Taking the punches: Student revolves his life around mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts fighting takes reckless abandonment for a person’s body.

Just ask Berrien Springs sophomore Jordan Parsons, who has trained to become an MMA fighter since graduating high school.

“I hate to lose … I’m more likely to break a bone before I tap,” he said.

That means more than words to Parsons. In November 2008, he suffered a fractured orbital bone after catching an elbow to the eye, an injury that required surgery to insert a plate that would help restore his vision. The recovery process required four months off from training and an additional month when he could not fight.

Saturday, Parsons will fight Jared Marr (4-0) at Xtreme Cagefighting Championship 43 at the Ramada Inn in Lansing. The gate opens at 6:30 p.m. and the fight starts at 8 p.m.

MMA combines martial arts, wrestling and other fighting styles into one competitive sport. The most common professional league is the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Barrein Springs sophomore Jordan Parsons warms up with South Lyon sophomore Shea Butler, a veteran MMA fighter, before training with other fighters on Wednesday in the wrestling practice room. Parsons, in addition to several other fighters, practices four days a week for two hours. Parsons has had several injuries, including surgery below his eye and a hairline fracture on his foot. “I dislocate my thumbs a lot, too,” he said. (Photos by Ashley Miller/Photo Editor)

A victory at the semifinals sends Parsons to the finals to fight for the belt and title that goes with it.

The beginning

Parsons’ interest in professional fighting evolved from his love of wrestling.

He served as team captain of the wrestling team at Berrien Springs High School for three years, earning back-to-back state qualifying honors his junior and senior year in the 171- and 160-weight classes.

“After wrestling ended, I tried MMA for a week, and fell in love,” Parsons said. “While it’s only a hobby now, my plan is to turn pro in the near future.”

Parsons left his mark at Berrien Springs, setting the record for fastest pin with six seconds, and the most matches wrestled in a season with 52.

He began training for MMA after high school, adding boxing, jujitsu and Muay Thai to his resume of fighting skills.

“You need to study jujitsu to beat jujitsu, and it’s a ‘need to know’ in MMA,” Butler said.

Parsons uses a style known as “ground and pound” that combines a take down with a fury of hits.

“Eventually, I’d like to reach the UFC, but I also really want to fight overseas in Japan,” Parsons said.

Training regimen

Unlike most students, Parsons sets his schedule around his personal training program.

With 12 credits Tuesdays and Thursdays, the psychology major spends his free time training an average of seven to 10 hours daily.

He normally starts his day with a morning jog from his Jamestown Apartments residence to the Student Activity Center.

On school days, he attends class until 5 p.m., then trains with the club grappling team for two hours, followed by lifting, before finishing off with a couple hours of cardio.

“Jordan shows his dedication at least twice a day in the gym, working on lifting and his technique, and shows great discipline by the immense amounts of weight he cuts before a fight,” said South Lyon sophomore Shea Butler, a jujitsu and Muay Thai instructor.

Butler trains with Parsons in CMU’s Grappling Club.

Cutting weight

Two weeks before a fight, Parsons begins cutting his weight, dropping down to 155 pounds from 175. He layers up for cardio and diets heavily.

Parsons lowers his calorie intake to about 1,300 per day and goes down to about 700 calories per day during the final week. That last week, he said his diet consists of mainly yogurt with a half-cup of granola, and five spoonfuls of peanut butter for protein.

Woodrow James, a promoter for Xtreme Cagefighting Championship, said Parsons is biding time before he makes another jump.

“He’s a beast. He could go pro right now, but he’s looking for ring experience first,” James said.

Parsons is ranked No. 1 in the lightweight division (145.1-155) of the XCC league, with an amateur record of 8-1. His only loss came by decision against undefeated pro MMA fighter Jesse Grosse.

“I was impressed from the start, and he shows improvement every time he fights,” James said.

Parsons’ mother, Anna Morsaw, says it is not easy to picture her son out on the floor, even in spite of his record.

“I pray for him every time he gets into the ring, and I’m very proud of him,” Morsaw said. “Of course, I worry about him, but I know he trains hard and is well conditioned.”