2012-08-21
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First Steps On A Long Road

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Las Vegas
08-14-2012

As of late the sport of MMA is growing rapidly. Huge TV deals have been made and we get a chance to practically see MMA competion every week. Ofcourse, the premier organisations (those under the Zuffa banner, Bellator) have the bigger names both fighterwise and managerwise. In most cases, fighters have to take first, small steps before entering such premier organisations. These small steps are taken in the smaller organisations; to build up experience, to gather money from fighters, look for a sponsor and so on. It's a long road with many bumps, but some do make it to the top. Two fighters from manager Pandu Prime are making their first steps on this long road and this article will focus on their start and experiences fighting for a living. It's to shine some light on the less familiar MMA competitiors and organisations, an aspect of MMA that sometimes get overlooked. In the end, as I stated before, most fighters have to fight their way up trough the smaller organisations. One of this organisations is the QFC, where a lot of fighters and managers start their career. The following fights that are described take place in the QFC.

"Spartan" Gabriel Zhakatyz was the first fighter under contract with manager Pandu. Zhakatyz holds a blue belt in BJJ and is a mediocre striker. What he lacks in experience and skill he makes up for with a good sense for gameplanning and tactics, a big heart and he also picks things up fast in training. For the time being, Zhakatyz still trains at Cozad MMA, but he and his manager plan a move after his next upcoming fight. He is 1.92 cm long and a lean 205 pounds. 

Zhakatyz was the first for manager Pandu to obtain a fight and step into the cage. He faced a fighter from manager Arndreas Hinkreich; Jeff Hardy. Jeff Hardy is 1.88 cm and has to cut down from about 215 pounds. Hardy, being a BJJ white belt, lost his first bout after his opponent locked in a quick submission and tapped him out. The blueprint had been made. The fight started off surprising, with Hardy imedietly shooting in for a takedown. Zhakatyz went down hard but managed to keep guard and keep Hardy in a neutralized position. A triangle from Zhakatyz fails, but provided the opportunity for a sweep. Once on top, Zhakatyz moves to side countrol and attempts a Kimura. Hardy manages to defend, but can not get up from the ground. Still in side control, Zhakatyz throws little strikes and at 2:19 of round 1 he manages to lock in the Amerikana and the tap from Hardy. That means Zhakatyz is off to a good start and now stands 1-0 with one win via submission. 

Jon "Texas Ranger" Marshall is the second fighter under contract with manager Pandu Prime. He is 1.89cm long, 240 pounds and only 22 years old. Marshall is a competent boxer and wrestler and supports an extensive amateur record in both sports. He also holds a blue belt in BJJ and is supposed to have a great chin. Marshall recently moved from Corzad MMA to Soul Supremacy Elite gym. 

Marshall's first opponent was 1-2 Jeremy Holka from manager Nyxon Miles. Holka is a competent boxer with a blue belt in BJJ. It was the wrestling that would make the difference in this fight, although not by as much as manager Pandu Prime had hoped for in advance. During the fight, Marshall was able to score 12 takedowns versus 0 for Holka. Marshall also managed to control the position better and for a longer period, also threatening with submissions and strikes. Holka also threatened with submissions, but mainly from the bottom. After three rounds the judges scored it an unanimous decision for Marshall (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Marshall talked to a reporter after the fight and admitted he thought he won rounds 1 and 3, but he thought round 2 was too close to call. So after Gabriel Zhakatyz, Jon Marshall is also off to a good start (1-0). 

After the first fights, Pandu managed to come into contact with Chuck Grace from Grace Grappling Gear and landed a very nice month long sponserdeal for his fighters. Pandu Prime was quoted saying he is very happy with the new sponsor and the income of dollars. Grace Grappling Gear decided to not only take Zhakatyz and Marshall under contract but also the other two fighters under Pandu's management. The fighters under his management sponsored by Grace Grappling Gear are:

"Spartan" Gabriel Zhakatyz Jon "Texas Ranger" Marshall Solomon Holland Jon "Highlander" Murphy

So, concluding I can say that these fighters made their first steps on a long road ahead of them, perhaps even to championship gold. All fighters ranked above have fights coming up soon. It will be interesting to see how it progresses from here on and i'm eager to see how it pans out.

I hope you people enjoyed the read. And for all the other managers just starting out there, or long time veterans for that matter, good luck! 

Written by P.P.

 

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