chrismanhonakwonzika to keep it politically correct and hope everyone gets through the holidays safely and with only marginal weight gain from eating delicious milk and cookies.

Take Care,

Andy