This story is a small part of a large effort by MixedMartialArts.com to understand what works. Check out the library on:
•Martial Arts on The Street
•Style vs. Style
•Wrestling
Dale “Apollo” Cook runs the Xtreme Fighting League, which features both kickboxing and MMA bouts from its base in Oklahoma. Back in 1995, when MMA was just a two-year-old baby, and still primarily a vehicle to prove which martial art was best, Cook held a seminal style vs. style fight.
The bout is from 1995’s ACE World Series of Martial Arts, and features future UFC title challenger Frank Trigg taking on judoka Bill Simpson. Trigg would later go on to earn a black belt in Judo under Patrick Burris, but he competes as a pure wrestler here.
The ruleset was silimar to catch wrestling – either pin or submission could win the contest. Unlike some previous judo vs. wrestler bouts, each athlete is in the appropriate uniform for the respective art – the judoka Simpson is in a gi, while the wrestler Trigg is in a singlet
What Happened
Trigg almost immediately attempts a double leg takedown, presumably in an attempt to win via pinfall. Simpson responds by wrapping his arms around Trigg’s neck and defending against the ropes. Trigg attempts to switch to a single leg but Simpson maintains his sprawl, and Trigg is forced to give up the attempt and follow Simpson down to the mat.
The match is essentially lost at this point, with Trigg in a turtle position and Simpson with plenty of time to adjust his choke to his liking. Trigg makes one last attempt to stand and manages to reach his feet, but Simpson never lets up one bit on his choke and manages to drag Trigg back down, where he goes unconscious in short order.
The Aftermath
Trigg would go on to become a Judo black belt, Olympic Trials finalist wrestler, and have a fine MMA career, retiring in 2011. He currently works as a stuntman and MMA official. His only UFC losses have come to welterweight champions or title challengers. On this night though, Simpson’s judo was a little too much for him.
The Lesson
Wrestling is the most important style in mixed martial arts, as it determines where the action takes place. However, to function at the highest level of effectiveness, some degree of expertise is needed in striking, submission, and wrestling. Unfamiliarity with each of the three, in their various forms, is literally fighting blind.
About The Promoter, Dale “Apollo” Cook
Dale Cook is one of the greatest figures in American martial arts history, with an extraordinary record across five combat sports, in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and cruiserweight divisions. Born in 1956, “Apollo” started kickboxing professionally in 1977, becoming PKA world middleweight champion under American Rules kickboxing, and then expanding to International Rules where he earned two world titles, and then Muay Thai, and then Shoot Boxing, where he earned another world title.
Then he retired, in 1996, with a record of 94-4-1 in kickboxing, and 19-2-1 in professional boxing. Upon retiring, Cook opened up Apollo’s Martial Arts in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and has produced a number of champions. He has also starred in nine martial arts feature films.
Share your thoughts on The StreetGround forum at MixedMartialArts.com.
