Zachrich Making a Comeback
ZACHRICH LOOKS IMPRESSIVE
On Saturday, the 6th of September, I traveled to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, with JG fighter Luke Zachrich for his first fight since he participated on the UFC TUF Season 7. Luke and young jiu jitsu stand out Robby “The Headache” Malof, who had a grappling match, competed in the Full Contact Fight series. Both JG athletes looked very impressive in their competitions. We drove down Friday from West Chester for the weigh-ins on Friday night. Luke weighed in at a rock solid 185lbs. Luke has been training very hard since he recovered from his leg injury, and it paid off.
Robby also weighed in for his grappling match at a very impressive 143 lbs. In the first match of the night Robby “The Headache” took on a home town hero and grappling standout. Robby was calm, cool, and collected as he has had almost 100 grappling matches in his 16 years of walking this earth. His opponent outweighed Robby by 15lbs and was a muscular young man, but he did not intimidate the smaller Headache. The two young men had a submission grappling match that was scheduled for two five minute rounds. Robby went out and controlled his opponent, showing a solid display of jiu jitsu. Robby worked off his back very well, and, when he was on top, he controlled the tempo. The match went both rounds, which Robby won easily. Luke, Travis Trayor and I were cornering Robby, and, when the bell sounded after the second round, we were pleased with the outcome. Robby clearly won both round one and round two, but, when the ref was preparing for a third round, we told the ref it was only scheduled to go two rounds. The home town kid’s coaches just so happened to be running the show and wanted a third round, which we had not agreed upon. Robby sucked it up after a heated conversation between our guys and his corner and went out for the third round. Like the first two rounds, Robby controlled the match and clearly won. After a discussion between the hometown judges, it was called a draw between the two young men. I guess, as in all sports, hometown politics played a role in the outcome of this particular grappling match. Congratulations to Robby for his gutsy performance against a bigger, stronger opponent.
Luke Zachrich was the main event of the show as he prepared to fight journeyman Mike Musselwhite. Luke has been training non-stop since his return from the UFC TUF Season 7. Luke has been itching to get back in the cage and work his way back into the UFC, but he has had to wait until he was completely healed from a quadriceps tear of one of his legs. In his first fight since February, Luke looked very impressive in front of a big crowd of supporters and fans. When the bell rang to start the fight, it did not take Luke long to show he was back and better than ever. Luke landed a very solid leg kick which almost spun his opponent completely around. Musselwhite let out a very loud expletive filled yell as the kick landed. Musselwhite panicked and rushed Luke throwing two sloppy punches. As Musselwhite rushed Luke swinging wildly, Luke took a step back and landed a devastating left hook over Musselwhite’s right hand. Musselwhite went down, out cold. It took Luke 15 seconds to show the crowd and himself that he was back.
I had the pleasure of cornering Luke, and I was relieved that he landed that knock out punch at the 15th second of the fight. I could tell at second 12 and 13 that Luke was getting tired. Luckily for us it did not go 16 seconds, because I am not sure Luke would have had the gas to make it. I say this in jest of course. Luke was in excellent condition and was completely prepared to go three five minute rounds. Luke put on a show for all who were in attendance and ended the fight in devastating fashion with a highlight reel knockout. Congratulations to Robby and Luke for the outstanding performances. Written by Matt Dunlap -MDunlap
On Saturday, the 6th of September, I traveled to Ft. Wayne, Indiana, with JG fighter Luke Zachrich for his first fight since he participated on the UFC TUF Season 7. Luke and young jiu jitsu stand out Robby “The Headache” Malof, who had a grappling match, competed in the Full Contact Fight series. Both JG athletes looked very impressive in their competitions. We drove down Friday from West Chester for the weigh-ins on Friday night. Luke weighed in at a rock solid 185lbs. Luke has been training very hard since he recovered from his leg injury, and it paid off.
Robby also weighed in for his grappling match at a very impressive 143 lbs. In the first match of the night Robby “The Headache” took on a home town hero and grappling standout. Robby was calm, cool, and collected as he has had almost 100 grappling matches in his 16 years of walking this earth. His opponent outweighed Robby by 15lbs and was a muscular young man, but he did not intimidate the smaller Headache. The two young men had a submission grappling match that was scheduled for two five minute rounds. Robby went out and controlled his opponent, showing a solid display of jiu jitsu. Robby worked off his back very well, and, when he was on top, he controlled the tempo. The match went both rounds, which Robby won easily. Luke, Travis Trayor and I were cornering Robby, and, when the bell sounded after the second round, we were pleased with the outcome. Robby clearly won both round one and round two, but, when the ref was preparing for a third round, we told the ref it was only scheduled to go two rounds. The home town kid’s coaches just so happened to be running the show and wanted a third round, which we had not agreed upon. Robby sucked it up after a heated conversation between our guys and his corner and went out for the third round. Like the first two rounds, Robby controlled the match and clearly won. After a discussion between the hometown judges, it was called a draw between the two young men. I guess, as in all sports, hometown politics played a role in the outcome of this particular grappling match. Congratulations to Robby for his gutsy performance against a bigger, stronger opponent.
Luke Zachrich was the main event of the show as he prepared to fight journeyman Mike Musselwhite. Luke has been training non-stop since his return from the UFC TUF Season 7. Luke has been itching to get back in the cage and work his way back into the UFC, but he has had to wait until he was completely healed from a quadriceps tear of one of his legs. In his first fight since February, Luke looked very impressive in front of a big crowd of supporters and fans. When the bell rang to start the fight, it did not take Luke long to show he was back and better than ever. Luke landed a very solid leg kick which almost spun his opponent completely around. Musselwhite let out a very loud expletive filled yell as the kick landed. Musselwhite panicked and rushed Luke throwing two sloppy punches. As Musselwhite rushed Luke swinging wildly, Luke took a step back and landed a devastating left hook over Musselwhite’s right hand. Musselwhite went down, out cold. It took Luke 15 seconds to show the crowd and himself that he was back.
I had the pleasure of cornering Luke, and I was relieved that he landed that knock out punch at the 15th second of the fight. I could tell at second 12 and 13 that Luke was getting tired. Luckily for us it did not go 16 seconds, because I am not sure Luke would have had the gas to make it. I say this in jest of course. Luke was in excellent condition and was completely prepared to go three five minute rounds. Luke put on a show for all who were in attendance and ended the fight in devastating fashion with a highlight reel knockout. Congratulations to Robby and Luke for the outstanding performances. Written by Matt Dunlap -MDunlap
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