Kettlebell Seminar was a huge success

Catherine Imes and Rob Handley

We had some excellent Kettlebell training with Catherine Imes, Master of Sport. She visited to give some instruction on kettlebells and fitness.

Day one - Kettlebell Fitness Trainer Certification

Catherine started on Friday, teaching the Kettlebell Fitness Protocol. I attended this course to obtain my certification but little did I know the extent and level of knowledge I would receive! We got a basic overview of the basic techniques included of which we were already to have a good understanding. Even in this basic instruction there were great pieces of information which will help me and those I train to be more efficient. Hand positioning, swing technique, the importance of building basic technique to develop more complex movements and breathing were a few of the items covered. We then moved on to the Fitness Protocol. Catherine explained the methodology and reasoning behind it as well as several types of example workouts. We recieved our Certifications and a great deal more then expected.

Day two and three - kettlebell enthusiast and fighter training

Fighters and kettlebell enthusiasts were present for these classes. We had a large variance in the level of experience in this group. Participants had from competition experience and a few years of training to never having touched a kettlebell before. Catherine taught at a level all could benefit and learn from. She went over basic techniques and made us practice each one with instruction for each which corrected flaws in our practice. She stressed the basics and proper technique which is exactly how we train for Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai. We did a mini workout to help identify rough spots and correct them. Catherine then held a question and answer session at the end of each day which allowed us to clear up any misunderstanding or difficulties.

Catherine is obviously a very knowledgeable coach and trainer. She was also very approachable and didn't hold information back. We are very fortunate to have her train us and will work hard to reap the benefits of this education.

-Pedro Sierra

Absolute MMA top Utah team again

On July 31st Team Absolute competed in the Utah Grappling Games. This tournament was by far one of our best showings ever. Everyone had a great time, and there were no lasting injuries from the tournament. Congratulations to everyone that participated, but extra kudos to Bentley Garner who placed 1^st in the invitation-only “Grappler Fight Show” division, and to Riley Peterson who was the Absolute Champion, taking 1^st place out of the entire Men’s Gi Division. Listed below are Team totals and individual placing:

Overall Top Teams- 1st place w/36 points
Top Adult Teams- 1st place w/31 points
Top Gi Teams- 1st place w/19 points
Top No-Gi Teams-1st place w/17 points

Champion Grappler Fight Show
Bentley Garner- 1st place w/4 points

Absolute/Division Champion-Men's Gi
Riley Peterson- 1st place w/4 points

Gi Divisions

Advanced Men's Gi

Feather/Light/welter: 0-169.9 lbs
Cameron Dansie-2nd place w/2 points

Middle/Cruiser: 170-199.9lbs
Michael "Stumper" Brown- 3rd place w/2 points

Men's Blue Belt

Fly/Feather: 0-149.9 lbs
Riley Peterson- 1st place w/2 points
Denver Merrifield-Nirva- 3rd place w/1 point

Light/Welter: 150-169.9
Chris Kennedy- 1sr place w/2 points

Men's White Belt

Light: 150-159.9 lbs
Nic Johnson- 2nd place w/1 point

Heavy/Open: 200+ lbs
Jared Fackrell- 3rd place w/1 point

Women Gi

Middle weight: 140-159.9 lbs
Chelsea Kilpack- 2nd place w/1 point

Beginner Junior Gi

Teen Divison: 2
Chase Lazar- 2nd place w/1 point
Teen Division: 3
Aaron Thomson- 1st place w/ 2 points

No Gi Divisions

Advanced Men's No Gi

Fly/Feather: 0-149.9lbs
Cameron Dansie- 2nd place w/2 points

Men Intermediate No Gi

Fly/Feather: 0-149.9 lbs
Denver Merrifield-Nirva- 1st place w/2 points

Middle/Cruiser: 170-199.9 lbs
Jeff Nelson- 1st place w/ 2 points

Men Beginner No Gi

Light: 150-159.9 lbs
Nic Johnson- 1st place w/2 points

Middle/Cruiser: 170-189.9 lbs
Jeff Nelson- 1st place w/2 points

Beginner Junior No Gi
Teen: Division 2
Aaron Thomson- 1st place w/2 points

Great Work!! Click here for more results

meet MMA Business Staff member Ron Benefield

Ron Benfield Joins MMA Business Staff

Richard Hendricks, publisher of MMA Business magazine, recently announced the addition of Ron Benfield as Advertising Sales Manager. Ron replaces former Sales Manager Todd Brehe, who stepped down for personal reasons. MMA Business is the premier business-to-business magazine serving the vibrant Mixed Marital Arts industry.

"We are sorry to see Todd go, he did a great job moving the magazine forward during our first year," Hendricks said. "But we are extremely excited to bring someone of Ron's experience and passion on board. He is a Mixed Martial Arts enthusiast as well as a marketing professional who understands the business-side of the sport."

