Jake “Dirty Bird” Brown vs. TJ “The Spider” O’Brien

Jake Brown

Strengths:  Knock out power in both hands, good wrestler, endurance
Keys to Victory:  Jake Brown will have to close the distance to land big punches on his feet.  If he takes the fight to the ground, he will need to immediately move to half guard or side control to deliver any damage.  It will be imperative that if he stays in the guard of O’Brien that he stays postured up and remains aware of O’Brien’s legs.

TJ O’Brien

Strengths:  MMA record holder for most wins via triangle choke, reach advantage, experience
Keys to Victory:  O’Brien should avoid getting into a slugging match with Brown.  Using his reach, he can effectively pick Brown apart with punches and kicks to try and force him to shoot for a takedown.  On the ground, O’Brien should avoid letting Brown get the distance needed in order to land big shots.  O’Brien will need to remain patient while he searches to lock up his patented triangle choke.

Since this bout is scheduled for five rounds, the advantage is with TJ O’Brien who will be searching for a submission as soon as the fight hits the mat.  O’Brien is very good at avoiding damage due to his lanky frame.  Using his long legs, he’s able to keep his opponent not only wrapped up, but he also has the ability to extend and keep them away.  Jake Brown will need to pick his shots wisely, but if he finds an opening he needs to take full advantage of it.  Brown is known for his heavy hands, and for good reason.  If he can remain in half guard or side control, he will be able to land the shots he needs to either out point O’Brien or win with strikes.

Styles make fights, and this one has the potential to be one of the most exciting bouts of the year.

Co-Main Event

Alonzo “Zo Diddy” Martinez vs. Paul “The Gingabread Man” Bird

Alonzo Martinez

Strengths:  Experience on big shows, aggressive, dangerous on the feet and ground
Keys to Victory:  Martinez will look to rely on his experiences in high profile fights.  He has a brutal ground and pound game and a big right hand.  He will, however, want to avoid getting into an exchange with Bird as this is where Bird is incredibly experienced.

Paul Bird

Strengths:  Lightning fast punches and kicks, good takedown and submission defense, performs well under pressure
Keys to Victory:  Bird will want to keep the fight standing where he is the strongest.  Although he has good submission defense, there is no need to spend anytime on his back taking shots from Martinez.  In the clinch, Bird will want to remain active and not let Martinez settle into his rhythm.

This is another high profile fight, and in my opinion, the winner could likely get thier shot in WEC or UFC.  Although this could put pressure on both fighters, Martinez has been in several of these bouts.  He has wins over three UFC vets and a five round draw with another.  Bird is extremely hungry, and he also has a recent first round stoppage over WEC and Pride veteran, Joe “The Triangular Strangular” Pearson.  He has flirted with the UFC already as a prelinary cast member of The Ulimate Fighter, so he will use this opportunity to try and catapault him back into their good graces and show the superbowl of mixed martial arts that he is deserving of a spot on their roster.  With both fighters possessing the ability to end the fight at any moment, I do not see this bout going the distance, but I do see this it as a highlight reel in the making.

Jason “Type One” Louck vs. Andy “Danger Zone” Branson

Jason Louck

Strengths: Former MCC Champion, experience with tough opponents, KO power in both hands Keys to Victory: When Louck has proven to be the strongest is right off the bat. I look for him to come out of his corner and go right after Branson. Louck has devastating punches and can end the fight with any one of them he lands.

Andy Branson

Strengths: Polished muay Thai skills, good submissions, relentless attacks Keys to Victory: Branson will want to avoid getting into a striking exchange with Louck as Louck has lighting fast, powerful punches. Branson would be better served using his punches to set up kicks and vice versa. Branson is a patient fighter who will look to land the right shot. If the fight goes to the ground, Branson has shown that he can submit his opponents from the top or the bottom, but I see him being strongest on his feet.

This fight will crown the number one contender to the MCC Welterweight title. Louck has tested the waters at 170 pounds before, and this is Branson’s first fight as a welterweight mixed martial artist. The fans at MCC 24 will get a show with this bout for sure. I would like to see this fight stay on the feet, but often times, when you have two good strikers, game plans change and take downs, dominant positions and submissions come into play when putting together the ultimate game plan.

Katy Klinefelter vs. Cassie Roddish

Katy Klinefelter

Strengths: Nationally ranked boxer, experience
Keys to Victory:  Katy will need to rely on her boxing experience to keep her relaxed and one move ahead of her opponent as Roddish will look to put pressure on her from the opening bell.  Klinefelter is well versed in the submission game as well, so she does not have to rely on her hands to get the job done.  Klinefelter will want to watch out for kicks and unorthodox strikes that Roddish will surely fire off when given the chance.

Cassie Roddish

Strengths:  Heart, durable, never gives up
Keys to Victory:  What Roddish lacks in experience she makes up for with heart and drive.  She needs to apply pressure early and work her clinch game with knees and elbows.  Klinefelter will, most likely, look to pick her apart from the outside range, so Roddish will need to keep her hands up, chin down, and be relentless with her attacks.  Although Roddish has not finished any fights by submission, she has another female in her camp that is a purple belt in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, so she is sure to be well versed in submission defense.

This could be a great fight as I do not look for either of them to shoot for a takedown.  We may see the classically trained boxer versus the muay Thai technician.  Although either could end the fight with a punch or a kick, I see both of them having the heart to tough it out for all three rounds.  I think at the end of the fight when the dust settles, these two may gain thousands of fans, a standing ovation, and possibly fight of the night honors.

“The Biggest Midwest Showdown Since Mickle vs. Stephens”

Several years ago, before they became two of the most popular fighters in the Midwest, Jeremy “Lil Heathen” Stephens and Chris “Mad Dog” Mickle put on one of the most epic four round battles in MMA history.  It ultimately ended when Stephens put Mickle to sleep with a highlight worthy spinning back fist.  Shortly thereafter, “Lil Heathen” received his invitation to the UFC and has been putting on highlight worthy performances ever since.

History will repeat itself at MCC 24: “Reloaded” as top prospect, Alonzo “Zo Diddy” Martinez has agreed to replace the injured Chris Mickle to face Paul “Gingabread Man” Bird.

MCC co-owner, John Halverson noted, “We had several options to look at when we found out Mickle was injured, but Paul and Zo made the most sense.  You have two fighters on the verge of breaking into the big show, and this is probably the one fight that is going to push them over the edge.”

Bird, who is a veteran of UFC’s popular television reality show, The Ultimate Fighter, is on a four fight win streak including a win over WEC and Pride veteran, Joe Pearson.  Although this fight could serve as his toughest opponent to date, Bird is looking forward to showing his improvement as a mixed martial artist against a veteran with several notable appearances under his belt.

Martinez, a veteran of Ring of Fire, HD Net, and ESPN’s Bellator, has notable wins over UFC veteran’s Brandon Melendez, Ryan Roberts, Luke Caudillo and a draw with former MCC champion and recent UFC signee, Joe Brammer, is excited for the opportunity to face a fellow up and comer like Bird.

“This is such a great match up,” stated, Halverson.  “This is the caliber of fight you’d see on a UFC prelim or Spike TV Ultimate Fight Night.  I’m sure after this fight one of these two is headed to the big league.”

Tickets for MCC 24: “Reloaded” are available on-line at www.MidwestCageChampionship.com, by phone at 515-229-8566, Iowa Events Center Box office, or at all Dahl’s ticket outlets.  Also on the card is a main event featuring TJ “The Spider” O’Brien and Jake “Dirty Bird” Brown as they battle it out for the vacant interim Lightweight Championship.

Fighter Stats:

Alonzo Martinez                                      Paul Bird

5′10                                                              5′9

155                                                               155

26-10                                                            8-1

Freestyle                                                      Vale Tudo

Wrestling Background                              Boxing Background

Paul Bird

Searching for Greatness, Paul Bird is Ready for War

By Randy Thomas

When you talk about someone who’s been there, done that, one fighter comes to mind- Paul “The Gingabread Man” Bird.  A native of Australia, who has began his career in boxing, traveled overseas to kick box, competed on a season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show, and put together an impressive 8-1 MMA record, Bird is constantly looking to get better and eventually make it to the bright lights and roaring crowd of the UFC.

