Tonight, NCAA Division I champion at 157lbs Bubba Jenkins makes his professional MMA debut at Tachi Palace Fights in Lemoore, California.
Jenkins — fighting out of Virginia Beach, Virginia — won his NCAA title back in March representing Arizona State University, who have produced wrestlers such as Cain Velasquez, Ryan Bader and Aaron Simpson. In somewhat of an upset Jenkins pinned favourite David Taylor of Penn State in the final. Jenkins had wrestled for Penn State previously until coach Cael Sanderson cut him from the team.
Jenkins early on had stated his plans for entering MMA once his collegiate career was over and a National Title brings with it a certain recognition and expectation considering the historical success of collegiate wrestlers at the highest levels of MMA. Since finishing college Jenkins has been training at American Top Team, as well as spending some time with his former coach Ben Askren at Roufous Sport.
Jenkins fights tonight at Lightweight having weighed in 155.5lbs, though he has wrestled as low as 149lbs so a drop to Featherweight in the future isn’t out of the question.
Jenkins’ original opponent, Chris Huerta had to pull out due to injury and would also have been making his debut. Replacing Huerta is Josh Williams of Clovis, California, a fellow rookie at 0-0-0.
Tachi Palace Fights streams live tonight from Sherdog starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT