congrats to Chris and Colten

Last Friday (Sept. 30th), two friends of mine stepped into the cage for the first time to test themselves. Both Chris Mitchell and Colten Smith have the guts to do what very few people have the guts for. While many people talk a good game, they actually did it.

Chris won his fight by ref stoppage at 2:19 of the first round. He dominated the stand up by using crazy monkey to defend and rocking his opponent with strong open palm strikes (amateur Arizona MMA rules prohibit closed fists to the face). He then went to the neck clinch and pounded the other guy with knees, including one that literally threw him across the cage. The doctor finally stopped it when the other guy was bleeding from a baseball sized lump on his eyebrow. He executed the game plan perfectly.

Colten lost a three round decision. He controlled the stand up part, but let the other guy drop his elevation a couple of times and get the takedown. He reversed out of every tough situation to the amazement and excitement of the crowd and was thinking tactically the entire time. The big problem was after the very hard fought first round, he was out of gas. The next two rounds he fought on sheer skill and heart, almost fininshing the fight with a guilloutine. I believe the difference to the judges was the three or so takedowns the other guy got. It was a terrific performance for his first time and a great learning experience. The next time he steps in the cage, his opponent better look out!

I helped coach both of them. I worked with them once or twice a week for about 6 weeks, but the two people most responsible were their regular coaches (and my training partners and friends) Mike Grandinetti and Lawrence Robinson, who run Attitude First Training Center. They did the bulk of the daily work to get the guys ready. I only had to stick my hand in every now and then. They both should get pats on the back for a great job as well.

Standing ovation to all four of them!