As many mixed martial artists path start, a combat sport was not the basis for his athleticism.  Paul Bird was actually a soccer player.  He played soccer from the time he was four until he was seventeen.  He was selected to play on the USA Youth National Team and competed in the two largest tournaments in Europe.  It was not until he was nineteen years old when he had his first boxing lesson.  Bird recalls, “I always watched Mike Tyson when I was young and wanted to be a pro boxer, but my parents didn’t like the idea of me taking punches, so I started late.”

Then, like several other local fighters such as Josh Neer, John Halverson, and Jeremy Stephens, he stepped in the ring for the first time at Toad Holller- an amateur boxing and MMA venue from years ago.  He took a few amateur fights, both boxing and kickboxing.  Looking for improvement, he took a trip to Thailand with a friend.  Although he was not planning on fighting, he lost his wallet and needed to make some money.  So, he signed on to get in the ring with a local Thai fighter.  Although he lost the battle, it was at that point he knew he wanted to be a fighter.  Oh….and he found his wallet the day of the fight!

This is where mixed martial arts became a part of Paul’s life.

After training with a handful of local fighters at Des Moines Mixed Martial Arts Academy, it was apparent that “The Gingabread Man” had the tools to get in the cage and perform.  With lightning fast punches and kicks, he was a walking highlight reel just waiting to unleash.  Paul entered MCC and starting tearing through the competition.  Even if he was coming from behind, Bird was always looking to end the fight quickly and violently.  Eventually he made his way to a title shot.

With just a handful of fights on his resume, Bird faced MCC Lightweight Champion, Bryce Teager.  Although it was the first time he would taste defeat, Bird did not let that sidetrack him.  He trained harder and more intense.  He still had his sights on the UFC, and months later his opportunity arrived.

Bird was one of the few selected to compete on season eight of the highly popular UFC reality series, “The Ultimate Fighter- USA vs. UK.”  When he arrived he was greeted and almost immediately matched up to fight.  Unfortunately for Bird, he was pitted against one of the best fighters on the show.  Bird did not let that affect him mentally.  He strapped on the gloves and went in and gave it everything he had.  He was honored to be selected and knew that if he performed, his life could be changed forever.

He lost.

Bird said, “This is the fight that really haunts me because I wasn’t ready for the fight. I didn’t think they were going to pick me and I wasn’t training like I should have. I was also very sick going into this match.  And, not to take anything away from Richie Whitson who is an unbelievable fighter, but I wasn’t even close to showing my true self.”

He came back strong and racked up a few more wins including a first round victory over WEC and Pride vet, Joe Pearson.  At MCC 24 “Reloaded,” Bird will face another WEC veteran and former MCC champion, Chris “Mad Dog” Mickle.

Bird has switched up his training.  He’s become more focused as an athlete.  He knows as the competition gets better, just being tough is not enough.  You have to train you body and mind like never before.  To be a champion you have to train like a champion.  Bird has sought out the help of Spartan Strength owner, Nick Rouse to conduct his conditioning sessions.  He stated, “The switch was done to be a stronger more conditioned explosive athlete. Chris is a pressure fighter and I have show a high level performance to beat him. I can only get this at Spartan Strength.”

He knows he could be in for a long night when he battles Mickle, but he’s looking to end it early.  “Chris is someone who is a true fighter and has a warriors heart, but I don’t think his experience is going to be a major factor in this fight. Even though I don’t have as much experience as him I’ve been training for a long time.  I’m not thinking about who he’s fought. He’s never fought anyone like me,” Bird noted.  He ended with, “My plan is to hit him with that blunt force trauma, full power strikes and wrestling for fifteen minutes, every time he enters my personal space …bing bong bing!”

Show / Hide Results

Welter Weight Division
Zach Ewing	VS	Travis Tovrea
Welter Weight Division
Brad Thompson	VS	Colby Karaidos
Light Heavy Weight Division
Heath Johnson	VS	Jesse Lund
Welter Weight Division
Dustin Daprizio	VS	Ronnie Britt
Light Weight Division
Chris Perez	VS	TJ O’Brien
Light Heavy Weight Division
Rakeem Hedrington	VS	Josh Christenson
Light Weight Division
Jesse Swanson	VS	Matt Cook
Middle Weight Division
Zak Cummings	VS	Danny Anderson
Heavy Weight Division
Brett Inglebritson	VS	Mike Ciesnolevicz
Light Weight Championship
Bryce Teager	VS	Paul Bird