I had to take a couple weeks to get my thoughts together for this blog. The events that took place, and the road to get there still seem surreal. My journey as a Martial Artist began 28 years ago. Although I’m nowhere near where I would want to end my journey, if I was hit by a bus tomorrow I’d have no regrets. I’m so proud of what my team has done in this first year. My ambition to be a major part of the growth of Muay Thai and Kickboxing here in America drives me to take on more than I probably should. Knowing that I have the Level Up Team behind me every step of the way makes it all possible. I’m honored they put their faith in me to lead them into all the craziness I seem to get us into.

 

I joined an MMA gym in 2006. MMA and BJJ were the programs that got the most attention. It always felt like the Muay Thai program was like the step kids in the family (haha) So I decided that I would help to lead the way for Muay Thai here in Maryland. In 2008 I was given the opportunity to Teach Muay Thai at two gyms. I spent 5 years building those programs to the best of my ability. In the end I still felt like I wasn’t able to push the program forward the way I wanted. So in July of 2013, I started running classes in my hometown of Bowie, MD. August 1st became our official opening of Level Up. In that time we have had over 30 fights, won 3 National Titles, and had 3 fights on Lion Fight, and on our 1 Year Anniversary, August 1st 2014, Jared and Pat fought and won on Lion Fight 17.

 

 

We drove down the night before weigh ins so we could wake up in Connecticut Thursday morning and cut any weight that needed to be shed. We checked out of our hotel and headed over to the Foxwoods Spa. Around 1pm we went down to check the guys weight on the official scale. Both fighters were on so we went to check into our room at the Two Trees Hotel. Weigh Ins went pretty quickly, after you could find all the fighters munching on whatever they had with them until they saw the doctor.

In what definitely rates high in being one of the coolest moments of the weekend, I got a text from Kevin Ross asking how the guys were. We were headed to get food and invited him to come with. He graciously accepted so we scooped him up and headed to Koto our favorite Habachi restaurant near the Casino. We have a ritual of seeing a movie after weigh ins, so the 4 of us shot over to the local theater and caught Guardians of the Galaxy. Just when you think Kevin Ross can’t get any cooler, he buys all of our tickets to the movie. I’m forever grateful to Kevin for hanging out with us. They always say “never meet your heroes”, I can tell you that if Kevin is one of your heroes you will not be disappointed, and if he isn’t one of your heroes he should be. I know it meant so much to Jared and Pat. It was a genuinely cool move from a genuinely cool guy.

 

Fight day we pack up what we need and head to the venue. We were able to share our warm up area with our friends Jeremy Carper and Jessica Palencer from West Virginia. Jessica stepped up late to take a fight at a lower weight class than she has ever fought, and went out there and fought her as off. We were all very proud of her.

Jared was first up for us for the night. Jared is a tenacious fighter. He is building a reputation for his non stop action performances. He rarely ever stops coming forward, and if he does, it’s only to give his opponent an opportunity to miss before his next onslaught. In the end Jared won a unanimous decision. Jared displayed all his weapons, big punches, hard low kicks, vicious clinch knees, and when the dust settled, his hand was raised. I’ll let the incredible work of our friend Dan Eric tell the story.

Patrick would headline the amatuer undercard against a game Nathaniel King. Patrick fought a very smart fight as he always does. Picking his shots carefully, landing clean punches and hard low kicks. We are big fans of catching kicks and dumping people at Level Up. It’s become part of Patricks signature in all his fights. If you like to throw body kicks, you can count on ending up on your back. Kevin Ross is one of the best in the biz, and someone we study regularly. At dinner the night before Pat told Kevin that “when” he got a big sweep he planned to find Kevin in the crowd and pay him respect. Pat was able to sweep Nate a few times but one was super clean, and Patrick seized the moment to honor his word. Kevin smiled from the crowd, noded, as in to say good job, now get back in there! In the end Patrick would also be awarded a unanimous decision Win. Again, Dan’s pictures tell the story better than I do.

 

 

To have a night like this on our one year anniversary is more than I can ask for. As I sat there ringside watching the Pro Card, I couldn’t believe what we had done. This first year has been a constant grind. We are all hungry lions with insatiable appetites. We are on the hunt for whatever it is we want of life. I’m excited to see where we are a year from now.

 

Thank you for all your continued support. I know that none of this is possible without the love and support of EVERYONE at Level Up!

Thank you to Scott Kent and Christine Toledo for giving us the opportunity. The work these two have done with Lion Fight and for the sport of Muay Thai is incredible.

Thanks El Presidente!

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