Recently in Jay Haas Category

I tell ya, man, it's great to see martial artists in York County and the surrounding area getting together, training and learning from each other. My co-worker Tom Joyce, whose taken a great deal of martial arts over the years, always recalls the squabbling he used to witness and hear about between schools and martial arts masters. It makes you wonder why petty differences couldn't be put aside for the greater good.

George "Phoenix" McGinnis of York Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Red Lion has been at the vanguard of the MMA cross-pollination in York County and beyond, and a recent facebook post by him illustrates this:

"Had a good work out last night. Hit up Blackman's MMA (in Harrisburg) for some mat time with their fighters and then bounced on over to Jay's (Haas' academy in Lewisberry) to work in with their wrestling team. The beauty behind association and comraderie is that everyone generally wins. Hell, just last night I noticed 2 - 3 wrestling techniques at Jay's that I am going to start drilling as early as today to incorporate into my own game..."

As a source of inspiration, I also asked George about how he got his nickname:

"It was decided upon by a couple of friends a good ways back due to my uncanny ability to bounce back from any bad situation. Example: I would be in a match where I was down numerous points and unlikely to recover, and then out of no where I would spark enough energy or motion to escape / reverse the position and or submit my opponent from an unlikely angle."

"An example of how it applies to me off the mat is again my ability to bounce back from a bad situation, or what I often refer to as 'rock bottom'. I have hit rock bottom a handful of times in my life. I have made mistakes that have cost me dearly. I have said and done things that I was certain I would never be able to redeem, but like the Phoenix, its old physical form perishes in the ashes of its self-made pyre and a new emerges stronger and healthier then ever. To me, the Phoenix represents redemption, a fresh start and perhaps a new lease on life..."

Just found this on MMAMelee, the best damn MMA social networking site. Jim Hettes vs. Jay Haas - dayum! And Randy Smith is on the card, which means we'll probably be seeing Tamdan "The Barn Cat" McCrory in town again.

George McGinnis, head trainer at York Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Red Lion, sent me this pic of his brother, Brett Myers, facing camera, training with Jay Haas. In the photo, Brett has the Muay Thai clinch on Jay, meanwhile Jay is swimming his right hand inside to try to counter with a clinch of his own (I'm guessing).

Myers trains at YMMAA and Jay trains at Hanover Academy of MMA, but both schools often train together. Both Brett and Jay are on the card at Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge in Lancaster on Oct. 23. Jay has a pro fight against Sean Santella and Brett has a title fight - I believe it is the 170-pound championship - against Justin Krebs.

Jerod Phillips of Hanover-based MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep recently uploaded this video on his YouTube channel. Both Walizer and Haas will be on the upcoming Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge III card on Oct. 23 in Lancaster. For tickets, click here.

Just wanted to let everybody know that Jay Haas, a pro fighter with Hanover Academy of MMA, has opened an affilated academy in Lewisberry Pa. at 689 Yorktowne Rd. Jay has fought twice in the Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge, and numerous times in Virginia. He went 4-1 as an amateur, and is now 1-2 as a pro with one no-contest. He is trhe reigning Operation Octagon 145-pound champion. jay is sponsored by Hanover-based mma clothing company Tap or Sleep.

Here are some things about the academy to keep in mind: All non-members pay a 10.00 mat fee before being allowed to participate. Private lessons are available at both locations, (Lewisberry or Hanover at 398 York St. (suite 9), )please contact one of the numbers below for more detailed information. If interested, please feel free to contact: Bob Bitner 717-528-4038, 717-253-5540 or bitnerbob1@embarqmail.com or Jay Haas at 717-315-4276

Here's the schedule for the Lewisberry academy:
Monday - mma 6-8pm

Tuesday - Kickboxing (ladies only) 5-6 pm; mma 6-8 pm, Wrestling 8-9 pm

Wednesday - mma 6-8 pm

Thrusday - Kickboxing (ladies only) 5-6 pm; mma 6-8 pm, wrestling 8-9 pm

Friday - mma 6-8 pm

Saturday Closed

Sunday - wrestling 5-6 pm

Talked with Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep fightwear, who attended last night's The Arena Assault at The Arean in Philadelphia. Phillips, who was there to support Hanover Academy of MMA's Jay Haas, said Jay lost in the second round by guillotine.

But, Jerod said it was evident that Jay's ground game had greatly improved.
"He did fine in the first round; he had some big takedowns," Jerod said. "He wrestled good; that's been somehting that had been missing from his game."

In the second round, Jay scored another big takedown, but, unfortunately, "He kind of got himself in a guillotine," Jerod said.

The way I see it, Jay's only gonna get better, and probably quickly. He's been working regularly with BJJ purple belt George McGinnis of York Mixed Martial Arts Academy and Jerod talked about getting Biff Walizer (local York pro and All-American) to train with Jay some more (the two have trained at George's place before).

