By CFL Publicity Department
Imagine a world that many desire to conquer but few dare to tread, where 55’rs fear to cut and 25’rs find themselves outsized. A foreboding landscape with war gods named Cruz, Faber and Bowles. Welcome to the world of the Bantamweight. Often called one of the most stacked divisions in the sport, Colorado’s own Ryan Axtell seeks to leave his indelible mark at 135.
Paying Dues
A 7-3 pro veteran of the Colorado Mixed Martial Arts scene, Ryan has been diligently fighting an uphill battle for respect and recognition since early 2007. “I come from the Arkansas Valley a small farm community in the Southeast part of the state and it’s hard for me to get the same exposure guys from the big cities do,” stated Axtell. To that end, he would often find himself the out of town “mark” for the local fighters in the major markets. States Ryan, “Over the years I’ve pissed off a lot of hometown crowds who came to see their fan favorite beat up the country boy.” Often out skilled and outsized in those days, Ryan bested many opponents using only a combination of wrestling base, pure physicality and a gut wrenching resolve that worked well and often. However back to back losses against respected competitors in Mike Baldwin and WEC veteran Ox Wheeler left him wondering about his chances of competing at the higher levels. “I basically had to start making better training decisions for myself, I knew I had the heart and made a promise that I would seek out the skills to match.” Axtell soon became a fixture in the Denver and Northern Colorado gym scene soaking up as much knowledge as he could and eventually along with friend James Gallegos they established a small training camp called Valley Heights in their hometown of La Junta for both Ryan to train and to provide opportunities for local kids who had ideas of pursuing the same dream. The formula seemed to be paying off as Axtell, seemingly reinvigorated began his road to comeback glory by putting together a string of early 1st round victories and knockouts that could only be described as unadulterated violence.
Today
With growing responsibilities, a family and new baby on the way Ryan Axtell became increasingly tethered closer to home. In search of a gym with less travel time involved and under the advisement of a friend he sought out Gabe Charboneau’s Pacific Warrior in Pueblo, he’s glad he did. “The guys there treat me like family, and who knew after looking all over the state that I would find some of the best training there,.” This statement was punctuated during his next bout with Bellator veteran Chad Vandenberg which ended early via a vicious left hook/ TKO combination, a tool that was previously unknown in his arsenal. As the 28 year old small town underdog from La Junta Colorado trudges on where others fear to tread one thing remains clear, Ryan Axtell means business.. War Gods beware.
From Left Mayhem promoter Don Martinez Torres and Kuya
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