Local MMA Fighters Get a Shot
on ESPN Deportes

Two local athletes will join the rising stars of MMA at the Bellator IX Mixed Martial Arts Middleweight Fighting Championships Semi-Finals take to the cage at the Monroe Civic Center, Friday, May 29 at 8:00 pm.

Braswell, son of Dr. Roy and Deborah Braswell, has a 4-2 professional record.  He had a 5-0 record as an amateur before getting into the cage for his first pro match in Little Rock, Arkansas in February of 2009.  He is considered one of the premier MMA fighters in the region.  He trained as a boxer prior to moving to mixed martial arts and now trains with John Blunschi at in Gracie jiu-jitsu of West Monroe. Braswell is more than just a fighter, however, with an impressive history in the classroom. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology from Louisiana Tech in Ruston. 

“I want to see how far fighting takes me, and I’m glad to be fighting in the cage with Bellator,” says Braswell.  His plans also include teaching and opening his own gym.  Braswell says, “I want to take what I’ve learned and train other martial artists through physical conditioning.”

Chas Kelly, training out of Dallas, Texas, will face Braswell in the cage next Friday night.  Kelly was a collegiate wrestler in Missouri and has a pro-MMA record of 2-0.

In the heavyweight division the local favorite is Jamie McKinney of Monroe.  McKinney had his first mixed martial arts fight in 2001 and turned professional in August of 2003 at a bout in New Orleans.  As a kickboxer, McKinney’s record is 6-3, with a 5-3 record in MMA. 

McKinney trains at Full Force Academy and West Monroe Boxing Center and like Braswell has also trained with John Blunschi.  “I appreciate this opportunity that Bellator is giving me and I know that they run a big, technical show.  It’s professional and top grade,” says, McKinney.

McKinney will be getting in the cage with another heavyweight, Shawn Jordan of Baton Rouge.  This bout promises to be quite a showdown between two huge fighters.  Promoter Kerri Daigle of Keeppunching Entertainment says, “These are bruisers, man, big guys.  This fight’s going to be one to remember!”

This event will be taped and televised the following day, May 30, on ESPN Deportes.  In addition, using the internet, the program will also be seen in more than 40 countries, giving Braswell, McKinney and the City of Monroe, international exposure.

Monroe Civic Center Director Pat Dayton announced that the public is invited at no charge to view the weigh-in, Thursday, May 28^th at 2:00pm in the Bayou Room of the Convention Center at the Monroe Civic Center Complex.