Benfield trains at Absolute MMA in West Jordan, Utah. Prior to joining MMA Business, he owned a motorcycle aftermarket clothing company, and also spent several years as Accessory Sales and Marketing Manger for American Suzuki Motor Corporation, in southern California.

"I am excited to work with so many great MMA businesses, gyms and athletes," Benfield said. "This is a great opportunity to be part of a publication that is so focused on helping grow the MMA community. I look forward to working with companies in this industry, and helping them promote their products and services to our highly-targeted audience of MMA gym owners and trainers."

You can reach Ron at:

Ron Benfield

Advertising Sales Manager

MMA Business Magazine

801-473-6300

mmabizrb@gmail.com

Absolute Fighter Koffi Adzitso

We want to congratulate our teammate Koffi "The Lion King" Adzitso for his win on August 6th! Koffi fought in the "Fight Kings" promotion against Lee "The Cobra" Doss and won by submission (punches) twenty-nine seconds into the second round. Koffi is a great teammate that always shows his support to everyone at Absolute; whether he is coming to watch grappling tournaments, other fights, or birthday parties for the team. He is a great participant on and off of the mat and we're grateful he's found a home at Absolute MMA.

Congrats Koffi, we can't wait to see you fight again!

Absolute fighters at "So You Wanna Fight"

On June 12^th the promotion “So You Wanna Fight” made it’s first stop in Ogden. The show is promoted as an amateur event, where anyone can fight for the opportunity to win one thousand dollars; all you need to sign up is blood work and some courage. We had quite a few guys go out for the event, and all of them did extremely well! Chris Kennedy, Javier Jones, Bentley Garner, Jake Kenison, and Erik Groberg all had their debut fights in the ring that night.

Javier fought at 133 lbs in the MMA segment. His first fight showcased that he has amazing takedown defense, and stellar boxing. His opponent was hard pressed to land any shots, and he walked away with a win by Decision. Javier showcased some amazing jiu-jitsu in his second fight, he defended a guillotine and got the takedown, where he quickly went from side-control to mount, and then took the back. Javier put the squeeze on his opponent and won by submission with an RNC. For the final fight, Javier won with another RNC, sweeping his entire division. He walked away virtually unscathed, spare a few nasty cuts from long fingernails. Congrats on the 1^st place win, Mr. Jones!

Chris Kennedy fought at 154 lbs and also fought in the MMA portion of the event. In Chris’ first fight he put on quite a show, and finished the fight with a triangle choke. The second fight for Chris was quite the battle, but he ultimately won with a split decision. For his final match, Chris fought a really nice guy named Dylan that drove all the way in from Fillmore, and won the fight with an RNC; he brought home the 1^st place medal and a thousand dollars! In a true show of sportsmanship, Chris gave ten percent of his prize money to his final competitor. Congrats, Chris!

Bentley Garner fought at 187 lbs in the MMA portion of the show. Ben’s first fight was mostly a show of his kickboxing skills, with only one takedown to the mount, he beat his opponent before the round ended due to ref stoppage. In his second fight, Ben had two takedowns and dominated in the mount with massive punches to his opponent’s face. The fight went to Ben in a unanimous decision. It was during Ben’s second fight that the “So You Wanna Fight” rules became the most perplexing; in order to promote lively fights the fighters are given thirty seconds to work on the ground, every time a duo hits the canvas a timer starts, and if the action isn’t being pushed, both fighters are stood back up to beat on each other. During Ben’s fight he was stood up three separate times while punching the guy in the face, this was quite unnerving to our coaches, as well as some of the participants. In his third fight, Ben stayed in the mount for about a minute and a half, and won his division by unanimous decision, taking home the prize money and a 1^st place medal. Congrats, Bentley!

Jacob Kenison fought at 182 lbs in the MMA portion and had a stellar performance in his first fight, he won by unanimous decision, and took home a 2^nd place medal. Congrats, Jake!

Erik Groberg was the only person from the gym that fought in the boxing portion of the show, and he won by ref stoppage in the second round, and brought home our fourth 1^st place medal for the night. Great job, Erik!

We want to congratulate all of the teammates that went out to compete; each one of you did a great job in your first fight! Many thanks to all of the teammates that came out to support the show, the events aren’t complete without your presence. Lastly, thank you to our stellar coaches that came out to corner everyone.

Valery Fedorenko and Catherine Imes in Utah

Hey Gang, heads up Valery Fedorenko and Catherine Imes will be presenting a WKC Kettlebell course Aug 20-22, hosted by Rob Handley and Absolute MMA in West Jordan, Utah. A special class for fighters is being scheduled now. Stay tuned for more information.

Absolute fighters in exhibition kickboxing

We've had some recent amateur fights for the team, starting with Braeden Kilpack in March, and recently Terrell Sanders and AmberLee Watkins. All three teammates did extremely well, and we want to congratulate them for all of their hard work. Each one excelled in the ring, and although the matches are "exhibition only," we all consider you guys to be winners.