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July 6, 2012
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Corpsman making pro debut with MMA fight in Biloxi By Janet Thomas Gosport Staff Writer
HM2 Michael Roberts has a busy schedule. When he is not on duty at the Naval Hospital Pensacola branch clinic at NATTC, he is hitting the books to complete his bachelor’s degree in healthcare management through Southern Illinois University. Roberts, 24, also makes time for mixed martial arts training. The 5-foot-6-inch featherweight, who has been making his mark in the amateur ranks since 2009, will take the next step July 14 with his first professional fight at IP Casino Resort in Biloxi, Miss. Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact combat sport that
allows the use of boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, kickboxing, taekwondo, judo and other styles. Roberts, who grew up in Louisville, Ky., said his training started with taekwondo at age 8. He has been in the Navy for six years and completed tours in Japan, Cuba, Virginia and Camp Pendeleton in California before reporting to NHP in 2009. He is excited about his first pro match. “I have always had that as my goal to shoot for when I got ready,” he said. Roberts says his coaches and teammates have helped him get ready for this fight. He earned a blue belt under Brazilian jiu-jitsu master Adriano Lucio, but he uses judo and other techniques.
“Kickboxing is my strongpoint,” he said. As an amateur, Roberts has had six wins, three by technical knockouts, two by unanimous decision and one by submission. His one loss was by split decision. In Biloxi, he is scheduled to fight current Atlas Fights featherweight champ Jason Knight. It will not be a title fight, but it is a huge opportunity, said Atlas Fight President Glenn Mattina. “This fight can absolutely put Mike in title contention,” Mattina said. There are several fights on the schedule and ticket prices range from $25 to $100 before processing fees. For more information, call, 1 (228) 860-5015 or go to www.atlasfight.com.
Michael Roberts (right) takes directions from referee Josh Rutgers during an amateur mixed martial arts match in Pensacola in February 2011. Roberts won the match by a TKO. Photo by Timothy Saul Van Der Like