Mike Ciesnolevicz~ Ultimate Fighter

**Sachet** · Posted On: 2/21/2004 11:21pm

By Linda Schylaske
linda-s@citizenstandard.com

What does it take to be an Ultimate Fighter? Mike Ciesnolevicz, a Williamstown resident, 1998 graduate of Williams Valley, and professional fighter is taking his career to a new level.

Ciesnolevicz recently informed his family and friends that he is moving to Bettendorf, Iowa at the end of February to train with Pat Miletich, former five time UFC middleweight champion of the world. Miletich now works on producing the best fight team in the world and has accepted Ciesnolevicz for training.

Ciesnolevicz, who made his debut in Atlantic City Nov. 1 during a Reality Fighting 5 No Holds Barred event, will begin his day at the training facility with weight training in the morning, followed by kickboxing. The afternoon will consist of submission wrestling techniques and light training. In the evening he will be doing full contact all around training similar to a professional fight.

“The training is very intense and a lot of guys quit after a few weeks of this,” said Ciesnolevicz, a recent graduate of Lock Haven University. “I’m not naive, I know I’m going into a gym where I’m gonna have to get beat down to build up.”

“These guys are the best in the world at what they do but if I persevere I’m going to be the guy giving the beating sooner or later.”

“The main thing is I have to stick it out and remember why I moved to Iowa in the first place,” Ciesnolevicz added. “I know there might be a time when I feel like I should quit or that this wasn’t meant for me. I’m mentally preparing for that already.”

Fighting is a hybrid sport involving boxing, wrestling, kickboxing and martial arts in one discipline. The sport is also called extreme fighting or reality fighting.

“When I was in Iowa last summer visiting Pat Miletich at the Miletich Fighting Systems he told me that he thought I had a lot of potential and a hard work ethic,” said Ciesnolevicz. “He said if I wanted to come out there he would manage me and give me the chance to live out my dream of making it in the Ultimate Fight world. I mean, this is the guy I watch fight on pay-per-view and just hoped someday I would meet him and now he’s gonna be my trainer!”

“This wasn’t an easy decision for me to make - to leave all my friends and family to start over. It’s gonna be hard to adjust but I think that’ll happen over time,” said Ciesnolevicz. “My family wants me to be happy but in a way they don’t want to see me go. However, they know it’s my dream and I’m a big boy now so they support me. This is something I have to do - I don’t want to regret it 10 years from now if I don’t do this.”

While at the Miletich Fighting System facilities Ciesnolevicz will be training for the Light Heavyweight Championship fight scheduled for April 3 in Wildwood, New Jersey. Ciesnolevicz’s fight will be one of three main event title fights on the 17 fight card.

“I’m really excited to be getting such a big fight this early in my career,” said Ciesnolevicz. “My opponent, Shannon McGee is the current champ and has been undefeated for three years. The critics and fans out there are saying that he is too experienced and is going to be too much for me this early in my career. I am definitely the underdog.”

“I know this sounds a little extreme, but I don’t see how he can win because I have no quit in me,” Ciesnolevicz adds. “I will not give up no matter what happens. I’m not leaving Wildwood without that belt in my hands. It’s gonna be war and I’m preparing for that as we speak.”

“Come fight night I’m gonna have a lot of emotions running through my body,” Ciesnolevicz said. “The one thing I won’t be is scared because of who I’m training with and the preparation I’m putting into this.”

“I’m 100% confident that I’m going to win this fight. The guy I’m fighting is tough but he’s not going to be anywhere near the level of my training partners in Iowa.”

**blankslate** · Posted On: 2/21/2004 11:22pm

He needs a nickname badly.

**Sachet** · Posted On: 2/21/2004 11:29pm

Mike definately took on quite a physical challenge, but it's his dream to become a champion & now's the time to give it a go if he's ever gonna do it :D

There's some pictures of his last Reality Fight from Atlantic City, more articles & a link to his journal which tells what's happening at the Miletick Training Facility he's attending right now. Those guys are beating him up! :p

http://www.beyondmass.com/forums/sho...?threadid=5520

Mike's journal while at the Miletick Training Facility~

http://www.beyondmass.com/forums/sho...&threadid=6124

He's a cool guy to talk to so if you have any questions about his training, etc. don't be shy about commenting on his thread.

**Sachet** · Posted On: 2/21/2004 11:32pm

:D Yes, he does need a nickname blankslate *lmao*
He uses RUTHLESS as his screen name..

**Nid** · Posted On: 2/22/2004 10:21am

How about El Polaco?

**blankslate** · Posted On: 2/22/2004 10:29am

hehe

Call him Mike "CHAOS" Ciesli....

**Sachet** · Posted On: 2/24/2004 8:26pm

hmm.. El Polaco.. CHAOS Ciesli..

I'll pass them by him ;)

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 2/24/2004 11:22pm

I'll be looking for him on the scene.

**Sachet** · Posted On: 3/08/2004 1:24am

Omega~

It's interesting to watch.. isn't it?! ;)

Although the 'championship' fight got cancelled and he doesn't have another one scheduled til May.
In a way it's good because he really took a woopin' when he first got to Iowa *lol* and I don't think he's taking proper rests between trainings.
He's also visited Alvino Pena's boxing gym {supposedly known world wide to turn out champions} and Pena is working with him as well.
MrO left an interesting post in the journal about it..

**PizDoff** · Posted On: 3/08/2004 1:58am

LOL Blanky...

Fighting is a hybrid sport involving boxing, wrestling, kickboxing and martial arts in one discipline. The sport is also called extreme fighting or reality fighting.

Fighting is a hybrid sport?
Boxing, wrestling, kickboxing aren't martial arts?