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Three-time NCAA champion wrestler looks to conquer new challenge Posted: Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 10:32:32 am PDT By ERIC PLUMMER Sports editor
As a wrestler, Sandpoint native Jake Rosholt has excelled as few others have, dominating the sport he loves since childhood. His resume is littered with state and national titles, culminating with a stellar career at Oklahoma State, where he was a four-time All-American and three-time NCAA champion. Now he has his sights set on another title -- the Ultimate Fighting Championship 185-pound title. Considering his work ethic, one-on-one combat skills and hunger to conquer new challenges, it wouldn't be wise to bet against him."I had always planned on wrestling through the 2008 Olympics," said Rosholt, while training recently in Las Vegas, Nevada. "Somewhere along the line I lost the passion and wanted to try something else." That 'something else' is the exciting and burgeoning sport of mixed-martial arts (MMA), also known as Ultimate Fighting. It mixes aspects of wrestling, boxing, karate, jui-jitsu, judo and kickboxing, as competitors battle one-on-one in an octagonal ring. The sport is now challenging boxing in popularity, as well as pay-per-view profits.
Rosholt was recently signed to a seven-year contract with Team Takedown, an Arlington, Texas-based management company whose motto is "turning great wrestlers into ultimate fighters." Team Takedown founder Ted Ehrhardt says wrestlers have the skill set and background to dominate MMA, and he believes Rosholt possesses two attributes that will make him a force to be reckoned with. "First, he works harder than almost any person I've ever spent time with," said Ehrhardt, noting Rosholt will be making very good salary in the sport. "Secondly, he has the mental capacity that he'll be the best, period. A lot of guys are blessed with physical aspects, not all of them have the mental." Rosholt, Oklahoma State teammate Johny Hendricks and Eric Bradley -- all former collegiate wrestlers -- are the only three members of Team Takedown. They are currently training in Las Vegas at the gym of UFC legend and heavyweight champion Randy Couture. According to the web site "www.teamtakedownfighters.com," Couture is impressed with the progress made by Rosholt in a short period. "Jake is doing well and learning fast, as most wrestlers do, but not fast enough for him," said Couture on the web site. "He is very anxious to make a mark now." Rosholt is currently training about six-hours a day, including running, lifting, sparring and taking classes to learn all of the disciplines required before stepping in the octagon. He says he understands what it takes to win one-on-one combat, but has had to learn the skill of striking on his feet and getting comfortable using his hands. Rosholt's mat skills will serve him well in MMA, as many of the fights go directly to the ground, where his scrambling ability and variety of holds are an asset. Ehrhardt says while it's a big adjustment for wrestlers from the mat to the octagon, it still comes down to having the desire to succeed, which he thinks Rosholt has in spades. "You've got to want to fight; it's not every man's dream to get punched in the face," said Ehrhardt. "If you don't want it, you can't win it. "Everyone asks how is he (Rosholt) going to learn to take a punch? I say it's more important for them to learn not to take a punch." For Rosholt, the thrill seems to be in conquering a new challenge. He's currently 6-feet-1, 205 pounds, but has a goal of winning the UFC 185 pound championship. He says he has no fears entering the octagon and is excited to tackle something different, brutal as it may be. "As long as you're on the giving end, and not the receiving end," said Rosholt with a chuckle. "It's a challenge. Can I get myself to the top tier, can I be the best at this?" For more information on Rosholt and Team Takedown, including questions and message boards, go to "www.teamtakedownfighters.com" or visit "www.myspace.com/Jake Rosholt." POST YOUR OPINION
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