Itia Tirado spars with his coach, Nate Rice, who wore protective gear that covered the chest and rib area. (TMP/M. Willard)
|
|
|
Members of the Nemesis School of Mixed Martial Arts spent Tuesday afternoon getting ready for fight night by working on training.
Itia Tirado was sparring with his coach, Nate Rice, who was wearing protective gear that covered the chest and rib area. However, the kicks were so hard and loud it felt and sounded like a baseball hitting a 100-mile-per-hour pitch off the bat.
When used correctly, the kicks usually land on the body; mostly the ribs or the legs and can do serious damage to those areas of the anatomy especially after a few kicks to the same area during a fight.
They can also be used to knockout an opponent if struck just right on the side of the head.
Tirado likes to call himself a “hybrid” fighter, in which he could end the fight in many different ways including knocking them out by striking with the feet, knees, elbows or punches or using the ground game to put a submission move and making his opponent tap out.
He will join several of his teammates from Nemesis Gym as part of the MMA fight card that will take place Saturday night at Hooptown USA in Smyrna.
Triado will face an opponent that he is very familiar with; they went to high and middle school together in Cookeville.
The 155-pounder with a 4-1 record faces Robert Weiker who is 4-2.
Triado remembers the relationship between being friendly but they hardly knew each other. At the same time, they were never any issues between the two.
He is expecting a lot of people to make the trip to watch these former classmates go at it.
“It will be interesting to fight him,” he said. “There will be a lot of people from Cookeville to watch us fight. Both of us are coming to fight and put on a show.”
Speaking of fighters that are familiar with each other, another member of Nemesis, Ronnie Lawrence has a rematch with John Curry.
Lawrence defeated him in the second round during their first fight, but it was fought under different rules.
However, Lawrence said he wanted a rematch this time under MMA rules and is expecting the same result.
“I will just end it quicker this time,” the 135-pounder who has a 4-1 record said.
Mike Bissett will be trading his boxing gloves, in which he has 58 fights under his belt; instead he will be stepping into the cage for the first time in his career in front of his hometown crowd.
“Whole bunch of people coming to see me fight, so I’m really nervous” Bissett, who is well-known for his boxing. “So many people are going to be there, because it’s my first one. A lot is riding on this fight.”
At the same time, Bissett added he is excited about getting in the cage and has dreamed of this moment.
The 190-pounder will face Brent Smith, who is 1-0.
Two other fighters at the gym are still waiting to see who they will be facing on Saturday. Riley Grinell said his opponent has changed three times, as of Tuesday the 135-pounder is scheduled to face Mark Nash.
However, Grinell said his preparation has remained the same, regardless of the opponent.
“I prepare the same for every fight,” Grinell said. “My gameplan does not change. I like to feel that I’m well-rounded.”
Wesley Sullivan is in a different situation; as of Tuesday he has no opponent yet. However, he is still ready to go on Saturday night.
“I’m more ready than ever,” the 13-4, 185 pounder said. “I have been doing so much cardio and sparring, I’m not even worried about who I’m fighting.”
Officials from Rival Cage Fights, who are the promoters of Saturday’s card said about 400 tickets, have been sold, and the arena can hold about 1,000.
They added they are expecting a sellout.
Tickets for the event are $20 and $30 dollars and VIP tables are available.
For more information, visit rivalcagefights.com, or the organization’s Facebook page.
Also the weigh-in for the card will be Friday night at Revolver, and an after-party will take place at the same location after the fights on Saturday.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. Saturday at Hooptown USA, which located at 6910 Stroop Lane in Smyrna. |
Email
Print
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo!