
Grafton, ND Native Rises to the Top of UFC
By: Jody Norstedt, WDAY Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) — The popularity of Mixed Martial Arts has taken off in the last decade, big crowds fill up sports bars to watch UFC fights every month. Tonight, we introduce you to a rising star from right here in the Red River Valley, who took the path from college basketball at Jamestown to the Octagon. Pablo Garza has taken the UFC world by storm, Through 2 UFC fights, he’s the first to get a knockout at the 145 pound weight class, and the first to pull off the flying triangle. His biggest...
read moreFeatherweights set for preliminary action on November 12
Author: E. Spencer Kyte Website: Heavy.com Saturday night, the UFC announced the third fight for the event that will mark their debut on the FOX network. Cub Swanson and Ricardo Lamas will meet in the second featherweight contests scheduled for the Anaheim, California event; a meeting between Dustin Poirier and Pablo Garza was announced shortly following the FOX deal last month. http://jpbam.com/flying-knee/Pablo-Garza KO-Fredson Paixao-with Flying-Knee.flv A Southern California native training out of Greg Jackson’s in Albuquerque, New...
read moreSubmission of the Year nominees: 2011 World MMA Awards
By Cheryl Ragsdale, Yahoo! Contributor Network Voting for the high profile, fourth annual World Mixed Martial Arts Awards show presented by “Fighters Only Magazine” started September 1st and will continue until November 25th. The distinctive silver MMA fighter awards will be presented to the winners on November 30, 2011. The black tie, red carpet event takes place at the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV. Mark Mullen applies an arm bar to Ernesto Martinez during the Open Tap Out Tournament at Camp Schwab’s Power Dome...
read moreGreg Nelson – Academy MN
Head Instructor/Owner Academy MN Rank: Black Belt Muay Thai 6th Degree & Black Belt Sauer/Gracie Jiu Jitsu 2nd Deg. Email: Greg@TheAcademyMN.com Coach Greg is available for tailor made Wrestling, MM A. BJJ, & Thai Boxing seminars/workshops world-wide. Please call or email The Academy for details (763)560-5696 or info@TheAcademyMN.com THERE IS LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR 2011 CONTACT SOON TO SECURE YOUR SEMINAR. Academy Head Coach Greg Nelson has his roots in athletic training and competition. Mr. Nelson is a former University of...
read moreCoach Erik Paulson
Starting with Judo in 1974, Paulson has trained in many disciplines including Freestyle and Greco-Roman Wrestling, Tae Kwon Do, Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali/Eskrima, Sambo (martial art), Catch Wrestling, Shoot wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, studying first with Rorion Gracie, Royce Gracie, Rickson Gracie in his garage in 1989. He has studied with 40 different teachers over his 30 years of training including Rick Faye, Greg Nelson, Yorinaga Nakamura, Larry Hartsell, Tim Tackett, Ajarn Chai Sirisute, Nic Saignac, Rob Kaman, Rigan...
read moreJess “Ferrari” Fuhriman
Height: 5’6” Weight: 135 Record: 6-4 I have been training mixed martial arts since 2005, started training as a hobby then decided to compete in a mixed martial arts fight and loved it. Since then I’ve competed in MMA and grappling tournaments all over the Midwest and I have had the privilege to train with the best fighters and martial artists in the Midwest from everyone at The Academy in Minnesota to the best martial artists right here in Fargo at the ACA. I enjoy training at the ACA because of the instructors, and the atmosphere,...
read moreJade “The Emerald” Pergande
Height: 6’ Weight: 170 Record: 6-4 I began fighting about 6 years ago after growing up watching the UFC and wondering what hobby I could do to push myself after I got out of the Marine Corps. I had quite a few fights when my career first started out. We would train basically out of books and videos, but since the ACA came to Fargo, my game and record have improved dramatically. It’s great having a real gym to train at and you can’t find the atmosphere that’s there anywhere else around here. The part that drives me the most to fight...
read moreChris “Crowbar” Tuchscherer
Height: 6’1” Weight: 260 Record: 16-4, 3-1 UFC Chris was born in Rugby, North Dakota. He wrestled, played football and ran track at Bowman High School in Bowman, North Dakota. He was a two-time North Dakota State high school wrestling champion (compiling a 125-7 record) in the Heavyweight division. Chris was a dominant collegiate wrestler. He wrestled for three years at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, and two years at Moorehead State University in Moorehead, Minnesota. He was a two-time NCAA Division II...
read moreBJ “Native Samurai” Johnson
Height: 6’1” Weight: 145 Record: 4-1 Originally from the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. Training out of Fargo since ’08. I had my 1st MMA bout in ’06, went pro in ’09. I fight because it feels so good. I train at the ACA because it is the most well rounded gym in the area with all the best fighters. I love just being in the mix of a good fight. I’ve been involved in Martial Arts since I was a kid and it’s just what’s natural to me. Favorite Fighter is Genki Sudo, he embodies what I want to be, a...
read moreChris “Crowbar” Tuchscherer
Height: 6’1” Weight: 260 Record: 16-4, 3-1 UFC Chris was born in Rugby, North Dakota. He wrestled, played football and ran track at Bowman High School in Bowman, North Dakota. He was a two-time North Dakota State high school wrestling champion (compiling a 125-7 record) in the Heavyweight division. Chris was a dominant collegiate wrestler. He wrestled for three years at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, and two years at Moorehead State University in Moorehead, Minnesota. He was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American...
read moreDylan Spicer
Head Jiu Jitsu and MMA coach, Dylan Spicer at the Academy of Combat Arts Fargo, ND.
read moreNick Wagner
My fighting career started with me taking an aerobics kickboxing college elective. With that experience I fought in a tough man competition and lost by split decision. I had no idea what I was doing, I had never been so tired, but I wanted to do it again. I ended up training and fighting in Chang Mai Thailand, I had two fights and lost them both. I came back home and fell into the local MMA scene. The Academy of Combat Arts opened up next to my house and I’ve had a winning record ever since. I fight because I enjoy training, and...
read moreKyle James Kudrna
Height: 5’6” Weight: 135 Record: 0-0 Accomplishments: IBJJF Las Vegas Open Silver Medalist 2011
read moreJoe Trottier
Joe Trottier is currently a senior at North Dakota State University where he is pursuing a degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Sports Psychology.
read moreWrestling
“CSW” is a combination of Shoot Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Filipino Dumog, Greco-Roman, Freestyle and Collegiate style wrestling, STX Kickboxing (Muay Thai and Savate cross training) and competitive training methodologies. Sensei Erik Paulson the founder of CSW is considered by many to be one of the most knowledgeable MMA trainers in the world when it comes to combing different aspects of fighting into an integrated game. Erik is the former undefeated Light Heavyweight Shooto Champion of Japan and veteran of many MMA...
read moreMuay Thai – Boxing
A class based on Thai boxing technique, pad drills and timing sparring as well as jump rope will be used in this class. We also offer Amateur boxing technique and instruction under the rules of the North Dakota Boxing Commission. This class would be based on technique, footwork, and other Western Boxing drills. This is for all ages over 12 and all skill levels.
read moreWomen’s Kickboxing
This class would be an invigorating and practical approach to self defense methods for women.
read moreKids Mixed Martial Arts
A class structured around kids self- defense methods. Games and drills would be used to teach proper body mechanics and keep them active and attentive. As well as promoting non-violent resolutions.
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