Fighter Jimmy Jones becomes champ in two weight classes

By Hepi Mita

Saturday, April 24, 2010 | 2:49 a.m.

After starting his amateur career with three straight losses, Xtreme Couture’s Jimmy Jones (6-3) is now just the second fighter in Tuff-N-Uff history to become a champion in two weight classes.

“Every sport I’ve ever tried I was never good at when I first started,” Jones said. “I slowly picked it up and before I knew it, I was the best at it.”

The 135-pound champ added the 145-pound title to his trophy case Friday after sinking in a rear naked choke on Larry Mir (2-3) in the first round of their bout at Tuff-N-Uff’s Future Stars of MMA at The Orleans.

“I took him down and I had a good position on him there for a minute,” Jones said. “The next thing I know, I have a little bit of a mount. He gave me his back. I did my best to sink in the choke, and he tapped out.”

Jones only recently moved up in weight class to 145 pounds, and his small stature was a noticeable disadvantage in the fight.

“Guys like Larry are huge, and it won’t be long till guys are out-muscling me into better position, so I’ve got to put on some more muscle,” he said.

Jones, however, used technique to overcome his lack of size.

“I’m such a small guy that it’s easy for guys to strength their way out of a dominant position,” he said. “So I did my best to use my body position to keep him from rolling me out and standing me up, and it worked out for me.”

Jones now looks to continue fighting at 145 pounds. But he said his future lies in the 135-pound weight division.

“I think when I eventually go pro, I’m going to have to tone up, get in shape and maybe go back down to 135,” he said.

The win was just one of nine first-round submission victories on the 13-fight card. Only three fights went to decision.

UFC fighter Johny Hendricks saw the results as a testament to the importance of grappling.

“These guys are amateurs, and you’ve got to focus on the ground game,” Hendricks said. “A lot of these guys, they’ve got good stand-up, but when they get to the ground it’s not about that. I know Jiu Jitsu is not as fun as punching somebody in the face, but it’s just as important.”

One fighter who understands the importance of Jiu Jitsu is Suffer Fight Team member John Gettle (4-0).

Gettle secured a 27-second victory over Erick Kapp (0-2) with a triangle choke in the first round.

“It’ll take me longer to explain the fight than it will to actually watch the fight,” Gettle said.

It initially appeared as if Gettle was in trouble as Kapp quickly took him down. But it was all part of the plan.

“I knew I had more of an advantage from my back than I did standing up with him,” Gettle said. “I feel really comfortable there. Three out of my four fights, I’ve finished from the guard, off my back.”

Gettle seized one of Kapp’s arms and looked for an armbar, but when Kapp tried to evade the attempt he opened himself up for a triangle choke

“He pulled the arm away and it was just right there, so I took it, squeezed it and finished,” Gettle said.

The victory isn’t even Gettle’s quickest submission, as he pulled off an armbar in 15 seconds in his debut. Three of his four wins have come via first-round submission.