Just talked with Jerod Phillips, owner of Tap or Sleep fightwear, an MMA clothing company out of Hanover. He's on his way to Philadelphia for Arena Assault 1 to support one of his sponsored fighters, Jay Haas, who fights out of Hanover Academy of Mixed Martial Arts. Jerod said Jay, accompanied by trainer Bob Bitner, weighed in this morning. Jerod's traveling with Ryan Harder, another great fighter out of Hanover, and George McGinnis of York Mixed Martial Arts Academy, Jay's BJJ coach, is following them, just to give you the whole scenario.

Best of luck to Jay from MMA Explosion. I'll hopefully have an update on the fight later tonight.

Tomorrow night - Friday - Philly plays host once again to MMA, this time at The Arena. There's a lot of local fighters on the card, including Jay Haas, who trains at Hanover Academy of MMA, and who fought on the first two Warrior Challenge events.

Click here to buy tickets.

Pro fights:
Dustin Pague (Hulstine Athletics)vs. Jeff Lentz (Rhino MMA)

Jay Haas (Hanover MMA) vs. Doug Anderson (Rhino MMA)

Jeff Smith (Blackman MMA) vs.Andy Main (AMA Fight Club)

Continuing Bob Bitner's entry on facebook: Then Jay Haas fights in Philadelphia, Aug 21 at Arena Assault:

Forgot to mention that Hanover's Chrissy Adler is also fighting for the interim heavyweight title at Operation Octagon on 8/15:

Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep, a Hanover-based MMA clothing company, said he'll be at today's Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge, to support another of his fighters, Jay Haas.

Although Jay lost his pro debut at the first CPWC by kneebar, he won against Doug Sonier at WKU Warrior Challenge last month by armbar. From all accounts, he's been training like mad, and is one of two pro fights on today's card. Good luck Jay, from all of us at MMA Explosion.

Hanover Academy of MMA's Jay Haas

On the subject of the MMA academies in the area cross-training and helping each other grow, I talked with George McGinnis from York Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Red Lion a couple weeks ago on the subject.

As I had reported before, Jay Haas, from Hanover Academy of MMA, had been training at YMMAA. George gave me an update, saying Jay had been there for the last month or so, stopping by about once a week.

George said his role was to "Help him focus on his already established ground game. ... We're simply helping Jay fine-tune."

A purple belt in BJJ, George said that he had been training stand-up with Hanover trainer Bob Bitner. "Bob is an outstanding coach. I'm really enjoying working with him." George said of Haas, "Jay has good, clean, pure muay Thai."

It looks as though the extra groundfighting training paid off. Although Jay lost his pro debut at CPWC by kneebar, he won against Doug Sonier at WKU Warrior Challenge last month by armbar.

"Thsi kid being only 18, it's disturbing what he's capable of," George said. "Jay is easily one of the coolest kids I've worked with - he's humble, he's modest, he just has a great attitude."

Jay is scheduled to fight on the upcoming Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge II on July 18 - as is George's brother, Brett Myers.

Training at Hanover Academy of MMA.

I talked with Jerod Phillips, owner of Hanover-based Tap or Sleep fightwear, and he told me about a few things going on in the county, MMA-wise:

- Previously, I had written that Casey Bush (whose video is on the player to the right if you haven't noticed) was scheduled to fight for the Barbarian Fight Club in Virginia. According to Jerod, an opponent for Casey could not be found, so the fight was scrapped. Jerod then contacted Dave Klick, who runs Cage of Chaos and Klick matched Casey up for his July 3 event in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

- York County featherweight pro Jay Haas was denied eligibility on the Cage Fest card that I had announced earlier this week. Jay was put on 60-day medical suspension after a knee bar loss at the first Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge. He only has six days left, but rules are rules, and the fight was sceduled for tomorrow night. Haas is still scheduled for the two upcoming Warrior Challenge events, in the Poconos on June 26 and York Township on July 18

- One of Jay's teammates at Hanover Academy of MMA, Ryan Harder, has a fight on July 11 on the Barbarian Fight Club's Field of Glory card. His opponent has yet to be named. And, on the same card, in the super heavyweight division, Hanover Academy's Chrissy Adler takes on Chris "The Black Demon" Lyles ,

Heard from Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep fightwear, who told me that Jay Haas, featherweight fighter out of Hanover Academy of MMA, took a fight on short notice this weekend.

The fight's going to be at CageFest in Richmond, Va., for its "Up Rise" event at the Showplace Exhibition Center, 3000 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA.

Jay is on his way to earning the nickname "Iron Man", with fights scheduled at the WKU Warrior Challenge on June 26 and the Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge II at Wisehaven in York Township on July 18.

Good luck, Jay, from all of us at MMA Explosion!

Jerod Phillips, owner of Tap or Sleep fightwear, went down to take a look at some of his guys as they trained at George McGinnis' York Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Red Lion on Wednesday night. Featured are lightweight pros Biff Walizer from LionHeart Fighters, and featherweight pro Jay Haas from Hanover Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, in addition to Casey Bush, who makes his amateur debut in Virginia later this month. Nice work, guys.

One of York County's best prospects, Jay Haas, makes his pro MMA debut at Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge. Jay was aggressive and showed great technique, but fell to a kneebar. According to Jay's trainer, Bob Bitner, the kneebar aggravated an old injury, and Jay left the cage with his knee wrapped. But, since then, Jay's gotten back to training, and is expected to be on the next CPWC card.

Great shot of Jay by York County photographer Greg Starner. To log on to Greg's Web site, click here.

There have been some changes to the card for the state's FIRST EVER MMA event, so if you're interested, click here to see the entire card.

There's a total of 17 fights, with two pro fights: LionHeart Fighters' Biff Walizer vs. Rob Guriano, and making his pro debut, Hanover's Jay Haas vs.William Childs. The pro fights are three 5-minute rounds; the amateur fights are three 2-minute rounds.

Just spoke with Mark Jovich, promoter of the Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge. With the event less than two weeks away, the card's pretty such solidified and all the fighters are ready to go, he said.

Mark talked about a few of the fights. In a fight that was supposed to happen last year, York County's Biff Walizer takes on Rob "Rhino" Guriano.

Biff fights out of LionHeart Fighters in State College and is sponsored by Tap or Sleep Fightwear.

The second pro fight on the card - and with both fighters making their pro debuts - are Hanover Aacdemy of Mixed Martial Arts' Jay Haas taking on William Childs.

Haas has had great success fighting in Virginia on its amateur circuit, winning a belt recently at Operation Octagon. Jovich said Childs is Georgia's all-time winningest high school wrestler.

"That's gonna be a good one," Jovich said of the Haas-Childs fight. "The kid (Childs) just fought Friday night," and lost by split decision.

Then there's York County's Mike Oberdick versus Williamsport's Louis "The Beast" Rumsey.

"Oberdick's a beast too," Jovich said.

Two more fights Jovich was excited about were Central Pennsylvania Martial Arts Academy's Justin Scott fighting Bret Evans and Hanover MMA's Ryan Heflin vs. Ray Eltringham.

Jovich said there are still a few tickets left at the Warrior Challenge's Web site.

The event takes place at Wisehaven Banquet Hall. Weigh-ins start at 10 a.m. and the fights begin at 2 p.m.

Jay walking to the cage at Operation Octagon on the way to winning the fetaherwieght title.

Jay Haas, a Hanover Academy of MMA fighter, won the featherweight title at Operation Octagon this past weekend.

Jay, who is sponsored by York-based MMA clothing company, Tap or Sleep fightwear, won the 3-round battle by split decision, 2-1.

Here's some photos sent to me by Bob Bitner, head trainer at Hanover Academy of MMA:

Jerod Phillips, Bob Bitner, Jay Haas, and Zach Bitner.

Jay with the new gold.

And some from Jerod Phillips, owner of Tap or Sleep:

Jay pre-fight psych-up.

Bob Bitner, Jay and Zach Bitner after the fight.

Time to relax and drink it in.

Here's an email I received from Bob Bitner of Hanover Academy of MMA:

Jay Haas now holds the featherweight title at Operation Octagon. The first round was very action-packed, constantly flipping back and forth, with Jay coming out on top. The second round was just as intense, with Jay pulling it out with a few leg kicks and some elbows from the mount. The third round went right to the mat, and Justin gained control with the side mount, clearly winning that round. After three grueling five-minute rounds, where each fighter gave it their all, the fight ended in a very tight split decision. This resulted in Jay's fourth win and earned him the honor of holding the belt for the featherweight division.

This is now the fifth title for Hanover Academy of MMA. We are very proud of our accomplishments this far, and look forward to what the future brings.

The next event scheduled for Hanover MMA is April 11,2009 - Onslaught Fights in Winchester, Va. at the Winchester Sportsplex.

Nate Vantassel - 170lbs.

Steve Kauffman-185lbs.

We are also looking into the possibility of making the card for the April 19,2009 show in York, Pa.

Congrats to Jay the Champ and to the whole crew at Hanover. Time to get a bigger trophy case at the academy! And let's not forget Jay's sponsor,Tap or Sleep fightwear, straight out of York by way of Mr. Jerod Phillips. I'll have photos up in a day or so.

York County fighter Jay Haas, who is sponsored by Tap or Sleep and trains at Hanover Aacdemy of Mixed Martial Arts is fighting for the Operation Octagon 145-pound title this weekend. Haas fought last month and won in the first round. Good luck, Jay, from MMA Explosion!

