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.

Jake Brown

Focused and Ready, Jake Brown will Never Give Up

By Randy Thomas

Often times, diverse circumstances lure fighters into the sport of mixed martial arts.  For MCC lightweight contender, Jake “Dirty Bird” Brown, it took heartache and loss to push him towards finding MMA in his life by releasing his aggression in the cage.

In the Summer that Brown graduated from high school, his mother lost a two year battle to colon cancer.  Three years later, his youngest sister, Kaydie was lost in an accident.  During this time his life became overwhelming and he saw himself starting to lose control.  “My life was in a tailspin from 18-21.  At that point I decided I wanted to put myself in a position where I could be a voice of influence to younger people, but I wasn’t sure how.  When I was 22 I found mixed martial arts, which probably saved my life on many levels,” stated Brown.

Coming from a wrestling family, which included sixteen children, Brown, who started wrestling at just three years old, wanted to do something productive with the lessons he’d learned throughout his life.  Brown wrestled for Nodaway Valley and the team finished his senior year undefeated.  The competitive fire never left him when his wrestling career ended.

“Dirty Bird” entered the world of mixed martial arts with two quick victories on a small fight circuit in rural Iowa.  It was there where he met Lance Hood, a veteran of the sport who had retired from competition and focused on training up and coming fighters.  He also met MCC favorites, Jesse Lund and Josh “The Bull” Christensen.

Undefeated, following one more quick knock out victory in Waterloo, he was approached by the MCC matchmaker.  Brown recalled, “I was offered a fight against John “The Hurricane” Halverson.   I took the fight on short notice and lost very quickly!  I was out matched at that point of my career and lacked the knowledge to compete at that level.

Following his first defeat he managed to rack up two more losses by triangle choke.  The previously undefeated fighter found himself with a three and three record.  With doubt on his mind he wondered if this was the right sport for him.

However, when opportunity came knocking at the door, once again, Brown answered.  Ryan Langmaid pulled out of his fight with Jake Brown, following making weight for his bout. Aaron Garrett, who was an outstanding 4-0 jiu-jitsu fighter, stepped in on day of notice with complete confidence.  Brown won the fight in the very first round.  It was just the win he needed to keep him motivated.

But soon thereafter, Team Hood closed its doors which forced Brown to stop training completely.  It seemed as though the end of his career had come.

On a whim, he decided to take a fight against MCC contender, Paul Bird.  He wanted to get back into the sport he missed so much.   With no training camp or banner to fight under, all he managed to do was make a fight of it for a few minutes.  When Bird snatched up an arm bar, it was over.

At that show he got to meet and talk with former MCC Featherweight Champion, Will Shutt.  Shutt had moved back from Oregon and was training in Creston with a small group of fighters.  Brown needed the knowledge that Shutt possessed, and even on the night of defeat, he saw light at the end of the tunnel.

He started training every day with Shutt. He soaked up everything he could.  He focused on his ground game.  Brown was not giving up his dream. The group formed Team Vicious, and set up camp at Henry Tae Kwon Do.  They housed a small but very talented stable of fighters.

Brown’s next fight was against Steve “Black Jesus” Lawrence.  In what became the fight of the night, from bell to bell it was a three round back and forth battle.  The skills he had learned in his short time with Shutt paid off.  He was able to submit Lawrence with a shoulder lock at the final seconds of the third round to end the fight.  Although this was his most impressive performance to date, Brown broke his hand, which sidelined him once again.

And when he came back, he came with a vengeance.  He faced former boxer, Colby Karaidos, and ended the fight with a highlight worthy 24 second knock out.

Next on the list was Jeff Carstens, a fighter who had submitted him with a triangle choke in their first meeting. After surviving an extremely hard uppercut to the chin, Brown was able to return the favor. He was able to catch him in a guillotine choke to end the fight.  Now he was on a roll.

Just a few months later, he signed on to fight highly regarded prospect, Alex Harper.  Once again, Brown was back in the win column, with another knock out in the first round following an exciting back and fourth battle.

Now…  He is set to take on the former MCC Featherweight Champion, TJ “The Spider” O’Brien, at MCC 24.  With the motivation of his past life experiences, and the championship belt he’s had his eyes set on for three years, Brown is intent on making this opportunity pay off.  He is aware of the devastating triangle choke that O’Brien is known for.  He knows that O’Brien has a huge reach advantage over him.  It doesn’t matter to him.  He feels that it’s his time, and in the words of “Dirty Bird” himself, “If he wants the belt, he’s going to have to come take it….by force!”

