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By Randy Thomas
At MCC 25: “Inferno”, Jake Burriola will step in the cage with Cory “Tha Projekt” Simson. The match up is creating quite the buzz around the fight scene. How these two have never faced each other in the past remains a mystery.
Stylistically, the two match up perfectly. Both mixed martial artists are strikers. Both like to put on a show for the crowd. Both will fight until the bell sounds or the other one falls. But, the similarities go even deeper than that. MCC co-owner, John Halverson commented, “These guys started way back in the day with Josh (Neer), Vic (Moreno) and me- at Toad Holler. It’s crazy because they were both very young at the time, probably not even old enough to get in. They didn’t have many skills, no instruction, they just climbed in there and banged. Look at them now; skill to match their raw talent.”
He continued, “It’s such a good match up because it’s like they are the same fighter. They’re the same age, same height, both idolize the same person in the sport, both started fighting at the same time, both fought in weight classes everywhere from featherweight to middleweight, both have made some bad decisions, come to a cross-roads, and found their way back to a positive route through MMA. This is a fight I’m really looking forward to.”
If you ask Burriola, he’s looking forward to the fight too.
“I’m very excited! Simpson is a stand up fighter just like me, so I am preparing for a three round battle if it lasts that long. I want to push myself in this fight and leave the cage knowing I gave everything I had in there. Cory is the perfect opponent to test myself because the only way to beat him is to beat him. He’s not going to lay down for anyone. There is no quit in him, and I have reached a place in my life where there will be no quit in me either.”
With an amateur record of 40-4 and a professional record consisting of six wins with only two losses, the Des Moines native, who spent the last two years in Las Vegas, is ready to represent his new gym, Roundkick and its head trainer/owner, Pete Peterson. Focusing on sharpening his muay Thai skills, Burriola is under the tutelage of Peterson, morning, noon and night. He is confident that he is both mentally and physically prepared for war.
To Burriola, the return to the cage has been a long road, but he’s had his fair share of fights on his way back.
“My toughest fight was the one I fought with myself. Prior to my move to Las Vegas my life was a mess. I became a very heavy drinker which took over my life. Basically, I took two years off from everything, moved away, and focused on getting my life straight. I got into the word and truth, and started from square one. I gave up drinking. I even gave up television while I worked on my life and getting it back on the right track. I’m not all the way there, but I will be! I am in a better place in my life now, and I am as motivated as ever. Come March 13, I will be the best fighter I can be.”
Although Jake Burriola is not looking past his next fight, he has vowed that 2010 is going to be his year. Ultimately, he is going to focus on laying the foundation to achieving his dream; to someday compete in the UFC. He’s lived and written the book on his past life. He’s ready to start writing again. The next chapter begins March 13.
MCC 25: “Inferno” takes place March 13 at Hy Vee Hall. Tickets are available on-line at www.MidwestCageChampionship.com, by phone at 515-229-8566 or at all Dahl’s ticket outlets. For event information, fighter video’s, interviews, and up to the minute news, log on to the MCC web site.
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