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| Name: |  Kyle Cerminara |
| Nickname: | -- |
| Age: | 28 |
| Height: | 6'0" |
| Location: |
Philadelphia, PA |
The long, arduous journey of becoming a world-class wrestler is likely one of the most grueling goals, both physically and mentally, that anyone could ever attempt to accomplish. For Pennsylvania's Kyle Cerminara (2-0), the journey ultimately led to the biggest letdown of his life, but as the old adage says - as one door closes, another door opens.
The 2004 NCAA Division I All-American tried to create a dream of Olympic glory when he moved to Colorado in 2007-2008 to train at the U.S. Olympic training center. It nearly paid off, placing second at both the 2009 Pan-American Championships and U.S. Open. Unfortunately for Kyle, he was never able to attain a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, only earning a consolation prize of an alternate position on the world team.
Three years later, Cerminara is now an assistant wrestling coach at the University of Pennsylvania. At 28 years old, however, he didn't feel it was too late to take advantage of what wrestling could do for him in the sport of mixed martial arts.
Following his debut victory over Ariel Sepulveda at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 7 in April, Cerminara won Bellator's open tryouts at Daddis Fight Camps' Cherry Hill gym in New Jersey. Not exactly a shocking revelation when you consider Cerminara's vast background in wrestling, but it is nonetheless impressive considering his novice status in the sport.
Cerminara followed up the tryout with a win over John Doyle at a Locked in the Cage event in August, once again utilizing his smothering wrestling skills to win on the scorecards. As one would expect, Cerminara relies heavily on his athleticism and know-how in the wrestling department to crush his opponents. He's a sizeable light heavyweight fighter with brute strength and excellent conditioning. His only flaw is his lack of knowledge in the ground arts, specifically in the submission game.
That could all change under the guidance of Relson Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts Phil and Ricardo Migliarese. The brothers run Balance Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and they are a pivotal piece to helping Cerminara obtain the skills he needs to succeed this year. If Cerminara can add a savvy submission game to his arsenal, fans may be comparing him to Chris Weidman by the end of the 2012, possibly earning him a shot in one of Bellator's coveted tournaments.
Unfortunately, there is only wrestling footage of Cerminara that's easily available. If you happen to be a GFL.tv customer, you can access Cerminara's debut.
| Flyweight | Bantamweight | Featherweight | Lightweight |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - #5 - #6 - #7 - #8 - #9 - #10 - |
#1 - Rony Mariano #2 - Aljamain Sterling #3 - Chris Holdsworth #4 - Josh Hill #5 - Fabiano Fernandes #6 - Claudio Ledesma #7 - Sirwan Kakai #8 - Kyoji Horiguchi #9 - Leandro Hygo #10 - Pedro Munhoz |
#1 - Hacran Dias #2 - Joey Gambino #3 - Brandon Bender #4 - Lance Palmer #5 - Jim Alers #6 - Anthony Gutierrez #7 - Max Holloway #8 - John Teixeira #9 - Cody Bollinger #10 - Bubba Jenkins |
#1 - Fabricio Guerreiro #2 - Alessandro Ferreira #3 - Adriano Martins #4 - Justin Salas #5 - Neilson Gomes #6 - Eduard Folayang #7 - Zorobabel Moreira #8 - Anton Kuivanen #9 - Jordan Rinaldi #10 - J.P. Vainikainen |
| Welterweight | Middleweight | Light Heavyweight | Heavyweight |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 - Andrey Koreshkov #2 - Dhiego Lima #3 - Brandon Thatch #4 - Nordine Taleb #5 - Hernani Perpetuo #6 - Brock Jardine #7 - Alan Jouban #8 - Mohsen Bahari #9 - Andre Santos #10 - Stephen Thompson |
#1 - Antonio Braga Neto #2 - Marcelo Guimaraes #3 - Claudio Silva #4 - Bojan Velickovic #5 - Ildemar Alcantara #6 - Michal Materla #7 - Elvis Mutapcic #8 - Tor Troeng #9 - Jack Hermansson #10 - Tim Ruberg |
#1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - #5 - Kyle Cerminara #6 - Robert Drysdale #7 - Artur Alibulatov #8 - Thiago Perpetuo #9 - Steve Bosse #10 - Juha Saarinen |
#1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - #5 - #6 - #7 - #8 - #9 - #10 - |
1 recs | 23 comments
This seems like a curious pick for this high in the list.
