Comments (0) Best Local MMA Fighter - 2009
Jesse Finney
Though he's fresh off a win at the action-packed June 6 Strikeforce event at Scottrade Center, if you go purely off records, Jesse Finney does not have the most impressive record among local mixed martial arts pros. Hillsboro, Illinois, native Matt Hughes holds that honor, and deservedly so. But Finney gets the nod for his contribution to regional MMA outside the cage. With Finney's MMA, Kickboxing and Boxing gym (9744 Watson Road, Crestwood 63126; 314-961-1177), Finney and his trainers have provided St. Louis with one of the finest training facilities in the area. Regardless of whether a fighter needs work on his kickboxing, boxing, wrestling, grappling or all-around strategy, Finney and Co. cover it all with 33 hours of structured training each week. Finney also owns Shamrock Promotions. Currently hosting monthly events at the Holiday Inn-Southwest/Viking Conference Center and the Stratford Inn, Shamrock has been giving area fighters the opportunity to test their mettle against the region's best since 1999.