TJ O'Brien

On His Way Back to the Top; Getting to Know TJ O’Brien
 
TJ “The Spider” O’Brien is no stranger to holding the MCC Championship title.  The former featherweight belt holder will face off against Jake “Dirty Bird” Brown at MCC 24 “Reloaded”, although he will move up one weight class to the 155 lb. division, in hopes to capture the vacant Interim Lightweight belt.  A quiet competitor who does all of his talking inside the cage, we recently caught up with “The Spider” to get to know him in and out of the fight game.
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MCC; How old are you?
 
TJ: I am 22 years old
 
MCC:  What sports have you played leading up to MMA?
 
TJ: I’ve played football, basketball, soccer, plus I ran track and cross country.  I was most successful at track and competed three years in the Iowa State track meet.
 
MCC: What high school are you from?
 
TJ:  I graduated from Martensdale-Saint Mary’s.  It’s a fairly small school.  In fact, I think we has a grdtuating class of 45 people.
MCC:  At what age did you get turned on to MMA?
 
TJ:  I was 17 years old, and I started training when I was 18.

MCC:  Where did you first start training at?
 
TJ: Basically,  I started training with friends.  (He jokingly added: mainly when we were drunk)  We would have submission wrestling matches and boxing matches almost every weekend.  When I became more serious about training, I worked my stand up at Westside Boxing Club and did my jiu jitsu with Greg Ferry.  After about six months I ran into Chuck Grigsby at the YMCA, and he said I could come check out his gym; Team Revolution.  It was great because I went from training once a week with the same people, to rolling every night with different body types and skill levels.  After I left Team Revolution my best friend from high school Alex Harper and I started training together at Aspen and in Simpson College’s wrestling room.  Around the beginning of this year I realized I needed to get back to a real camp where I would have people to push me and I though Roundkick would be a great fit, and it has been so far.  I also still work out with Mike Miller a couple days of the week in the wrestling room at my old high school.
 
MCC: Explain your first fight, and your thoughts were going into it. 
 
TJ: My neighbor had pulled out of a fight and asked if I could fill in for him.  I took the fight on six hours notice and drove to Boone. I  had never even been to a live MMA show, so I had no idea what to expect.  The guy I was fighting was a home town guy with a skin head and tattoos all over his body.  I was scared, but I was able to get out there and knock the guy out in about 20 seconds with some knees and punches.  I was hooked immediately.
 
MCC:  Are you still nervous when you fight?  What are your thoughts going into each fight now?  
 
TJ: Each fight is different. Sometimes I’m nervous and sometimes I get nervous because I’m not nervous, and I always think there is more I could have done to get ready for the fight.
 

MCC:  You have an impressive record with only a couple losses.  Explain why you feel you have those losses, and what they did for you in training and as a fighter.
 
TJ:  My first two losses were to Erik Koch and Allen Hernandez>  It was pretty early in my career, and back then I was training maybe three times a week and not training with the quality of partners I should have been.  The Koch fight I thought I unstoppable because I was submitting everyone I rolled with and didn’t think there was anyway I could get submitted. Erik proved me wrong and my arm is still messed up from the arm bar he tapped me with.  Then, I completely underestimated Hernandez and thought my athletic ability would be enough to beat him.  But, he is a very athletic and looking back that is one fight I don’t think I had much of a chance in.  My most recent loss was to WEC vet Chris Mickle.  All I can say about that fight is I didn’t stick to the game plan and became too impatient.  This is something I have been working on.
 
MCC: What is your current training schedule now?
 
TJ:  I train about every day of the week.  I lift weights more than most fighters I know, and that takes about a hour and a half a day.  I also do a lot of kettle bell training, tire throws, wheel barrel pushes, sledge hammer drills and all kinds of crazy stuff.  I usually do about a hour and half of rolling or stand up drills a day.  I’m doing everything I can to become a well rounded mixed martial artist.
 
MCC:  Do you have a game plan going into each fight, or do you train and fight the same for each fight?
 
TJ: I always have a game plan and love it when I get video of my opponent so I can break them down and come up with a game plan.  A lot of thought goes into the fight before training camp even starts.
 
MCC: You are a former champion in the featherweight division. Why have you flexed back and forth from 145 to 155? Do you plan to go back to 145?

TJ:  Oddly enough, I feel I’m a little to small for the 155 division and I’m a little to big for the 145 division.  It puts me in a weird spot.  Therefore, I bounce back and forth depending on the opponent.  For me to make 145 I have to loose fat (which I don’t have much of) and a lot of muscle.
MCC: Most people think your triangle is your strength. Do you agree? If so, what do you feel are your other strengths? 
 
