SBG competitors mark wins at mixed martial arts events

Competitors from the Straight Blast Gym in Whitefish and Kalispell recorded wins at recent competitions.

SBG Montana’s Marnic Mann and Leah Taylor each added a win to their amateur mixed martial arts record at Backflips and Beatdowns on July 15.

Mann won in the first round when her opponent, Nekah Dmitriyeva, didn’t answer the bell.

“This fight was definitely a step up in competition,” Mann said. “But I always remind myself of how hard I work to get here and have such an amazing support system surrounding me as well. To even get there, it’s a team effort.”

Coach Gus Nolte praised Mann’s performance as “awesome.”

“She was extremely well-focused the whole fight,” he said. “She went in, put the pressure on, and was relaxed. I was extremely impressed with her performance.”

Taylor fought on the card having been given 48 hours notice against Kim Grinder. She dominated the fight on the ground and won in the second round three seconds before the bell.

“We are always training so I felt as prepared as I could have been,” Taylor said. “Kim proved to be a tough opponent. I took some hard punches early on and had to work to regain composure and take the fight to the ground. It was a good fight. I have a lot to work on, but I feel like I’m getting closer to being a complete fighter.”

Ten of the thirteen competitors in the youth and adult divisions from SBG Montana in Kalispell and SBG North in Whitefish also medaled in the Revolution XXXIV Tournament on July 15-16.

Angela Wieczorek competed in the tournament as a beginner and said she earned confidence in herself.

“I had a lot of great matches, made some mistakes, learned a lot of great lessons,” she said.

Coach Travis Davison praised the performances by Angela Wieczorek, Kisa Davison and Kat Orian.

“I was so impressed with these three women for so many reasons today,” he said.

Team Results Revolution XXXIV

Adult

Kisa Davison: Women’s Purple Belt, Gi - Silver

Ricky Davison: Men’s Blue Belt, Gi - Gold & Intermediate No Gi - Bronze

Matt Okonsky: Men’s White belt, Gi - Silver & Beginner No Gi - Silver

Angie Wieczorek: Women’s Beginner No Gi - Silver

Kat Orian: Women’s Beginner No-Gi - Gold

Youth

Bryn Andersen: Grey Belt, Gi - Silver

Bella Downing: Yellow Belt, Gi - Bronze & Intermediate No Gi - Bronze

Hayden Knauer: Yellow Belt, Gi - Bronze & Intermediate No Gi - Bronze

Lakoda Weiczorek: Yellow Belt, Gi - Silver & Intermediate No Gi

Cayden Weiczorek: Yellow Belt, Gi - Bronze

Kalijah Weiczorek: Yellow Belt, Gi - Gold & Intermediate No Gi - Silver