MMA heavyweight prospect Chris Tuchscherer plans to parlay his experience working with UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar into capturing the first Sovereign Nations Mixed Martial Arts (SNMMA) title Saturday night (March 21) headlining "Beatdown 4" against Brandon "The Iron Lion" Lee Hinkle at 4 Bears Casino in New Town, North Dakota. Lesnar will be a special guest at "Beatdown 4."
SNMMA links federally recognized tribes throughout the United States and Canada. SNMMA's mission is to develop, promote and help regulate mixed-martial-arts in a fair and professional manner by federally recognized tribes that are sovereign nations.
Hinkle-Tuchscherer, recently named the No. 7 best MMA fight in march by Sherdog, features two former college wrestling standouts -- Tuchscherer (15-1-0, 5 (T)KOs, 6 Submissions), from nearby Fargo (ND), a 2-time NCAA, Div. II All-America wrestler and Hinkle (14-9-1, 8 (T)KO, 4 Submissions), fighting out of Columbus, Ohio, a former NCAA, Division II wrestling champion battling for the vacant SNMMA heavyweight title is scheduled for five, 5-minute rounds (all other fights on the card have three, 3-minute rounds).
Tuchscherer is a member of the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, which will be well represented on "Beatdown 4," as well as where Lesnar trains frequently working out with Chris. "Brock is an amazing athlete who I've learned a lot from as a fighter and person," Tuchscherer said. "I'm not intimidated by him because we're good friends. Sometimes it's like two brothers working out and we get after each other pretty good. It does get frustrating at times working with somebody as strong and massive as Brock. Hell, he's the UFC champion only three fights into his MMA career. He's a beast. Brock Lesnar is a whole other animal. I'm blessed to work out with the past two years It was an honor to be chosen by him as one of his fulltime workout partners, not just somebody for him to train with. It tells me I'm somebody near the top and one day I hope to be where he is.
"Fighting for the SNMMA title means a lot to me and I'm very glad to be part of it, especially the first one. I'm from North Dakota, too, and it's great to have this opportunity. I lived in Rugby, which isn't too far from 4 Bears, so I hope to have some fans there. I moved to Arizona with my mother but later went back to North Dakota and wrestled at Bottineau High. I went on to wrestle in college at North Dakota State and Minnesota."
Hinkle is a UFC veteran who also is 2-0 as a pro boxer. He has been inactive since July, 2007, but during his career he's beaten Sean Gannon (who defeated Kimbo Slice) and been in against the likes of Jeff Monson and Jason Lambert.
"Hinkle trains at Hammer House and has a wrestling background like me," Chris noted. "He was a Division 2 national champion (West Liberty State) and has been around many years. He's fought some really good guys and done well. Brandon's been off a while but I'm preparing to fight him at his best. I never take anybody lightly and I'm sure he's prepared for me. I've trained hard to beat him and put on a great show. I want to defeat him, win the first SNMMA title, and go from there."
Another ex-UFC fighter, Drew Fickett (36-10-0), battles dangerous welterweight Nick "The Carnie" Lentz (14-3-1) in a much-anticipated co-feature. Fighting on the undercard is featherweight Clint Godfrey (7-1-1) vs. Rich Taylor (5-1-0), lightweight Marshall Martin (10-5-0) vs. Dan Casey (12-2-0), featherweight Yaotzin Meza (11-4) vs. Travis Reddinger (10-0), heavyweight Jessie Wallace (3-0-0) vs. Zak Jenson (6-2-0), lightweights Jon Knutson (2-3-0) vs. Pablo Garza (2-0-0), light heavyweight Jim Miltonberger (1-1-0) vs. Bruce Nelson (17-25-1), middleweight Josh Rosaaen (2-3-0) vs. Ryan Braun (2-4-0), heavyweight Seth Harrison (1-1-0) vs. Tyler Bartholemew (0-1-0), light heavyweight Dane Sayers (3-0) vs. Shane Dezee (8-3-0). All fights and fighters are subject to change.
Tickets, priced at $20.00 (bleachers), $30.00 (floor) and $50.00 (ringside), are available at 4 Bears Casino's Players Club or by calling 800.294.5454 X4724. Go to www.4bearsfightclub.com or www.snbcmma.com for additional information.