Jesse Lund

The countdown has now started. It has become crunch time and stepping my training up to the next level is now priority number one.

The second fight of my current win streak proved to be one of the toughest fights of my career. It was against Justin Guthrie, who had been fighting at 185 and stepped up to 205 to challenge me. I had watched him in the past really enjoyed watching him fight. He is a very strong and determined fighter. The first round he pretty much dominated me. I was taken down early in the fight, battled off some good ground n pound from him and threw a few submission attempts at him that all failed. At the end of the round I managed to gain control as the bell rang. I remember asking, Chuck Grigsby, if I won the round and he of course said, “ya you got em,” but i knew I lost it. The second round we decided to stand and bang with me getting the best of him. I landed everything that I threw at him and could not figure out why he was still standing! My legs were burning, my hands would not stay up, and I ended up back on the canvas with him on top. After eating some more punches I regained control and finished the fight with some brutal ground n pound of my own. The doctor actually stopped the fight due to the cuts and bleeding. I have never been so happy to know the fight was over. My body was shutting down and I didn’t have a third round in me. I learned the hard way about not having cardio for a fight, it would never happen again.

The next fight was a quick sub, against a kid who was clearly not ready for this level of the game. After really working my cardio I would pair up against Heath Johnson. This would be another good battle. I had also seen a few of his fights and knew he was no pushover. His wrestling was top notch and I knew I would spend time fighting off my back again. As it played out, I threw a punch and he shot in. I tried to defend it, and ended up on my back. He pinned me against the cage and worked his ground n pound. I managed to control him pretty good, taking little damage. One punch really got me good and I realized I needed to be careful. I threw high guard on him and he reacted like he did not like it. I started to work a sub but the first round came to an end. I knew I was behind on the card, but felt really good. Round two he shot again and I defended it, ending up on top in a half assed arm bar that failed. It gave him my back and he went for a rear naked choke. With only one hook in, it gave me the opportunity to spin out and end up planting a choke of my own that finished the fight. I felt like I could have gone five rounds that night.

Training the last couple of weeks is starting to pay off. I have a long ways to go, but I will be in top form for the title fight. I may even let you have a “sneak peak” at what I go through!!!   Until then, I’ll keep training, you keep watching, keep cheering, as I strive to put on one of the best shows yet.
 
Jesse Lund           
 
“Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.” – Muhammad Ali

Jesse Lund

As another week goes by, I always wonder if I am doing everything I can do to prepare for the next event. There is always room for improvement, but not always time to apply myself the way I think I need to. 

Coming back from a two fight loosing streak was next on the agenda. The first win came by taking a fight on a days notice. Not the smartest thing in the world to do when you are on vacation and have not stepped in the gym for about a month! I would fill in for “Bull” who opted to take the title fight against Grigsby. This is the only fight that I felt I dominated from start to finish, and would put the fire back in my eyes to move forward in the sports.

Picking up the pace in my training for the next few fights would really pay off.  I bounced from gym to gym, house to house, and a dance studio. I had sessions at TJ O’Brien’s house to flip, throw, and sledge hammer tractor tires, kettle bell workouts, and sprints. Then we would switch it up the next week to my wife’s dance studio where we would do the same workouts, and then spar and grapple until we could not move. This training helped me to win the Warrior Spirit Award in two of my next three fights.

Fitting training in with a full time job, three children, and making time for my wife has been a challenge. Teresa works evenings so I have the runts all night. The goal is to get off work by five, hopefully have a sitter lined up, and get to practice. Then when I get home, spend the rest of the night with the family, get the kids in bed and finally have about an hour of time with Teresa to catch up on the day’s activities, if I don’t crash on the couch first! Does that work everyday? No. I could write a book on why it doesn’t but it’s just called life. I have the utmost respect for my family and what I put them through when I train.

My last loss has now been over two years ago. I have won all six of my last fights on the way to my title fight. I think it is well deserved. I plan on taking home the belt and hanging it in my son’s room. I guess until then, back to the gym. Don’t forget to check back in next week!!!!!!!!
 
Jesse Lund 
 
 
            “Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.” – Muhammad Ali

Jesse Lund

I am now 6 weeks out from the fight and things are starting to take off well, so back to where I left off last week. Healed and ready to go, my first fight was on. It is really hard to explain what goes through a fighters mind the last few days, or hours, before the fight. As I stepped onto the cage I remember thinking “what the heck am I doing?” When the cage door closed it was the worst feeling I have ever experienced. I knew the only way out was through him, or the other way around. All training was out the door and I had forgotten anything about a game plan. As the fight progressed, things fell into place and I now had a taste of victory in the cage.

