SIMRELL MMA ASSOCIATION 2009 SUMMER BELT TESTING

On September 13, 2009, members of the Simrell MMA Association from each of the four academies had the unique opportunity to test for rank in the art of BJJ before three of the top black belts in PA. Joining James Simrell and Brian Miller was Richard Riccitti of "The Edge MMA" in Brodheadsville who lent his time and talents to the event and who expressed his astonishment at the overall skill level of the rank canidates.

Over the course of several hours, James, Brian and Rich put the approximately 30 participants through a grueling course of moves, techniques and live training which left little doubt that the candidates had done their homework and were ready for advancement.

At the end of the day, nearly everyone who tested was promoted which was a great reflection on the quality of instruction and training at each of the four Simrell MMA Academies.

On the Rat Pack side, congratulations to Jeff Johnson who, though only there to help out,  was awarded a stripe on his blue belt, to Ron Keblish who was awarded a stripe on his purple belt and to Kerry Lobel who was awarded three stripes on his blue belt. Earning their blue belts were Andy Biel, David Christman, Jason Williams, Kevin Myirski. Bent Yoder, hot off his 20-0 decimation of the North East grappling circuit was awarded a well earned purple belt and Rat Pack top gun Joel Roberts, on the heals of his 2009 NAGA Advanced division title, earned his Brown Belt.

Congratulations to all and we look forward the the next session in the fall.

JOEL ROBERTS GIVES
RAT PACK/SIMRELL MMA
THEIR FIRST MMA TITLE!

It was a year ago June when Joel Roberts signed to fight a then 11-8 Scott Bickerstaff in his mma debut on the King of the Cage Explosion card. Leading up to the event, Joel, Ed Arner and I spoke openly about how he was being set up to pad Bickerstaff's record as he was a KOK favorite and, let's face it, who the hell were we?? Of course, as only we at Rat Pack/Simrell MMA expected, Joel upset the promoters plans in 47 seconds in a moment which will always be special to everyone of us who were there. He, and we, had arrived in no uncertain terms and served notice to the mma community that there was a new kid in town who was not going to be anyone's stepping stone!!!
 
Flash forward to August 9, 2008, Joel, now 3-1, was repeatedly told that his quest for a title shot would have to wait until the promoter of New Breed Fighters had a better chance to see what he could do in the cage. As fate would have it however, a last minute fighter cancellation presented Joel with his title shot on only two weeks notice.

Again, he went into this fight knowing full well that the only reason he was there was to fill the slot and allow Jeff Lentz of Rhino fight team, then undefeated in 6 fights, win the title. Once again, however, Joel, this time with Ed Arner and Chuck Glass by his side, had different plans and it it my pleasure to announce that Joel Roberts is the NEW N.B.F. SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION!!!!
 
With a third round tap out victory (via rear naked choke) Joel has once again shown the world what we at Rat Pack have always known, that he is a national caliber fighter who one day has the ability to be a world champion!
 
I can not say enough how proud I am of Joel and how much I thank him for taking Rat Pack and the entire Simrell MMA Association to the next level with his outstanding victory.

 
We all love you dude and thank you for your valiant efforts.