Writen By: April Nonnie Cook

MMA for these small town guys is their life! The “Cook Boys “as they are known in their home town of Bremen GA. Say this isn’t a rec sport to them it is a “Lifestyle”. Trying to just catch up with these boy long enough to talk well was quite a challenge in itself as their days are filled with working a normal work day shift at local companies in the town or training at their gym Defkon1 located in Villa Rica GA, even when at home I’m told the furniture is rearranged and wrestling, BJJ and MMA take on a whole new meaning.  These two guys have an awesome story as to how they got their start in MMA .Take a look what they shared. They may have started Training on their own with a few friends on an elementary school yard football field but within a year these two have started to make a name for them in the GA Fight Community and are becoming quite popular among a lot of local sports fans.  To ask around town these two boys are often compared to the Brothers in two different movies for different reasons   …”The Boondock Saints” maybe cause the stand for a lot of good morals and values  ..And also “Warriors” yes the brother fight movie of all times. These two guys have an awesome presences about their self’s they are bound to win the hearts of everyone they meet and everyone who watches their fight styles will watch in amazement.

David Cook Jr.  

Fight name: DJ Cook  

Height: 5’11

Weight: 155

Record: 2-3 Adv. Amateur

DJ is a Twenty year old local fighter who along with his brother took the show back in January 2011 at a local show at “The Masquerade “ in downtown Atlanta  winning over GA  ranked #5 at the weight of 145 fighter Chris Ortiz with K/O of the night ..Tying his Brother Josh for “Fight of the Night “. DJ is a quite laid back guy seemed a bit shy. Says he loves the whole show aspect of a fight but doesn’t like to be in the spot light. I ask him what has been his biggest accomplishment with in the past year … He says “It all started at “The Masquerade” in the ATL. Once we fought we were pulled aside by the Commissioners and introduced to one of Atlanta’s top promoters David Oblas with Undisputed Productions. Which gave us an opportunity to fight at Wild Bill’s one of Georgia’s top hot spots for MMA Fighter’s. From there it just seemed to take off .I have just been enjoying the ride!”

Joshua Cook

Fight name: “The Monster”   

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 145

Record: 3-1 Adv. Amateur

Josh was the more talkative one he doesn’t have a problem being the center of attention seems this 19 yr. old GA boy may just thrive off that. Which in his case has played in his favor, He is ranked in at #5 in GA Fighters Magazine at the weight of 155  and seems to be climbing. Josh also had an article wrote on him back in November of 2011. When ask if Josh had a different game plan going into this fight he has coming up on February 11^th 2012 at Rebel Invasion 2 in his hometown than any before, because this will be his first Advance amateur match and he is coming back off a loss over Shea Taylor…His reply was spoke with pride “I have been training HARD and I’m in the best shape I ever been in! Nothing really different but my mind set!  I know they say don’t sleep in school, however come fight night someone is going Nite-Nite!”

One thing is for sure these two guys have heart and the skills to take this MMA fighting to new levels, I for one am anticipating the day they turn pro! They may be the next big brother duo like the Diaz Brothers. They both say they will be turning pro within the next year so keep your eyes out for them! The Cook Boys are pleasure to watch, and was a pleasure to sit and talk with them! If they keep up their hard work and continue to grow their fan base like they have this last year  these boys will be unstoppable .Josh also told us he wants a shot at the GFC 145 title holder …so GA fans watch out ! DJ has his eyes set on a belt as well but at different weight class. Their motto “Together we will go far!”

When it comes to these brothers you can believe that where there is one the other isn’t far behind! Just remember there are more than two of them, their younger brother Justin Cook just won 1^st place in GI and NO GI at Copa Nationals held in Jonesboro at Mt Zion High school this past December, however he says he will never be a fighter like his older brothers, he does admit he  is one of their biggest fans!

The Cook Brothers have their eyes set on some pretty high goals but assure me that with their current training and focus they will have no problem reaching them. I see the boys taking this sport by storm over the next and not just in GA.

Written by April Nonnie Cook

With the event Rebel Invasion 2 taking place in less than a week, Fighters here in the Georgia area are training hard and staying focused, Most of this card contains local talent. This event is being held at Haralson County High School located in Tallapoosa GA.  Seven of the fighters are graduates from there. The event is being promoted by Black & Blue Entertainment and a vast majority of the proceeds go to the Athlete Department of the school. They also joined forces with the FCA to bring in a Motivational Speaker former wrestler “The Total Package“ Lex Luger. Just to top the night off!

I had an opportunity this week to talk with a few of the fighter on this card just to get a feel for the fighters, to learn more about who these guys are and where they are heading, what their goals are and the steps they are taking to get there ,this is what I have learned  thus far.

Joseph Copley

One local athlete Joseph Copley  a graduate from HCHS was ask how he was feeling about not just fighting in his hometown but at his old high school? His response was “I mean it’s a blessing I’m feeling pretty excited it’s going to be intense going to give it my all and hopefully put on a great show “   Copley is coming off a BIG win and has  a title shot in reach  with his win over Ja Lowery at the Venue Bad Manor  in Athens GA.  When ask what was next for Copley he simple says “I just want to keep striving to get better.” Copley will be fighting Josh Downing this match is a rematch … These guys had a great first match at Rebel Invasion last year, looking for another great fight with these guys, Copley lost to Downing last year but says he’s been training hard, looking forward to seeing these guys BANG!!

Micah Goss

Micah Goss is our next fighter Making his Pro comeback this is his first fight back I ask Micah “You are making a comeback  …correct? What made you want to return to the sport?“ Micah replied “Yes, this is my official comeback fight. I never really left the sport I have been teaching submission grappling & cornering several fighters over the past few years. I am making my comeback now for a couple reasons…First off, I needed to step back and train for a while, after winning my pro debut @ MMA Big Show @ the Belterra Casino it open the door to a few really tough fights in the Midwest and Atlantic City. Frankly I made that jump a little early with no formal training. Now I am ready to display the skills I have picked up over the years. Secondly, I recently divorced and lost my house, car, & most my worldly possessions. With back is against the wall financially, now is the time for me to string some wins together and makes this a legit source of income. Personally, I would fear a man fighting to feed his children, so this year will be a good year to watch Micah Goss make his way up the rankings!”

I’m telling y’all if you are looking for something to do and are in the West GA area on FEB 11^th 2012 you got to check this event out, It’s packed with some hard hitting guys with records and reps to prove it A lot of these fighters have their eyes site on higher achievement’s, I would keep an eye out in the next year because you will see some of these guys again, I could definitely see some of them progressing to UFC, Bellator, Strike force. I keep hearing the UFC is coming to Atlanta GA in April and who knows maybe they will take some of this locally well-deserved talent with them to the big leagues.

Keep a look out  I have a few more pre  fight interviews coming  soon .Always remember to support  fight community, spread the word I’m sure some event is happening near your town I want to hear about!

DJ Cook, Nick Brannon, Brent Quails