By Jonathan King The Clinch Report Photos by: John Walsh The Clinch Report
According to some the earth was created in 7 days. If it was, that would be a pretty productive week for a god. For a mixed martial artist 7 days after a fight usually finds them healing, re-charging or simply put; in lazy mode. For Bellator heavyweight Josh Appelt (10-2 MMA), 7 days is all that separates two very impressive wins in the Bellator Cage.
Appelt is currently riding a 6 fight win streak that has seen him rise in the heavyweight rankings from virtual unknown, to possible Bellator Tournament contender.
On February 28, Appelt’s impressive TKO win over Josh Lanier (7-7 MMA) left him virtually unscathed. When the opportunity to fight Manny Lara on short notice arose, Appelt gamely stepped up to answer the call. Although he was taking the fight on short notice, ‘The Juggernaut’ felt ready.”I knew he was tough (Lara), after watching his fight with Martinez, but I was confident.” Appelt said.
Although this fight did not end as quickly, it definitely solidified Appelt’s status in the burgeoning Bellator Heavyweight division. For three rounds, Appelt dominated the heavy handed Lara, on his way to a unanimous decision victory. Utilizing his superior wrestling, Appelt was able to keep Lara pinned on one hip where his vicious ground strikes scored heavily on the judges scorecard.
Lara at times did land some heavy shots, but ‘The Juggernaut” continued his relentless assault. “I didnt feel rocked at all really, only when i took the knee did i feel hurt at all.” Appelt said “But that guy does has heavy hands!”
For Appelt, the key to the dominant performance was his superior grappling. “He (Lara) told me he was surprised by my wrestling ability… he didnt realize I had been a wrestler, he though I was just a striker, but i actually like the ground!” Appelt said.
The win over Lara puts Appelt (3-0 in Bellator) in a interesting free agent situation, as it was the last fight on his contract. However, if he has his way he won’t be going anywhere. “I like Bellator, and am hoping to get in the tournament.” Appelt said. However the two battles in 7 days have left the ‘Juggernaut’ with some minor wounds that need to heal up first.
For Bellator, Appelt seems to be the perfect fit. If you were to cut a fighter from the Bellator cloth it would be hard to find a better representative than Appelt. “I like the Bellator tournament format, it tests a fighter not just physically but mentally, you have to try and stay healthy, and not get hurt!” Appelt said. Unfortunately for the eager Appelt, in the Bellator tournament the fights are more spread out than 7 days!
Hopefully his recent success will enable the former collegiate football player to become a full time fighter, however his family obligations and full time equipment operator on a gold dredge fuel his hunger to succeed in the Bellator cage. “I’m a dad first, and always will be.” Appelt said. But the glare of gold outside of his sluice box and around his waste is clearly obvious. “I’ll fight whoever, wherever, whenever!” Appelt said. “But then, we can hang out afterwards!”
Josh Appelt: “I want to thank my son Braden and my wife Amanda. Tyson, Mikey, and Jeremy my coaches and my manager Dave Hirschbein of MMA Gold.”
Sponsored by: Lanas Egg Whites, West Coast Nutrition, Certified Royalty, Golden Bear Alarms, Jacco, Century MMA, and Mike Santos Body Shop My Boxing Body, “We don’t care about the head we hunt for the body.”
THE CLINCH REPORT 