Published: May 30, 2009 01:30 am      

MMA academy to debut in Logansport

Event will be held next weekend to introduce organization

A mixed martial arts academy will debut in July in Logansport.

The group that is organizing the academy, the Logansport Fight Company, will introduce itself to the community by holding an event next Saturday, June 6 at the National Guard Armory on Cicott Street.

“Our expertise is what makes us surpass other local leagues,” said Minun Shaw Bradbury, head trainer/owner. “We’re professionals trying to keep a good name. We’re trying to be a staple in the community.”

The academy itself with be held at 200 North St. in downtown Logansport. The grounds are currently under construction but should be completed soon according to Bradbury.

At the event this upcoming weekend, local MMA fighters such as Tim Duncan, Daniel Luna, Keith Jasmantas, Heather Ness, Jayson Ling and Bryan Titus will take on fighters from surrounding areas such as Indianapolis, Delphi and Kokomo.

“We’ve got a couple guys who after this fight will be making their pro debuts,” Bradbury said.

Bradbury said he is a certified personal trainer with over 20 years of experience in the fighting disciplines Muay Thai and boxing. He added grappling instructor Joel Blanton has over 20 years experience in jujutsu and submission wrestling.

“We’re a professional organization,” Bradbury said. “We’re not your typical garage or side-alley fight league. Our fighters are trained professionally and are talented people. You don’t fight for me unless you have the training.”

When the academy fully opens in July, Bradbury said beginning, intermediate and advanced classes will be held in boxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“Most of the fights we’ll have will be out of town,” Bradbury said. “We’ll look to have in-town shows from time to time, but we’re looking for our fighters to get exposure. We’re hosting an event in Logansport to introduce ourselves to surrounding communities.”

Bradbury, 29, recently moved to Logansport from California. He grew up in Florida. Blanton, 38, is from Logansport and has fought nationally.

“I just moved here. I had been training in California and was the head instructor at a Gracie Barra,” Bradbury said. “All the legends go to Gracie Barra. I just moved here because I decided it’d be an awesome place to open a school. There are a lot of awesome guys here and no one to train them.”

Bradbury also wanted to thank sponsors of the academy, U-Know Pizza & Sandwich Shop and the Old Style Inn.

• Beau Wicker is the sports editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at (574) 732-5113 or beau.wicker@pharostribune.com