Way OT: I won!

[Reeferhead]

I know this is even remotely the right forum for this but I'm so excited about it I just have to tell everyone I know. This win was more rewarding than any of my other fights, even though I had to fight my own teammate in the finals Man, he got some good shots in!


Illinois National Guard Combatives Team Takes 2nd at the Ft Knox Open Combatives Tournament!þ

The Illinois National Guard Combatives Team performed well above all expectations placing 2nd overall, beat out only by Team Ft. Benning. Due to several unpreventable last minute issues the team traveled down to Ft. Knox with only nine members, five soldiers short of a full roster. However, the team made the best of its limited resources advancing seven soldiers into the semifinals (“Pancrase” style rules) and six into the finals (MMA rules) which took place in a cage. Five Illinois National Guard soldiers placed in the Tournament:


1st Place (Welterweight): SSG Nicholas Grant, A-2/130 INF (West Frankfort)

2nd Place (Welterweight): SPC Adam Therruault, A Co 33rd BSTB (Marseilles)

2nd Place (Flyweight): PFC Christopher Higgerson, A-2/130 INF (West Frankfort)

3rd Place (Middleweight): CPT Justin Towell, 33rd Military Police (Bloomington)

3rd Place (Heavyweight): SSG John Shaw, 933rd Military Police (Waukegan)



Keep and eye out for a full article with more pictures in the near future. Please forward this email to anyone you know who maybe interested. If you or someone you know has Combatives, MMA, or grapping experience and is interested in becoming a possible alternate for the team please contact SSG Grant at: ngrant80@hotmail.com

 

[Dert42]

nice! way to go!

 

[latazyo]

good job

remind me never to **** you off

 

[mpcart]

Congrats, Nick!

-Mike

 

[Reeferhead]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11215921#post11215921 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by latazyo
good job

remind me never to **** you off

LOL, that's a very difficult thing to due. Most of my friends can't believe I compete in this sport.

 

[SSTG]

Congrats nick!

 

[Nanook]

Congrats:beer:

 

[chadscamaro]

Nick, very cool. So will we be seeing you on pay per view soon ?

 

[Reeferhead]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11217457#post11217457 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chadscamaro
Nick, very cool. So will we be seeing you on pay per view soon ?

Not unless I decide to send in a audition tape to "The Ultimate Fighter" but keep an eye out on the Military Channel if you get it. They are starting to play a lot of these tournaments. In December they're airing a hour long special covering the All-Army Combatives Tournament which was held last Month. I didn't make it to the finals during that one but cornered a buddy who did. I also did a bunch of interviews after some of my submission grappling wins.

I actually more proud of our team, three of my teammates had their first MMA Fights Saturday. It was a rush trying to corner everyone and get ready for my own fight.

 

[nano7joy]

Looks like every one did well. I see a few dings on a couple of guys but no dents.

Congrats,

JJ

 

[latazyo]

its awesome that you're giving yourself the "this guy" point in the photo

 

[paulamrein]

I have 20 years of kung-fu under my belt.I'm 6'3" 225lbs and I wouldn't even want to get in the ring with most of these boys. I haven't always liked MMA but I have always resepected it. way to go!!

 

[Reeferhead]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11220195#post11220195 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by paulamrein
I have 20 years of kung-fu under my belt.I'm 6'3" 225lbs and I wouldn't even want to get in the ring with most of these boys. I haven't always liked MMA but I have always resepected it. way to go!!

I started taking Tae Kwon Do when I was 12 but saw the first UFC when I was 14. It changed my view on the "reality" of fighting forever. I kept doing TKD because there really weren't any other options available but all through high school a couple of my buddies and I would get together and try and emulate the stuff we saw. We would basically beat the **** out of each other, it was great. I even went out for wrestling my senior year just to get some sort of grappling experience.

Once I came off active duty in 2000 and started going to school I found the SIU Martial Arts Club and was introduced to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Sambo, and Muay Thai Kickboxing, another life changing moment, I've been hooked ever since.

I've trained with several different gyms in the past few years both local and in the various states I've traveled to for work, oddly the fighters in MMA community are some of the nicest people you'll meet, kinda like here . I currently train BJJ with a Vaghi brown belt in O'Fallon and MMA at the War Room in Wood River. My MMA record now stands at 5-1. I'll be teaching a civilian version of the Army's Combatives Program at the War Room starting in February if you know anyone who is interested.

 

[paulamrein]

Wing chun is an entirely different animal than what you do, we work mostly off center line and prefer to stay on our feet. It's way too formal in my opinion, MMA was a necessary evil. Once the Gracie boys came into play, it wasn't long before the martial arts world had to adapt. But, only because I am bias, the true beauty of martial arts is found more in the conventional styles.