He only has 2 fights, both against Middleweights with losing records and he didn’t finish either guy. You say “His only flaw is his lack of knowledge in the ground arts,” but that doesn’t appear to be true. For example, can he strike at all? If not, that would be a big flaw in my eyes. I fully appreciate his wrestling pedigree but that’s just not enough anymore.
I think you guys do a great job on these and I’m not aiming to be a contrarian. I’d just like to know what you see in this guy that I don’t.
POW - January 18, 2012
Striking is a problem, but I think the combination of an impressive wrestling base on top of the possibility of gaining a legit submission game takes priority. The combination of those two skills can take Cerminara a long way, even as far as the middle-tier of the UFC’s light heavyweight division. Chris Weidman is proof.
I didn’t expect anyone to see our logic, but I’m convinced Cerminara will pan out to be much more than Drysdale ever will be. Cerminara has the added upside of incredible conditioning, work ethic, and strength. He has brutally powerful ground and pound. He simply needs guidance in how to defend against grapplers and position himself correctly to deliver those blows. I’d give it time.
Leland Roling - January 19, 2012
Interesting - so this is sort of a gamble on your part.
I have no problem with you going with your gut on this one. My gut tells me he won’t pan out, but I have been wrong before (see Sonnen, Chael).
POW - January 19, 2012
I wouldn’t say my gut. Historically, Jiu-Jitsu specialists haven’t fared well at the upper reaches. There are exceptions obviously, and there is room to improve, especially in the striking department, for Drysdale. But wrestlers of Cerminara’s pedigree are far more likely to succeed. I’ll go with percentages over “gut” feelings.
Leland Roling - January 19, 2012
Not me.
I run on pure instinct. Statistics and logic be damned.
POW - January 19, 2012
Ahead of Drysdale?
Here’s an even more pointed question: Why would you rank this kid over Drysdale who is arguably a better grappler who has more fights and who has spent more time working with elite mixed martial artists? No knock on Cerminara, I just don’t see how he ranks higher than Drysdale.
fight culture - January 18, 2012
I agree with this
Charles Awad - January 18, 2012
i would agree....
But i am Team Balance as well. So i am honor bound to be supportive.
the-gentle-way - January 18, 2012 via mobile
I'm not trying to rob him of any support
And his wrestling pedigree affords him a ton of upside. I just like Drysdale more.
Charles Awad - January 19, 2012
Obviously, any assessment is biased, but I don’t see what the big deal is about Drysdale. History suggests he won’t pan out. Cerminara, in my mind, has far more upside. Excellent wrestling, endless cardio, brute strength, and a training team filled with world-class grappling talent.
Leland Roling - January 19, 2012
I could give you a very intresting list of world champions phil beats like he is Neo in the matrix. Those guys are top tier.
the-gentle-way - January 19, 2012 via mobile
Who is Phil?
Leland Roling - January 19, 2012
Migliarese.
Ben Thapa - January 19, 2012
Oh, yeah...
I thought you were referring to someone else.
Leland Roling - January 20, 2012
You guys often side more with wrestlers and strikers than pure grapplers when all things are equal (remember our Gunnar dispute?). That’s fine if it’s your inclination. I’d bet good money in a heartbeat on Drysdale subbing Cerminara if they fought today. And holy hell, how can you overlook the people Drysdale trains with?
Charles Awad - January 19, 2012
What Gunnar dispute? We ranked him low because we knew he wouldn’t be fighting any time soon. I was told at the time he wasn’t going to return until 2012.
As for your other comments, it’s all opinion and I’m going to refrain from commenting. I think we’re right, and we were more right than not last year when conflicts like this came up.
Leland Roling - January 19, 2012
Back to this shit..
Alright dude. You’re right and I’m wrong. You really hate discerning opinion, don’t you?
Charles Awad - January 19, 2012
I don’t get it. I said I think we’re right. You think we were wrong. That’s fine. It’s opinion.
I still don’t see what the dispute over Gunnar was though. We didn’t want to rank him high when he wasn’t going to fight, period.
Leland Roling - January 20, 2012
This isn’t untrue. We do often side more with wrestlers and grapplers. I don’t remember the Gunnar dispute though. Remind me?
Leland Roling - January 20, 2012
Err, strikers.
Leland Roling - January 20, 2012
This guy literally taught me how to finish a double leg when I was 13
I am now compelled to watch Bellator.
Andy Anderson - January 18, 2012
Near Olympic level wrestler
Plus freak athlete? You guys can take Drysdale, I like the placement.
Stiff Jab - January 19, 2012
Sherdog has him at 185?
Did he fight there at some point or is that a mistake?
Tag01 - January 29, 2012
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