MMA: HEAVY-HITTERS HEADLINE MECCA XV THIS FRIDAY

Driller Fights promotes it’s inaugural MMA event at Jackpot Junction Casino in Morton, MN this Friday, November 15th. Mecca XV is set to feature three perfectly matched professional bouts and seven amateur fights featuring Midwest prospects on the undercard. Minnesota Fight News had the chance to catch up with the six combatants competing in the three professional bouts heading into fight night.

The main event has Angel Pacheco (1-0) of Start BJJ and Sam “The Mohawk Menace” Hernandez (2-1) of the Fight Squad colliding for the Driller Promotions 145 pound featherweight title. “This is a dream fight” said Drillers Jeremy Bjornberg. “Two Mexican fighters known for big hearts and heavy hands. I absolutely can’t waint for this one!”

Sam Hernandez: I’m expecting a classic back and forth fight, with me starting to take over in the second round, and finish him in the third. I’m coming off a loss where I felt unprepared. I made it to more practices and then add more cardio on my own, so this fight camp has been one of the best I’ve ever had. I cant wait for this bout, and it’s an honor for having my brother Juan Hernandez and I as the main two fights to watch. Special thanks to Clay Uddley for being my striking coach.

Angel Pacheco: The fight can go many different ways. At some point I feel I will catch him, hurt him and finish him in the first or second round. Or I can take him down and out work him there and more then likely submit him. I feel the take down is the path of least resistance. But I think I will just stand with him until he tries to take me down then finish him on the ground off of his take down attempt.Training camp was great, I love my team at Start BJJ. I have the best coaches and best team a guy can ask for. It’s hard to win a round in that room because everyone is so competitive, I love it. I am just ready to get into the cage. I am ready for a war but I feel my skills will show the level of class I am above my opponent. Thank you to Brock, Joe, Chaz, Mike, my team and my beautiful wife Jessica. I cant wait for show time.

The first of two co-featured fights could be dynamite when Nico Jefferson (1-1) of Genesis meets local Juan Hernandez (1-0) of Fight Squad in a 155 pound bout. Hernandez joins his brother Juan fighting out of nearby Sleepy Eye, MN. This will be Jefferson’s third fight in Minnesota and the Illinois banger says he is excited to return.

“Two absolute sluggers who definitely won’t bother to go to the ground” said Bjornberg. “An all action fight is coming”.

Juan Hernandez: I don’t think we’ve ever been on the same card but I have watched my opponent fight twice, both being in Austin where he lost one and won. I expect a stand up fight. He’s a tough opponent so I’m preparing for a three round war. Fans should expect a fast paced slug-fest but in MMA, anything can happen. Training camps are always tough. The grueling process of hard work then repeat day in and day out. You always want to emulate a fight so sparring wars are unavoidable and fun. This time around we had a full roster starting off. It was the best start we’ve had in years but injuries like most gym tend to happen. As our number of fighters dwindled down the intensity did not. The added pressure to perform for your hometown has kept us motivated! Ever since King of the Cage came through many years ago, I’ve always wanted to fight at Jackpot mostly because it was local. I’ve fought in five different states and in many events that were two or more hours away. This is truly an opportunity that I’ve wanted and worth coming back for. I don’t want to fully close the door on fighting after this fight but I will say that it would take something special or rare occasion for another one. But before any such talk can occur,first things first. I have to get married first this summer. Hope everyone enjoys the show its going to Epic!

Nico Jefferson: I’ve done some homework on him and he’s a good fighter. I always love to fight in Minnesota and I used to live there. I don’t know all that much about him but I’m excited and ready for whatever at this point. Training camp for me is really just a lifestyle at this pointing in my career. I’ve been doing this so much and for so long that I’m always prepared and that’s helped me to be able to take as many short notice fights as I’ve taken. This is a new venue at the Jackpot Casino. I fought at the hotel show a couple of times so I’m interested to see how this one’s gonna play out.

An exciting 125 pound flyweight rematch rounds out the professional fights of the night between Jason Huntley and Eric Kemper. The first fight between the two took place in 2016 and was a back and forth war which Huntley won by split decision. Bjornberg says this will be a battle between two good wrestlers. Both men asked for the fight and had a full camp to prepare. Watch the first fight HERE.

Jason Huntley: I’m expecting a barn burner so I’m curious to see if Eric can keep up. I’m in awesome shape and haven’t felt this strong in a long long time. Camp has been different for me because work was extremely busy this year. I changed up my schedule and had to do a lot of evening training. My son Chael has spent a lot of nights at the Academy with me rolling, playing and generally having a good time with my coaches and teammates. Having him so close through this camp has been a huge motivator for me. I want to that my sponsors and my teammates for this push. We have another up and comer on the card with me as well. His name is Adamu, keep your eyes on this kid….seriously don’t blink!

Eric Kemper: I’m expecting a very high pace fight with a little more on the feet but its most likely going every where! Jason is a very tough guy and respectful. A little over three years ago we fought and he won by slit decision. I don’t think its going to be that way this time. I’m not the same guy I was three years ago. They are going to see a fight for sure. Training camp for this fight was more focused on wrestling and  jiu jitsu. A lot of grinding everyday so there was a few ups and downs but all around it was a great camp! I’m coming there to win and I hope you are ready for whats coming!

Mecca XV MMA
Jackpot Junction

November 15 – Driller Promotions – Morton, MN

Professional Main Event

Featherweight Title Fight

Angel Pacheco (1-0) Start BJJ vs Sam Hernandez (2-1) Fight Squad 145 *

Co Main Event

Nico Jefferson (1-1) Genesis vs Juan Hernandez (1-0) Fight Squad 155*

Jason Huntley (6-8) Academy vs Eric Kemper (3-7) 125 *

Amateur

Jonah Ruby (2-4) Valhalla vs Henry Pendleton (2-1) Revolution 177#

Thomas Jasinski (1-2) Genesis vs Vicente Flores Jr (1-0)  Fight Squad155 *

Adamu A. Isah (0-0) Academy vs  Alex Rodriguez (1-4) FightSquad 135 *

James Norris (2-2) St Cloud Boxing vs John Loeken (6-3) Heavyweight *

Jeremiah Harper (2-1) Off the Grid BJJ vs Ricky Field (3-2) Impact 135 *

Danyal Majeed (0-1) Independent/Valhalla vs David Hurrelbrink (1-0) ATT 135 *

Trever Schultz (0-0) E.R. Academy  vs Jonathan Zavala (0-0) Rothwell MMA 135 *