Rosholt climbing the UFC Heavyweight ranks

SANDPOINT — When Jared Rosholt enters the UFC octagon tonight, he’ll be carrying a little bit of Sandpoint into the cage as well.

Rosholt, a 28 year-old rising heavyweight star of Mixed Martial Arts, faces the biggest test of his career tonight on the UFC Fight Night 57 fight card in Austin, Texas. Rosholt (11-1, 3-0 UFC), nicknamed “The Big Show,” will face salty Russian Oleksiy Oliynyk (49-9-1, 1-0 UFC), the latest step on an ascension that could climb all the way to a UFC title shot.

Rosholt, a three time All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State and two time Bulldog state champion, credits his humble roots in Sandpoint with helping him get to the highest levels of both wrestling and MMA.

“Coming out of (Sandpoint) with great coaching, that was a great base to start with. That played a huge part in my success,” described Rosholt, lauding the coaching of Mike Hook, Jesse Watson, Dan Taylor and Mike Randles. “I remember getting off the school bus in the fall, hearing the chain saw, and hauling wood all evening.”

Rosholt, a member of Team Takedown Fighters in Arlington, Texas, has won his first three UFC fights by decision. Oliynyk, on the other hand, has won 40 of his 49 fights by submission, including a whopping 35 in the first round. Rosholt boasts arguably the best wrestling pedigree in the heavyweight division, and will be ready for Oliynyk, who features a bevy of highly-unusual submissions.

“I’m aware of them, but I’m not scared of them, said Rosholt. “I’ve got the athletic edge, he has more experience. I can shut people down even in their strong parts.”

Rosholt’s older brother Jake also fought in the UFC, making them one of 15 sets of brothers in UFC history. Fellow Sandpoint wrestler Chris Feist is also a member of Team Takedown, and part of a rich wrestling tradition at Sandpoint. The likes of Jared and Brett Lawrence, Chris and Luke Feist, Tony Hook and several others went from Sandpoint to big time college wrestling back in the day.

“For such a small town, a lot of wrestlers went to big Division 1 colleges, with national champions and All-Americans,” says Rosholt. “It’s quite impressive when you sit back and think about it.”

Rosholt won state titles as a freshman and sophomore while at Sandpoint, before moving with his family when Jake accepted a scholarship to Oklahoma State, where he went on the win three national titles. Jake’s promising MMA career was cut short with a hand injury after a brief foray in the UFC ranks.

The Rosholt brothers were part of one of the best wrestling teams ever at Sandpoint, a team that included the Feist brothers, Tony Hook and Jason Cates. The coach of that juggernaut, Mike Randles, remembers Jared as the consummate high school wrestler.

“What sticks out most to me about Jared is the humble, blue-collar work ethic he brought to the room every day. No drama, no fanfare, no self-aggrandizing, Jared simply trained, and still trains, at a very high level, and his size makes that level even more impressive,” explained Randles. “It was an attitude that he obviously took with him to OSU, where he became their all time winningest heavyweight wrestler.”

Rosholt still helps out at OSU practices on occasion, no doubt a huge benefit for both him and the current crop of heavyweights for the national wrestling power.

“I go to help out, give back to the sport and the OSU program. It’s such an advantage to wrestle with those young guys,” admitted Rosholt. “They’re not wore out like us old guys, still have piss and vinegar running through them.”

After a handful of MMA fights at smaller venues, the UFC came calling for Rosholt, who knew he arrived when he saw the packed stadium, standing 10 feet away from Bruce Buffer as he bellowed his famous catch phrase “let’s get ready to rumble.”

He’s been fighting about four times a year, and if all continues to go well, should get a crack at some top 10 opponents soon, where success could lead to a shot at the crown. He says people know he’s got a strong wrestling background, but have no clue how much his striking has improved, making him a far more dangerous fighter.

“My wrestling will always be my biggest strength, but my striking has elevated dramatically,” he said. “When you’ve got great wrestling, it can set up punching. Good striking can set up take downs. They all work together to be more efficient.”

When asked what he loved most about wrestling, Rosholt answered the self-gratification that comes from pushing yourself past what you thought capable, and learning a lot about yourself in the process.

He’s thrilled to be fighting under the UFC organization.

“It’s such a professional atmosphere, you feel like a professional athlete,” admitted Rosholt. “You’re in the NFL for fighting. It’s a great feeling.”

The UFC card will be televised tonight on Fox Sports 1, starting at 7 p.m.