By TXMMA Staff
Genesis BJJ student/coach the next in new wave of Texas MMA talent; Debuts at BOH 3 Nov. 23rd
There’s a new wave coming.
In the past year or so we’ve seen some bright young talent surface on amateur MMA shows statewide that all fit the same mold. They’re more technical and possess a more refined skill set that we’ve seen in some new or even experienced fighters in the past and they’re ready to take the world by storm. Some names that come to mind include Levi Mowles, a protégé of Brandon Quick who made his debut with a win at the first Belts of Honorius card in Austin earlier in 2013. Likewise, Jordan Carmona (4OZ Fight Club) has also made a splash while fighting for the Legacy Amateur Series in Houston, as have SMAA student Dennis Sisson and Sage Northcutt along with many others across the state.
These are the kids of the new generation.
What all these names have in common is that they did not pick up mixed martial arts (MMA) like most of their predecessors did, in adulthood after seeing it become popular. For most of the previous generation there wasn’t any MMA or UFC fights to look forward to in our youth, only traditional martial arts and kung fu movies. Here in Texas, MMA in its current form wasn’t even legalized until 2005, and most of today’s promotions only came into existence well after that. But for these kids, they were raised on it. Whether it be Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, boxing or all of the above mixed together, these names mentioned above have all been training since their elementary or middle school years – and they’re ready to take the Texas MMA world by storm.
Another fighter in the same mold will be debuting this month at the Belts of Honorius 3 event set for Austin, TX by the name of Mark Delarosa.
Training at Genesis BJJ under Tony Tipton and Albert Hughes, Mark has been on the mats since he was 15 and boxed even earlier than that as a 13 year old. Now he’s a 19 year old purple belt and coach with Genesis and only recently got around to finally preparing for his MMA debut.
Suffice it to say Delarosa expects to be ready when he faces fellow debut fighter Avishai Malke, a 23 years old fighting out of the Pit in Austin.
“It feels the same but with punches and kicks, said Mark when asked to compare MMA with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.” He’s had success in BJJ facing expert level opponents like UFC fighter Colton Smith (a match he lost only by advantage) and he’s for the same in this new endeavor.
“So far it’s been an awesome journey so far I learn something new every day and get too train and meet some of the best MMA fighters and BJJ fighters. Fighting comes naturally to me too. I like to fight. I’ve done the grappling and the boxing. The only difference is that this time it’s in the cage. I want to work my way up in this sport and be the best by beating the best. I don’t know too much about my opponent other than he would only fight me if I dropped to 140 lbs. but it makes no difference. I’m predicting the win and a finish then it’s on to the next one!”