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Mr. Brook’s Muay Thai Debut

Dressed in his blue LINXX Academy Gi, Dan Brooks extends a hand out to 5 year old Dylan. She’s accustomed to this and happily gives him a high five. Mr. Brooks has been a part of the LINXX Academy family for over 15 years now and earned his place as the head Muay Thai Instructor. On February 13, however, Mr. Brooks entered Elite Fighting Challenge (EFC) 6’s cage and emerged with a different title. Dan Brooks, instructor, was now a victorious fighter of EFC 6’s Muay Thai Bout.

Dan got wind of the competition six weeks before the event and began his training immediately. With the help of Frank Cucci Jr., Brooks followed a rigorous Gym Jones workout routine three days a week and continued to train with the LINXX Academy competition team in the evenings. He devoted his time out of the gym to 3-5 mile runs and sprint work. All the while, maintaining responsibilities to LINXX Academy and his students. This intense workout schedule contributed to Brook’s final official weight at 158.4 qualifying the fighter for his 160 lb bout.

The first fight of his life became the first fight of the evening at Siegal Center in Richmond, VA. Mr. Brooks extended his hands out. His opponent, Tin Nguyen, did not receive a high five but a hard jab onto the head. Several hits later, he stumbled into Brooks’ kicks and it became clear that it was to be a tough fight for the Mixed Martial Arts Institute fighter. As Nguyen brought Brooks into a clinch in the second round, he received several swift knees to the rib. Nguyen’s attempts to back out of the clinch provided him a knee into the face. A few cut kicks into the leg and connecting jabs later, Nguyen is fluttering and out of breath. Dan’s aggression drove Tin to the floor and he made his way back into the corner. It’s the final round and clearly worn out, Nguyen approached Brooks only to find himself slammed into the cage and pummeled knee after knee. Dominance in the clinch earned Dan Brooks the win with a unanimous 30-26 decision.

Team LINXX was proud to welcome Brooks back home as an established Muay Thai victor of the ring. Brooks was happy to return to his students and diet. Jeremy Ridgeway, founder of the EFC, was asked what he looks for in a fighter. He responded, “Heart and proper training. If a fighter has those two things they can accomplish great things.” LINXX Academy is glad to say that it is clear Mr. Brooks has plenty of heart and excited that the proper training has helped him win the first of, hopefully, many great fights.