Capt. ‘G.I.’ Jason Norwood (11-2) is a prime example that Army combative training is highly effective; not only in fighting but also as a means to prepare for battle and come home victorious – and alive. Norwood makes his second outing with Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion against Eddie ‘Crazy Face’ Arizmendi (14-4) on Friday July 8th at M-1 Challenge: Bennett vs. Garner, live on Showtime from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California. (11 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the West Coast).
A native of Voorhees, New Jersey, the twenty-seven year old Jason Norwood equates fighting as the culmination of his life. Starting his martial arts training at only six years old, Norwood next took on wrestling at age 13; he wrestled at West Point and was preparing to compete in the Olympics when he was deployed to Iraq by the U.S. Army. Having served his country overseas and currently a Captain and the Officer in Charge of the Modern Army Combatives hand-to-hand combat program where he is stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Norwood says the military brings a similar feel to MMA, the main difference being that in the Army you either come home standing or “in a bag”.
He says that in the military they train “not to tap but to stay alive, to prepare for the probable outcome, the deadliest outcome…” Entering the confines of the M-1 ring doesn’t even begin to compare to what he’s faced defending his country. In a previous interview Norwood depicts his Army career as a mixed martial arts fight with a lot of unexpected moves where he has needed to react accordingly and ultimately to his advantage. Going from working with Paladins to radars and now working in the fight house he sets the stage in his mind before he enters the ring as if he is deployed, clearing buildings with his life on the line.
Boasting an 11-2 record, Norwood returned to his winning ways with a systematic, three-round destruction of Billy ‘Mojo’ Horne this past March on M-1’s SHOWTIME debut. Over 15 minutes, the Captain exemplified what the US Army represents: a grinding, relentless pursuit of victory. Clearly the stronger fighter, Norwood secured take down after take down and pounded his way to a unanimous decision victory. Even with having to shed the massive 35 pounds needed to meet the 185-pound weight threshold, Norwood’s conditioning was never in question as the tilt when into the latter frames, which is a testament to his training and endurance.
Prior to Horne, Norwood had a remarkable ten-fight win streak snapped by the formidable Josh Bryant. Norwood’s list of notable victories include a unanimous decision nod over Herbert Goodman, a submission win over Wayne Cole and suffocating rear-naked-chokes over Jon Kirk and Joey Gorczynski. Norwood has spent time training at American Top Team Oklahoma and Matt Hughes’ H.I.T. squad but calls the Fort Still Combative Center his home, where he has been steadily improving as a professional mixed martial artist well versed in executing his trademark ‘RNC’.
Facing Arizmendi, Norwood shouldn’t have to alter his game plan; he’s effective at closing the distance to stay out of striking range and then clean house with some good ‘ol fashioned dirty boxing. His takedown skills are slick and his submission arsenal is potent but he hasn’t been placed in a position where he needs to fight off his back.
Norwood has all the tools in his belt to come away with another SHOWTIME win. Nothing in a gym can replicate the life or death training and mindset the military creates and no opponent can shake a military man who is prepared for anything.
