Sep 272018
 

Precision Boxing and MMA fighter Garret Volpe earned a hard fought victory on Saturday, but it wasn’t long ago that he was in a hospital bed, not fighting for fame, but his survival. Garret fell victim to a heart complications that occured after being infected with an otherwise harmless virus. The situation became so dire that he was one step away from being on a donor list. See the video below to learn more about Volpe’s journey and recovery.

While this news would terrify most people, Garret faced his illness with steadfast determination and optimism, confident that he would not only survive, but thrive.

Once he was back on his feet he did not waste any time and refocused himself on his martial arts goals. First he stepped into the ring for his first boxing match, a grappling superfight followed, then a muay thai bout. All matches had one constant, a notch in the win column for Volpe.

MMA competition remained Volpe’s ultimate goal though. At Cage Wars he would have his opportunity. Standing in his way was a fierce competitor from Team Renzo Gracie, a camp that has numerous past and current world champions to their credit. Volpe knew a hard battle was ahead of him, but he welcomed the challenge with open arms.

The first round began and Volpe began putting his trademark combinations together. Using his whole body as a weapon and his opponent’s whole body as a target Volpe unleashed lightning quick punches, knees and kicks to the head, legs and body.

In the second round Volpe showed his grappling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu skills taking the fight to the ground and progressing to a near fight ending choke hold. Saved by the bell his opponent came out in the final round determined to win and late in the bout landed several hard punches opening a cut around Volpe’s eye. Volpe wethered the storm though and showed that his heart and determination matched his technique en route to a decision victory.

Poughkeepsie MMA fighter Garret Volpe wins

Poughkeepsie MMA fighter Garret Volpe wins

If you live in the Poughkeepsie are and would like to make your MMA dreams come true check out Precision Boxing & MMA at 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.precisionmixedmartialarts.com

Jul 232018
 

It’s been a busy summer for Precision Boxing and MMA competitors. All of the hard training within the gym was put to the test recently in mixed martial arts and Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions across the Empire State.  The first person to step up for Precision was Billy “The Kid” Tasker.  Billy is a lifelong martial artist that began his journey as a child, earning a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.  From there Billy wrestled in high school and then finally found his way over to Precision where he excelled at Muay Thai and BJJ.

Poughkeepsie MMA

Poughkeepsie MMA

Billy was slated to compete at Cage Wars, one of the largest MMA promotions in Albany, New York. With head coaches Brian McLaughlin and Karl Nemeth in his corner, he felt confident no matter where the fight took place.

The fight began and Billy’s opponent charged after him with bad intentions only to be knocked clean off his sweep by  a well timed front kick. Billy capitalized on the opportunity and took his opponent to the ground locking up several submissions. His opponent was game and fought his way out and worked back to his feet.

After a quick exchange Billy was able to grab a hold of his opponent’s neck and press him into the cage, cutting off any avenues for escape. Here he was able to apply a tight guillotine choke and earn the first round submission.

 

Billy not only put on a spectacular performance in the cage, but set a terrific example for all other aspiring Poughkeepsie MMA fighters. He was disciplined in his training and never took any short cuts. He listened to his coaches every step of the way and displayed a martial artist’s honor and respect in victory.

billy2

Live in Poughkeepsie and looking to make your MMA dreams a reality? Check out Precision MMA to get started call 845-392-8495 for your Free intro lesson.

Jan 012018
 

Precision Boxing and MMA will host Sambo expert and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu expert Riely Bodycomb for a leg lock seminar on Sunday January 14th from 12-2pm. Sambo is a Russian martial art. In the native language the word is an acronym for “Self defense without a weapon”. Sambo experts are umong the most highly regarded fighters in mixed martial arts such as Fedor Emelianenko and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Known for devastating throws and leg locks, Sambo is a great addition for any grappler. Precision is constantly looking to further its understanding of grappling and having Riley share his knowledge will be a huge asset. The cost is $40 for Precision members and $50 for non-members. Here is a clip of Riley in Action! Precision Boxing and MMA is the Hudson Valley’s #1 source for MMA located at 51 Burnett Avenue in Poughkeepsie NY

Nov 162017
 

Lindsey Van Zandt is officially the #1 ranked pound for pound female fighter in the state of New Jersey. Lindsey earned a decision victory over Bi Nguyen. Bi was the heavily favored fighter, 96% of voters picked Bi to win the bout, but Lindsey used her stellar wrestling, ground and pound and submission attempts to dominate the bout.

Unfortunately, Lindsey broke her hand with the very first punch she threw. She showed tremendous heart fighting through the pain and earning the victory, but she will now need to take an extended break as her injury heals. The time off is well earned though, Lindsey has had 3 professional fights in a 4 months streak. Most active fighters take 3 fights in an entire calendar year!

Learn more about Lindsey in this in great video

Live in Poughkeepsie and want to pursue your Hudson Valley MMA dreams? Call Precision boxing and MMA at 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com to get started!

Oct 092017
 

She might only tip the scales at 105 pounds, but Lindsey Van Zandt might be the most dangerous fighter in Poughkeepsie, NY.  Fresh off the heels of her professional mixed martial arts victory Lindsey wasted no time and climbed back into the cage for Maverick MMA in Strasburg, PA.

