(PRESS RELEASE) -- The "shutout" is coming, Mile High citizens. Jarred Mercado (11-1) AKA "shutout" squares off in a bantamweight title eliminator against Jake Klemme (10-2). Both talented fighters make their Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) debut on July 25 at the 1ST Bank Center in Broomfield, Co. live on AXS TV.
Soon after, Mercado started training while juggling his daytime job but after having a talk with his coaches, realized, "If you want to make it to the highest levels, you can't do both. You can't work nine hours in an office and then prepare for a great fighter. It's not conducive to being elite at your sport."
After his epiphany, Mercado saved up money, shed the corporate job and, "I decided to make a serious run at MMA." -- and now Mercado lives a Spartan lifestyle. A competitor devoted to his craft. "There's no marriage. No kids. That's what enables me to live this lifestyle as a professional fighter."
Training out of Elevation Fight Team, the "shutout" is ready for any opponent pitted against him. That opponent? A Miletich Fighting Systems disciple out of Davenport, Iowa: Jake Klemme, who brandishes a 10-2 record and a 5-fight win streak, all by stoppage.
With the UFC's finger firmly on the RFA's pulse, Mercado realizes the opportunity and his task at hand, "This is a big opportunity for me. Six RFA champions have gone to the UFC but there's not more incentive for me to win. I already have the incentive to win. This is everything to me. I put my life into MMA."
Mercado added, "People ask me on a pretty regular basis, 'When are you going to the UFC?' and now I have a more specific answer. I can control my own destiny. RFA has a great relationship with the UFC and if I do well, I'll get called up to the UFC."
And against an elite fighter like Jake Klemme? The "shutout" calmly stated, "I'll spend the next few weeks tailoring my style to Klemme's style. There's going to be some nuances based on my opponent but everyday I'm trying to get myself ready. I have to keep working on being sharp and prepared for anything that happens in the cage."
Touting an impressive 11-1 record, Jarred Mercado, a hometown hero, brings an extensive repertoire of skills to cage, anchored by his collegiate wrestling. "I will definitely use my wrestling because it got me to this point and to even bigger things -- but I have a lot of skills that I haven't used yet and it will surprise some people," Mercado claims. And after a "shutout" at RFA 16, the entire Bantamweight division will surely take notice of the skilled and rising Jarred Mercado.
RFA 16 - Copeland vs. Jorgensen will be televised live on AXS TV starting at 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT on Friday, July 25th. RFA 16 will be the promotion's third event in "The Centennial State" of Colorado and the second in the Mountain States region in 2014. More fights on the RFA 16 main card and preliminary card will be announced soon. Please visit RFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. RFA is also on Facebook at Facebook.com/RFAfighting, Instagram at @RFAfighting, and Twitter at @RFAfighting.
About RFA: RFA is a professional mixed martial arts promotion that gives rising stars and top contenders the opportunity to prove their talent to fans and leaders in the industry. The RFA presents up to 10 fights annually around the United States including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Denver and Milwaukee. RFA can be seen live in over 40 million homes nationally through its television deal with AXS TV. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, RFA is one of the most active and respected MMA organizations in the fastest growing sport in the world. (The Octagon, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, UFC®, and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC. All rights reserved).
About AXS TV Fights: AXS TV Fights is renowned for its universally recognized Friday Night Mixed Martial Arts and Kickboxing events. As Your Home For MMA, AXS TV utilizes an expansive network of promotions from the United States, Canada, and Europe. And Asia to broadcast more LIVE fights than any other television network. "The Voice" Michael Schiavello and five-time MMA world-champion Pat Miletich provide viewers expert play-by-play, in-depth fighter coverage, and extensive analysis to each fight card. AXS TV broadcasts world-class LIVE fight events from RFA, Lion Fight, Legacy FC, and MFC every Friday night at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.