Oakdale-Trained MMA Fighter to Battle for Title

Kyle Todd is going for a bit of revenge… and a local amateur title.

The mixed martial arts fighter from Woodbury is on the card for the Saturday, April 28, Japan vs. Minnesota MMA Xtreme event at the Target Center.

Todd, "The Spartan," a former wrestler, has been training at in Oakdale and will take on Nick Porras in a rematch for the local amateur belt.

Patch recently asked Todd about his prospects for the April 28 match.

Patch: What are you doing to prepare for this fight? Anything special?

Kyle Todd: Basically I'm training even harder. Our coach, Mike Reilly, took a page out of his old school Team Bison days. We're going more old school in our practices—so a lot of sparring, conditioning, all-around tougher practices.

Also working with some guys up in St. Cloud at GetSum Athletic Compound. Thanks to my sponsor GetSum Fightgear, I have also started working with strength and conditioning coach Matt Miller at Horsepower Strength & Conditioning in Edina. Working with him has taken me to a new level, physically. 

Patch: You lost to Nick Porras the last time you fought him. What will be different this time?

Kyle Todd: I plan on coming in in better shape, first of all. I gassed (last time), which caused me to lose. I also plan on using my stand up more and not just rely on my wrestling.

Patch: How are you going to approach the fight? Stand up? Ground battle?

Kyle Todd: I plan on hurting him on the feet. Simple combos, hurt him, take him down, and if I don't have a dominant position on the ground, stand back up. He submitted me last time on the ground, so try to take him out of his element. 

Patch: What can fans expect at the April 28 event?

Kyle Todd: This event is filled with Minnesota's top amateur and pro fighters. They are also bringing in guys from out of state and from Japan and Canada. It will be the biggest show since the UFC came to town.

Patch: Where does your MMA career go from here?

Kyle Todd: Well, I plan on winning the title on the 28th. After that I want to take the summer off and just train. Then defend the title at the end of the summer and a couple more times before I go pro. I won't go pro for another 6-12 months, more than likely.

For tickets, visit the Target Center website (http://www.targetcenter.com/events/detail/mma-xtreme-33), or go to TicketMaster.com, type in Japan vs Minnesota and put in KyleT for the fighter promo code.