<![CDATA[As the expression goes, “You are only as good as those you surround yourself with.” If that is true, the fighters at Rose City Fight Club (Rose City FC) are going to be in great shape for the future. Rose City FC is based in Portland, Oregon, and is quickly becoming one of the top gyms in the Pacific Northwest. From a well-rounded coaching staff, to a stable of top tier fighters, Rose City FC is coming on strong. In speaking with some of the fighters and coaches at Rose City FC it was immediately clear that this is a team fully committed to helping each other succeed.
Rose City FC has a great mix of amateur and top-level fighters. A regular day will find UFC veterans Mike Pierce and Pat Healy training right alongside amateur fighters like up-and-coming bantamweight Roma Pawelek. This type of integrated training is a huge benefit to young fighters and it seems that the coaching staff aims to keep it that way. I asked Rose City FC coach, Ryan Lowe, if this type of training has intimidated some of the fighters that are new to the gym.
“I think many are [intimidated] but that ends quickly once they come into the gym and experience the team atmosphere … This is a huge opportunity for athletes new to the sport to learn from some of the best [fighters] around. Training together has helped us bond together as a team.”
Bonding together as a team is something that was echoed by all of the fighters I spoke with. It seems that since opening its doors in January of this year, Rose City FC has focused on keeping the team bond strong and helping to grow young talent. In terms of growing that talent, professional fighters like undefeated lightweight prospect, Brent Primus, are working hard everyday to help in the process. Brent pointed out to me just how motivating the atmosphere can be.
“I think [our team] just gives up-and-coming fighters more motivation and more of a drive when they see big name fighters like Mike Pierce, Pat Healy, and Dave Jansen training next to them. It’s a huge benefit to be able to have experienced athletes like them helping you in your own training.”
The team at Rose City FC is focusing on more than just the physical tools. Many of the fighters work closely with a sports psychologist to try and sharpen their mental game in and out of the cage. Having an edge, mentally, throughout training and leading up to a fight can be paramount to the success of a fighter. Speaking with undefeated amateur Roma Pawelek, she mentioned that one of her goals was to improve on the mental aspect of her game. Roma praised Rose City FC in helping her with that goal.
“Through Rose City I am working with a sports psychologist to help me prepare for [my] fights. Instead of pressure, Rose City provides me with a positive environment where I can thrive as a fighter.”
In speaking with team members it was clear that Rose City FC is only getting stronger. The staff seems focused on growing their team for the future as well as creating champions for the now. Pat Healy, Tyson Nam, Dave Jansen, Mike Pierce, and Brent Primus are all fighting at high levels and any one of them could easily work their way into title contention. No one I spoke with at Rose City FC had a short list of up-and-comers to watch out for. The team is confident in each other and it wants to bring gold to the City of Roses. Fighters like Ricky Simon, Liz Tracy, Benny Vinson, and Jake Smith are working their way up the ranks and are sure to have great futures in MMA with Rose City FC.
If a team is judged by the way it supports each other, how welcoming it is to new members, and by the success of it’s prospects, I would say Rose City FC is coming out of the first semester with an A. And there are no signs that point to a slipping grade. For more information on Rose City FC please visit their website at www.rosecityfc.us.]]>
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