The next two fights would not go as good. I dropped 2 fights back to back and began to second guess if I really belonged in this sport. With the support of fellow training partner and best friend, Josh, and the support from my wife, I kept going.
Bull and I wrestled together for nodaway valley and were friends but not that close. After high school, we went our separate ways. In fact we did not talk for several years. I happened to run into Bull one night at the local YMCA while training for a fight. I found out he was also training but not looking to fight yet. We kept in touch the next few weeks and met up to start training together. I worked out great because I didn’t have anybody my size in the camp I was working out at. We have been training together since.
Keeping bodies consistent at a gym is a problem I have dealt with from the begining. While numbers dwindled off and I started improving, I looked for a tougher gym to train at. I found “The Reverend,” and started at Team Revolution after my next fight. I think this was one of the best decisions I ever made in regards to training. Chuck Grigsby welcomed me in and of course, put me through the “test.”  I survived the beatings along with the “revlocks” that would make a normal person never come back. Rev taught me a lot. I started over with my boxing and improved my submission game with the help of Chuck and Razak Al-Hassan.  Razak (Razor), really worked my kicks and clinch work.  Team Revolution became like a family to me, I looked up to everyone there and they helped me become the fighter I am today. I guess at heart, I still fight under Team Revolution.
After Team Revolution closed the doors I began training anywhere I could. I landed in Creston at Henry’s Tae Kwon Do.  Chuck, the owner, has a room in the back set up just for MMA training.  Well, more of a bust your ass, grappling, sparring, beat down. I also was introduced to Spartan Strength in Waukee, Team Round Kick, and a new gym in creston ran by Matt Fredrickson. Most of my training takes place at Spartan and Round Kick, and an occasional visit to Matt’s gym.    

 
Next week I week I will fill you in on a little about what I do for workouts, and how I balance training with a full time job, and trying to be the best dad and husband I can.
 

Jesse Lund
                       
            “Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.” – Muhammad Ali

Des Moines, IA- November 20, 2008-The much anticipated Light Heavyweight Championship showdown between champ Chuck “The Reverend” Grigsby and contender Travis “Ironman” Fulton has been changed due to injury. Fulton was forced to withdraw based on a knee injury sustained during training for the MCC bout. Fulton’s manager contacted MCC matchmakers Wednesday with immediate notice in order for MCC to secure a worthy opponent. ” These things happen” commented MCC co-owner John Halverson. “When you have athletes of the caliber, pushing themselves to the limit in order to perform for a big fight, injuries are a risk” Halverson concluded.

MCC matchmakers called upon their extensive resources and relationships to name a replacement within one day. “As Grigsby is a WEC vet, has been on national television, and is a local namesake, finding someone to step into the cage, and thus spotlight, becomes a bit easier. This fight becomes an immediate stepping stone for the replacement” commented MCC co-owner and matchmaker Ryan Hass.

Fulton’s replacement, Chad Vance, is a two time NCAA Division Three national wrestling champion and was also a member of Brock Lesnar’s training camp for UFC 91. Vance owns a 6-0 MMA record in addition to his world class wrestling accomplishments and is certain to put Grigsby, known for his incredible “sprawl and brawl” style, to the test.

The Grigsby vs. Vance bout is the main event for MCC 17: Thanksgiving Throwdown on Wednesday, November 26 at the Val Air Ballroom located in West Des Moines.

Full details can be found at http://www.midwestcagechampionship.com

Wednesday November 26th, 2008 @ Val Air Ballroom

Show / Hide Results

Heavy Weight Division
Todd Schmauss	VS	Josh “Hardcore” Henry
Welter Weight Division
Mike Miller	VS	Miguel Rios
Light Weight Division
Matt Williams	VS	Josh “Bobby” Henry
Feather Weight Division
Joe Trader	VS	Derek Wilkins
Welter Weight Division
Shane Mosby	VS	Ryan Langmaid
Light Heavy Weight Division
Heath Johnson	VS	Josh Christenson
Light Heavy Weight Division
Phil Dawes	VS	Jesse Lund
Light Weight Division
Will Shutt	VS	TJ O’Brien
Middle Weight Championship
Zak Cummings	VS	Cole Jennett
Light Heavy Weight Championship
Chad Vance	VS	Chuck Grigsby