MMA in Red Stick

• By MATT RAMSAY
• Special to 2theadvocate.com
• Published: Jun 24, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:49 p.m.

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As Tim Credeur anxiously awaited getting out of the house and returning home from “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show, home team Gladiator teammates Kyle Bradley and Rich Clementi were preparing for their next fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Tony Jarreau, owner of Gladiators Academy, located at 9774 Florida Blvd. in Baton Rouge, has built one of the most respected Mixed Martial Arts training centers in the nation in just two and a half years. Four fighters from Louisiana have fought in the UFC. Three of the four -- Credeur, Bradley and Clementi -- currently train full time at the academy.

Also, such UFC veterans as Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk and Rich “Ace” Franklin, both former UFC champions, have made stops in Baton Rouge to train at Gladiators Academy.

Credeur had a successful run on “The Ultimate Fighter.” He not only became the first pick by Team Forrest and Coach Forrest Griffin, but of the 32 original fighters, Credeurs was among those who made his way into the final four.

Bradley has won seven out of his last eight fights and is preparing for a fight in the UFC in September. He is looking to get back in the winner’s bracket after his UFC debut loss to Chris Lytle.

Bradley took the fight on short notice after another fighter dropped out because of injury. He jumped at the chance to get in the UFC arena, the Octagon, and battle, even after he severely injured his knee.

Things have never looked more promising for Clementi, the most active veteran fighter in Louisiana. He recently started three businesses, had a baby boy and won six straight fights in the Octagon.

Clementi is also respected for many things in and out of the Octagon. He served eight years in the Navy working in the Construction Battalion (Seabees) unit and compiled one of the most impressive records in the lightweight division with 32-12-1.

Melvin “The Assassin” Guillard is the fourth Louisiana fighter in the UFC. In fact, he might be one of the most exciting fighters in all of the UFC to watch. Even though Guillard’s lightning-quick moves may make for exciting first-round finishes, they are not always in his favor. If the young “Assassin’s” mind can catch up with the speed of his body on a consistent basis, he may one day become the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Guillard is slated for his next bout at UFC 86, which will be held Saturday, July 5.

Jarreau said he is excited about the talent developing in his academy.

“We have to travel around and out of state to find quality competition. We are no longer being challenged like we were locally,” Jarreau said.

With a new gym operated by Clementi in Slidell, it appears we can expect much more of the same talent and competitive spirit to come out of our state and even our area.