SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sanford Health is sponsoring and supporting a new team of mixed martial artists comprised of world champions and up-and-coming fighters to provide the science, technology and training methods needed to maximize performance, as well as implement injury reduction and recovery methods.
Athletes involved with Sanford Mixed Martial Arts include current UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, former Bellator Lightweight World Champion Michael Chandler, current Bellator Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader, former UFC Welterweight Champion Robbie Lawler, former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold and South Dakota wrestling legend Logan Storley.
Sanford Health physician Brad Reeves, M.D., serves as the athletes’ exclusive medical director and physician. Reeves has worked with MMA athletes for years in addition to serving as team physician for the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University.
“Sanford Health is in a position to provide world-class athletes world-class health care in all phases of their careers,” said Reeves. “Working with these mixed martial artists will allow experts from Sanford Health to diagnose, treat and prevent injuries related to this sport and others.”
The Sanford Sports Science Institute has been actively involved in a mixed martial arts concussion study that aims to provide standardized protocol for fighters returning to competition following a concussion or brain injury. Additionally, the Sports Science Institute is exploring how the sport of mixed martial arts lends itself to further research projects related to performance, hydration, injury prevention and more.
“Having Dr. Reeves and Sanford Health in my corner makes me more confident when the bell sounds,” said Lawler. “The expertise and care they provide is world class and have made a huge difference in my preparation and recovery.”
Sanford Health is also collaborating with world-renowned strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis to help athletes optimize performance through training at the BARWIS Performance Center in Deerfield, Florida. Barwis has trained thousands of collegiate, Olympic and professional athletes in more than 40 sporting events and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS) and Registered Strength and Conditioning Coach Emeritus (RSCC*E).
Also involved with the team: brain-health group NeuroSport, veteran coach Henri Hooft and agent Dave Martin.
The Sanford Pentagon has hosted various mixed martial arts events since 2014, including Bellator 204 in August 2018. Bader and Storley have participated in Hy-Vee/Sanford Legends hosting wrestling clinics.
Sanford Mixed Martial Arts TeamVitor Belfort – One FCAdam Borics – BellatorDerek Brunson – UFCGilbert Burns – UFCHerbert Burns – UFCMichael Chandler – BellatorKeeman Diop – GloryAndre Fialho – PFLMarcel Fortuna – Titan/BJJ CoachJason Jackson – BellatorDeMarques Jackson – LFAMichael Johnson – UFCAung La Nsang – One FCRobbie Lawler – UFCNike Lentz – UFCAnge Loosa – TitanVicente Luque – UFCMatt Mittrione – BellatorOmar Morales – UFCSteve Mowry – BellatorMartin Nguyen – One FCShamil Nikaev – UFCIsmail Naurdiev – UFCTyler Ray – LFADanny Roberts – UFCLuke Rockhold – UFCSaul Rogers – BellatorTakashi Sato – UFCChas Skelly – UFCLogan Storley – BellatorGeo Tokkos – BellatorChristian Torres – TitanCaio Uruguai – TitanKamaru Usman – UFCRobin Van Roosmalen – BellatorLinton Vassell – BellatorTial Zathang – One FC
CoachesHenri HooftGreg JonesKami Barzini
Sanford-sponsored fightersRyan Bader – BellatorDarrion Caldwell – BellatorMichael Chandler – BellatorLogan Storley – BellatorLuke Rockhold – UFCRobbie Lawler – UFC