Jay Haas, one of the top fighters out of Hanover Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, won his fight this weekend, according to Jay's sponsor, Jerod Phillips, who runs local MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep fightwear.

Here's what Jerod wrote in an email:
"Jay won in 1:53 seconds of round one. Jay took his guy down and mounted and opened up a can of ground and pound. He used real nice heavy hips to stay in mount and finished the fight with well placed fists."
Bob Bitner (Hanover's head trainer) is seen wrapping Jay's hands:

I was over at Hooters of York for UFC 93 and talked with a few of the guys from Hanover Academy of Mixed Martial Arts -- Ryan, Jay, Nate and George. They are a great group of guys who have achieved a great deal of success in a short amount of time in Hanover.

If you've read this blog before, you'd know the Hanover team regularly goes down to Virginia to fight. All the guys fight amateur, but the fights in Virginia use UFC-type rules - not Genesis rules. That means no headgear, kick pads and big, soft gloves. That means strikes, including elbows, on the ground, kicks to the head, knees to the head, are all allowed.

At least two of the guys plan to turn pro later this year, while another two, I think, are on the card as amateurs that will take place in York once the rules and regs. go through. Rest assured, MMA Explosion will be following these guys in the months to come.

Bob Bitner, head trainer at Hanover Academy of Mixed Martial Arts told me about some upcoming fights for his guys.

On December 6, 135-pound fighter Jay Haas, and 170-pound fighter Brad Herrick will fight at Operation Octagon in Manassas, Va.

The next week, Hanover's super-heavyweight, Chrissy Adler, will fight at the Barbarian Fight Club in Louisa, Va.

Good luck guys, bring back some wins to York County!

In this photo from the GFC - Warriors Collide event in September, Jay Haas (in black shorts) stands with his medal for winning that night. Hanover's Ryan Harder is to the left.Thanks to Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep for the photo.

Bob Bitner, head instructor at Hanover Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, brought two of his fighters to Total Cage Combat in Richmond, Va. on Saturday.

Jay Haas engaged in a ground battle with his opponent, in what Bitner called "back and forth, a very close fight."

In the third round, Haas tapped out to a rear-naked choke, Bitner said.

Ryan Harder added another title to his trophy case, taking home the TCC featherweight championship, Bitner said. The fight was over quick - one punch from Harder knocked his opponent out at the :17 mark.

"I'm happy and I'm sad," Bitner said of his team's performance. Congrats to both Haas and harder for giving it their all in their fights.

powered by ODEO
Back with a vengeance, Tom and I had a special guest this week, George McGinnis, owner and trainer at York Mixed Martial Arts Academy. The three of us break down the Kimbo fight and subsequent fall-out, as well as how York fighters did at Gladiator Fight Club. George added some great (and much-needed) insight into the fight game, rather than just a couple schmoes like Tom and me talking.

Haas (in black shorts) with his medal after winning at GFC - Warriors Collide. Hanover's Ryan Harder is to the left.Thanks to Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep for the photo.

Here's some information based on a voice mail I received from Bob Bitner on Haas' win at Gladiator Fighter Challenge this past weekend:

Bob started off by saying that two of his fighters, Ryan Harder and Chrissy Adler, did not fight because their opponents backed out. Not cool. This seems to be a big problem in the amateur circuit, and one that should be addressed.

In Haas' fight, he went up against Bao Khong, a tae kwon do instructor for Mario Yamasaki's martial arts academy.

"Bascially, that first round, it was a very technical stand-up round ... I do believe we lost that first round on kicks ... He (Khong) did a pretty good number on Jay's thigh. We seemed to have problems getting out of that range."

"In the second round, we regrouped, gave him some pointers on how to counter those kicks. True to form, Jay being easy to coach like he is, he stepped inside, shut the kicks down, and counter-punched."

Jay Haas for the win, with a second-round TKO.

Tomorrow night in Virginia, an event at Gladiator Fight Club is stacked with fighters from York.

Brett Myers, who trains with his brother George McGinnis at York Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Red Lion, fights in his amateur welterweight debut against Bryan Lane of Mario Yamasaki's MMA academy.

Ryan Krauss, who trains witjh Russian MMA (I believe that's Steve Bentz's school), takes on Adrian Cann of Steve Blackman Fighting Systems in Harrisburg in the welterweight division.

Lou Armezzani, who trained with McGinnis before his recent move to LionHeart Fighters in State College. squares off with Bruce Drago, of Drago MMA in a middleweight battle.

Jay Haas, of Hanover Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, will fight Pat Odonel of TNT Destruction in a bantamweight bout.

Chrissy Adler, also of Hanover Academy of Mixed Martial Arts, takes on Elliott Martin of Dirty South Heavy Hitters in the nighht's sole heavyweight bout.