2008 Woodie Awards
UFC fighter teaches martial arts at Foy Center
Ginger McQuiston
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Sports
Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Brad Morris made an appearance at APSU Fri., April 11, after traveling 26 hours from his home country of Australia. He taught a free jujitsu class in the Foy Fitness Center.
Morris holds a brown belt in Japanese jujitsu. He has also trained in Brazilian jujitsu, wrestling and boxing. His UFC record stands at 10-2.
Junior psychology major, John Stephens, showed up early Friday afternoon, excited to have the opportunity to train, even for a short amount of time with a great fighter.
"Jujitsu has always fascinated me, how you can isolate and manipulate body parts. You can use it in self-defense … if you're in a bad situation. You can get into the sport of it or use it to get into shape. [Jujitsu] is like physical chess and at the same time you can get a really good workout," Stephens said.
The students who attended received more than they bargained for. Morris demonstrated several submissions fans of the UFC and mixed martial arts have seen on television. Students watched Morris execute arm and leg bars, ankle and knee locks and neck cranks. Morris said he liked to use neck cranks as a diversion. It forces his opponent's hands up and then he is able to get a submission.
Morris explained why he taught the jujitsu class. "It's to gain a greater understanding of how the body works, the biomechanics involved, a little bit more fitness and hopefully a greater appreciation of the sport and what it takes to compete, " Morris said.
Being a UFC fighter is not an easy task. Morris trains rigorously, twice a day, five days a week, to stay fit and fighting ready. Outside of sparring, which is his main source of conditioning, he also competes in strongman events and repeatedly flips tires weighing anywhere from 660 to 920 pounds.
When Morris takes an uphill jog, he wears a 45-pound vest and drags a 60-pound tire behind him. That is on a light jog. He has also pushed a car up a hill as training.
Those interested in jujitsu can check out Morris' training videos on YouTube.
Morris had his first Mixed-Martial Arts (MMA) fight in September of 2002. He is the current Warriors Realm Heavyweight Champion. He has held the Kumite (Australian) Heavyweight title. This month he will be making his debut in the UFC.
He is scheduled to fight 6-foot-1-inch, 240 pound Cain Velasquez Sat., April 19, in UFC 83. Velasquez was a two-time All-American wrestler at Arizona State University. It will be the first UFC event ever held in Centre Bell, Canada.
Most of the 11 fights taking place in the event will be broadcast live on Pay-Per-View.
Morris holds a brown belt in Japanese jujitsu. He has also trained in Brazilian jujitsu, wrestling and boxing. His UFC record stands at 10-2.
Junior psychology major, John Stephens, showed up early Friday afternoon, excited to have the opportunity to train, even for a short amount of time with a great fighter.
"Jujitsu has always fascinated me, how you can isolate and manipulate body parts. You can use it in self-defense … if you're in a bad situation. You can get into the sport of it or use it to get into shape. [Jujitsu] is like physical chess and at the same time you can get a really good workout," Stephens said.
The students who attended received more than they bargained for. Morris demonstrated several submissions fans of the UFC and mixed martial arts have seen on television. Students watched Morris execute arm and leg bars, ankle and knee locks and neck cranks. Morris said he liked to use neck cranks as a diversion. It forces his opponent's hands up and then he is able to get a submission.
Morris explained why he taught the jujitsu class. "It's to gain a greater understanding of how the body works, the biomechanics involved, a little bit more fitness and hopefully a greater appreciation of the sport and what it takes to compete, " Morris said.
Being a UFC fighter is not an easy task. Morris trains rigorously, twice a day, five days a week, to stay fit and fighting ready. Outside of sparring, which is his main source of conditioning, he also competes in strongman events and repeatedly flips tires weighing anywhere from 660 to 920 pounds.
When Morris takes an uphill jog, he wears a 45-pound vest and drags a 60-pound tire behind him. That is on a light jog. He has also pushed a car up a hill as training.
Those interested in jujitsu can check out Morris' training videos on YouTube.
Morris had his first Mixed-Martial Arts (MMA) fight in September of 2002. He is the current Warriors Realm Heavyweight Champion. He has held the Kumite (Australian) Heavyweight title. This month he will be making his debut in the UFC.
He is scheduled to fight 6-foot-1-inch, 240 pound Cain Velasquez Sat., April 19, in UFC 83. Velasquez was a two-time All-American wrestler at Arizona State University. It will be the first UFC event ever held in Centre Bell, Canada.
Most of the 11 fights taking place in the event will be broadcast live on Pay-Per-View.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
SSFgear
posted 9/16/08 @ 11:29 AM CST
Brad is in Omaha NE for UFN 15. This is 2nd fight for the UFC. Brad will be fighting Sep 17th.
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