TJ: I think it is what sets me apart from a lot of people.  I do a lot of leg lifts, plus I have really long legs and some good setups, so it is my go to move. Even though people know it’s coming, they have a hard time avoiding it. My whole jiu jitsu game is pretty tight, and the last couple months I have really been working my top game and takedowns.  Most people assume that because my jiu jitsu is good that I have weak stand up, but that’s not the case at all.  Plus, I have a 77.5 reach and I hit pretty hard, so I’ve been told.
 
MCC: What do you do for your free time?
 
TJ: Free time?I really don’t have much free time, but when I get the chance I like to watch TV and party.
 
MCC:  You like to party, huh?  So, does that become a distraction while training or leading up to your fights? 
 
TJ: Drinking and partying…most people that know me know what my distractions are.  But, I don’t have a girlfriend or family like a lot of the fighters around  here so luckily, I have plenty of time to train.
 
MCC: What’s your ideal goals for 2010?
 
TJ:  That’s easy- to keep my win streak going and make the big show (UFC/WEC)  I’m tied with Evan Tanner for second most wins by triangle submission, so I would like to pass him on that list in 2010.  That would be a huge milestone in my career.
 
MCC: Who would you like to thank for getting you are where you are today?

TJ: I have to thank all of my training partners that I’ve had and all the people that drove me around the last year to practice when I did not have a license.  Also I want to thank all my fans and MMA fans in general that support local shows, without them I couldn’t do what I love to do.

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

Des Moines, IA- December 15, 2008- Fast on the heels of their previous event, and perhaps the best MMA event in Iowa during 2008, Midwest Cage Championship (MCC) returns to the historic Val Air Ballroom on Friday, January 16 with MCC 18: O’ Brien vs. Mickle. Quickly becoming known as an unstoppable submission wizard, MCC Champion TJ O’Brien is matched against Iowa icon Chris Mickle during the nights main event and title fight.

Mickle is not only a veteran of the Iraq war, he has also logged multiple fights against UFC “Knockout of the Night” main man Jeremy Stephens, even taking home one victory. This time, with two tours of duty, Army combative experience, and a recent 25 second arm bar victory to his credit, Mickle is purely focused on adding the MCC title belt to the awards he’s earned as a member of the U.S. Army. TJ O’ Brien has proved one of the most versatile fighters in the Midwest, competing at both 145 and 155 pound weight classes. This time, Mickle makes the moves down a weight class to compete at 145 for the Featherweight title. Predictions of the outcome run wildly in a fight one expert termed “the old guard meets the new guard”.

Another greatly anticipated match-up pits Omaha’s Matt Delanoit with Team Hard Drive 9 wins, 1 loss gunner Steve Carl. This match, Carl’s first for MCC, will determine who goes on to face Bobby Voelker for the MCC Welterweight title belt. Delanoit is coming off a victory against Carl’s Team Hard Drive mate Tom Grubb, and Carl took this fight with much of the purpose to avenge his opponents win over his friend and teammate. Delanoit is well known and respected with MCC and in th Midwest. Carl has just signed a major management contract with a national company and has competed around the country.

Another one of the nights favorites among the ten total bouts comes via the rematch of Mike “Mini Van” Van Meer and Jason Louck. Many established fight fans will recall Van Meer taking the MCC belt from Louck. in 2006, and new fans will witness a throw down between two fighters with the some of the most heart in the fight game.

Tickets for MCC 18: O’Brien vs. Mickle will go on sale later this week. Tickets can be purchased at the Val Air Box Office, by phone at (515) 223-6152, and on-line at http://www.midwestcagechampionship.com

Friday, January 16th, 2009 @ Val Air Ballroom

Show / Hide Results

Light Weight Division
Daraughn Canada	VS	Chad Zurfluh
Feather Weight Division
Randy Knutsen	VS	Joe Trader
Light Weight Division
Chris Perez	VS	Tony Helm
Welter Weight Division
Carlos Newborn	VS	Miguel Rios
Feather Weight Division
Tom Ahrens	VS	Will Shutt
Light Weight Division
Colby Karadios	VS	Jake Brown
Middle Weight Division
Evan Marks	VS	Ronnie Britt
Middle Weight Division
Jason Louck	VS	Mike Van Meer
Welter Weight #1 Contender
Steve Carl	VS	Matt Delanoit
Feather Weight Championship
Chris Mickle	VS	TJ O’Brien