MMA Junkie has confirmed that Arlington founded but Las Vegas-based managerial group, Team Takedown, and Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu Academy founder Mark Laimon are planning on relocating to the Lone Star State. The managerial group, their fighters, and Laimon are planning on occupying The Gym, a 30,000 square-foot training facility in Arlington.
Team Takedown is most notable for their unique approach to fighter management. Fighters under Team Takedown are given a salary and have both their living expenses, and training expenses paid for. In return for these perks, fighters are required to submit half of their fight purses to the managerial group. Consider it an off-beat form of MMA communism. According to the report, it takes approximately $450,000 a year to support each fighter.
Team Takedown began in 2007 when they signed collegiate wrestlers, Johnny Hendricks, Shane Roller, and Jake Rosholt. While none have truly found superstar success, Hendricks is undefeated and rapidly earning respect from fight fans and media types.
“We want everything right there where we’re at,” Team Takedown co-founder Ted Erhardt said. “That’s because now we’re really going to push forward and start to grow this thing that we’ve seen is proven.”
Laimon, a coach for Team Takedown, is best known for the success of his Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy, Cobra Kai. Laimon will make the move to Texas along with Team Takedown and plans to open a franchise of his Vegas-based Cobra Kai academy.
“I think we’re in a situation now where it’s the right time to grow and expand the brand,” Laimon said.
The move to Texas solidifies the regions reputation as a burgeoning hotbed of MMA talent. New MMA academies seem to pop up monthly here in the DFW and with the influx of training centers come a wave of talented fighters from here in North Texas.
No official date has been set for the move to Texas, but Team Takedown’s inclusion into the North Texas combative sports scene will be a welcomed addition.
Source: MMA Junke Radio
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