Poughkeepsie MMA fighter Lindsey Vanzandt

Poughkeepsie MMA fighter Lindsey Vanzandt

Lindsey’s opponent was far more experienced, but what she might lack in ring time Lindsey more than makes up for in effort and dedication. For the past five years Lindsey has been a staple of Precision Boxing & MMA and worked tirelessly to soak up as much technique from head coaches Brian McLaughlin and Karl Nemeth as humanly possible.  Lindsey was determined to not only win, but to do so in dominant fashion.

The fight began with Lindsey using her evasive movements to frustrated her head hunting opponent. She then began landing a plethora of round kicks and straight punches. Her opponent was game and fought back with strong counter strikes, but the first round definitely went to Lindsey.

In the corner coaches advised Lindsey to take the fight to the ground where they thought they would have a decided advantage. Without missing a beat, Lindsey established a clinch and dragged her opponent down where she would land a series of devastating knees and elbows, forcing the referee to call and end to the fight earning her the TKO victory.

linds 2

 

  Live in Poughkeepsie and want to make your MMA dreams a reality? Call Precision MMA at 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com to get started!

Oct 092017
 

In a special ceremony at Precision’s sister school Pure Mixed Martial Arts in Denville, NJ Precision Boxing and MMA coach Karl Nemeth was awarded his first degree black belt under Jamie Cruz.  Jamie is a staple of the northeast jiu-jitsu scene and a long time coach of Precision head instructor Brian McLaughlin.

Poughkeepsie BJJ coaches Brian and Karl

Poughkeepsie BJJ coaches Brian and Karl

Coach Karl is a true martial artist. He was able to earn his first degree in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, a ground fighting art, despite the fact that his main focus is muay thai kickboxing. Coach Karl joins David Karchmer and head coach Brian McLaughlin as Precision coaches who have achieved their first degrees. At this same ceremony coach Brian also promoted his student and long time Precision member Jim Fitzpatrick to the rank of black belt.  One week later Fitz demonstrated his black belt skills at PA Cage fighting where he won a title fight by armbar in less than 1 minute. IF you would like to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Poughkeepsie or Hudson Valley from the top black belts in the region call Precision Boxing and MMA at 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com  fitz bb

Aug 212017
 

Film maker Sam Rivera tells the harrowing story of Precision Boxing & MMA fighter Garret Volpe who battled back from a life threatening illness and fulfilled his dream of getting in the ring and competing. Garret’s story is an inspiration to all Precision students and shows the power of belief, conviction and hard work.

If you live in Poughkeepsie or the Hudson Valley and would like to make your mma dreams a reality call Precision Boxing and MMA at 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com

Aug 212017
 

Precision Boxing & MMA head coach Brian McLaughlin made his return to professional competition at Submission Series Pro’s “Chokes by the Ocean” in Nova Scotia, Canada. The international event was a submission grappling competition featuring some of the top talent from around the US and Canada. Coach Brian was set to face Andrew Tenneson from the famed Jackson/Wink academy. Jackson/Wink is largely considered the best MMA team in the entire world, boasting current and former UFC champion fighters such as Jon Jones, Carlos Condit, Holly Holm and George St. Pierre. Andrew is an instructor at Jackson/Wink as well as an accomplished fighter with a 8-1 combined MMA record. brian The match was fast paced with numerous close submission attempts by each. In the end Brian’s combination of wrestling, top control and submission attempts secured him the judges decision.           Coach Brian proved that even if you’re from the small town of Poughkeepsie, NY you can compete against fighters from the top MMA school on the globe.  If you’d like to see the world class training Precision Boxing & MMA has to offer give us a call at 845-392-8495 or visit http://www.poughkeepsiemixedmartialarts.com 

Precision MMA

Precision MMA

Feb 032017
 

Justin Wren was a mixed martial artist who decided to change the world. Seeking a greater purpose in life, he put his fighting career on hold and set out to make a difference in the lives of those who needed it most. He traveled deep into the jungles of the Congo where he met the Mbuti Pygmies, a persecuted group that lives in slavery and abject poverty.

Justin found the Mbuti Pygmies to be caring, warmhearted people, but watched them be denied the most basic of human rights. Over the next four years, Wren made several trips to the Congo, with one lasting a full year for Wren to stay with the Pygmy people. He lived in the same twig-and-leaf huts they did, slept on the jungle floor and immersed himself in their culture. The Pygmies gave him the name Eféosa, which means “The Man Who Loves Us.”

“I knew for the Pygmies to be free they needed to own their own land, have access to clean water, and develop sustainable agriculture – all for the first time,” says Wren. “I founded the Fight for the Forgotten initiative to work to provide those things to them. With these three simple things, we can begin to break the chain of poverty, suffering, and even modern day slavery.”

Since 2011, Justin and Fight for the Forgotten have provided nearly 3,000 acres of land and 25 water wells to the Pygmies. They have fulltime staff of 18 Congolese nationals who specialize in community development who are working to drill new wells and teach the Pygmies farming practices.

Precision MMA has joined Justin’s fight and this past year they worked to raise nearly $7,000.00 for Water4, the organization that is working to bring clean water to the Mbuti Pygmies and others across the globe who do not have access to clean drinking water.

Here, Justin personally thanks all the generous members of Precision MMA and talks about how the funds raised will be put to good use.