Former collegiate football player Daniel Jolly looking to make an impact in MMA; Faces Aaron Glynn at Legacy 17

By Felix Rodriguez, Staff Writer

AUSTIN, TX, January 15, 2012 – Daniel Jolly began studying martial arts when his father started to teach him Kuk Sool Won as a child. The 28 year-old has been involved in contact sports his entire life, playing collegiate football “for the University of Colorado and Texas State before transitioning into MMA.” Jolly’s future changed when he began to gravitate towards mixed martial arts after taking Judo as a means to stay fit between football seasons.

Jolly decided to move to “Austin in 2008,” after playing football, “with the intention of becoming a pro [fighter]”. The transition was a natural one for Jolly who became “hooked” on MMA because of the physicality and “the mental toughness and intelligence it takes to have any level of success in the sport. So far the move has paid off for Jolly who has won all three of his amateur fights by decision and 2-0 since turning pro -with a win by split decision and a ten second TKO victory.

Jolly is set to meet Aaron Glynn (1-1 pro record) at Legacy Fighting Championship 17 and is excited to give a worthy performance in Texas’ “premier organization.” Jolly wants to put on a show for the fans because he understands that winning emphatically is the easiest way to crossover to the bigger promotions. To do this he’s been “cross-training in multiple disciplines” hoping to mold himself into a fighter who fans will want to watch and whose fights they’ll remember. When discussing the Legacy 17 fight Jolly praised his opponent and told TXMMA that Aaron Glynn “is willing to wrap-up and get locked in a cage with another person and put himself and his skills out there for his friends, family and the fans to see so I respect him for this, and out of this respect comes the willingness to prepare and match his desire to fight.” Jolly wanted to express gratitude towards Glynn for the opportunity to square off and declined to make a prediction for their fight’s outcome because “each fight has its own script that unfolds in front of the fans” so trying to predict something he can only react to would be disrespectful to his opponent.

When asked to describe his fighting style Jolly told TXMMA he simply enjoys “the whole process of modeling oneself into a true Mixed Martial Artist” and that he’d rather not label himself “as a striker, grappler or anything else because the sport demands constant evolution” so he tries to bring something new into each fight.” Throughout his journey as a martial artist Jolly has been humbled by more experienced sparring partners that have been able to exploit the holes in his game. According to Jolly learning humility by “seeking the help of others to improve as a fighter” and being “honest with himself” about his weaknesses has given him an “underlining sense” of self that has helped him to improve as an athlete and as an individual outside of the gym.

Currently Jolly is splitting his training camp between various schools. He is preparing for Glynn training “mostly in South Austin at Rubicon Fightsport, Soco Fitness and Austin Kickboxing Academy.” Aside from his striking and grappling instructors Jolly also “travels around to spar with top guys” that compete at or around his weight class, and has enlisted “Bigger, Faster, Stronger’s” Mike O Hara to work as his “strength and condition coach” in order to to become the most complete fighter he can be.

Jolly’s cerebral approach to fighting is a mirror reflection of his life outside of combat sports, which the soft-spoken fighter described as “nerdy.” The light heavyweight fighter told TXMMA that when he isn’t fighting he “works for a school, attends graduate school and enjoys learning.” When not training, working or going to school Jolly enjoys spending time with his girlfriend and is a self-confessed homebody. To relax Jolly prefers “watching documentaries on Netflix, reading” and playing video games, which he can sometimes do obsessively on his PS3. Whether fighting, working, studying or playing video games Daniel Jolly is an extremely competitive individual who is driven to succeed. He understands that the path to bigger and better things will be expedited if he has strong showings preferably ending in convincing fashion.

Daniel Jolly would like nothing more than to be more active in 2013 so that he can take the next step in his career as a fighter. Aaron Glynn is the first obstacle in the way of Jolly’s goal. Defeating Glynn will be a step in the right direction for Jolly to shed the label of promising prospect and help him reach the highest levels of competition in MMA. Jolly “will be prepared to put on a show” at Legacy 17 because to become a feared contender at the next level “it is [his] job to do so” against Aaron Glynn.

Legacy Fighting Championship 17 will take place February 01, 2013 at the Cowboy Dancehall in San Antonio, Texas. The event’s main card will be broadcasted by AXS TV at 10pm EST, make sure to tune in and support the Texas fight scene!