When we finally arrived in Atlantic City, it was around 2:30 pm in the afternoon. As soon as I parked the van at the 'Tropicana' I decided to run up to the club house to give moral support to whoever needed it. When I got there David Rohn was in a bad ass mood due to the weight cut. I was jacked full of red bull and my eyes looked like a mad man that hadn’t slept. I decided to sit with him in the steam bath and work on the treadmill with Uncle Kevin to help keep David motivated. After David cut two pounds he was ready to go.
David 'Rocksteady” Rohn was making his third professional fight and Michael “Tha Lil Bully” Santiago was fighting for the 'ROC' Championship of the World. Even though both men train and fight for 'Team Top Notch', both come from different sides of the track. David Rohn complied a 17-1 ammy record in the state of Michigan, winning championships with his mind and heart. After David weighed in. I asked him about his journey on how he got to where he is today. He stated that his wife Megan saved his life. David not only became a better fighter he became a better man and became a father.
If you were to look up anything about David Rohn his ammy record is 6-1. In the state of Michigan there is no Athletic Commission, so it was similar to Wyoming. Until Wyoming got there MMA commission. Bruce Strunk is a good friend of the family and part of the Top Notch Family. After incident that caused tensions between a previous manager and coach. David had one of his fight t-shirt’s stolen. When the discovery of short was being worn by his opponent Thomas Grisham. That fueled the rage going on in David Rohn’s heart. David went on to win his fight with Grisham.
Soon after the Rohn’s was looking for management and a new gym. Bruce recommended Top Notch and 'Ontheline Management'. After David and Megan discussed the opportunity of training in Chicago. David decided to make the move to Chicago while Megan stayed back in Spring Lake, MI to take care of the family. Megan stated to me “I love my husband very much and I want him to go after his dream and if I need to work double then so be it, that is how much I love my husband”. Once Megan greeted her hubby David became a lot more relaxed and focused. To David and Megan family is everything. Santi has a cool way he carries himself.
As for Santi, which the team calls him Michael has been fighting all his life. Becoming a tough wrestler that fueled his desire to win, while attending high school he won several meet’s one of the most feared wrestlers in Chicago. After his wrestling career was over he began to train with Mac Ramos at Top Notch and that’s when Lil Bully aroused. The Lil Bully nickname was given to him by Ricardo Lamas after Santiago dismantled his opponent. The first time I saw this kid fight I knew he was special. I first met Santi when I last did a show in Cheyenne.
When you talk to him he rarely speaks and keeps to himself. His fight in Cheyenne was quick and fast, it was the first time ever, I seen the local guy wasn’t cheered by his home crowd that night. Santi’s look and swagger caught the eyes of the people of Cheyenne. By the nights end everyone knew who Michael Santiago was. Santi approach is the smile at his opponents. He is not afraid to fight anyone. Michael would be making his second to appearance on the ROC banner. Michael was coming off a 2 win fight streak.
On December 1st, 2012 Michael came off one of the biggest wins of his career when defeated Extreme Couture’s Dustin Phillips in a Las Vegas show. Throughout his professional career Mac Ramos has been in his corner. Mac Ramos is a former Muay Thai fighter that was trained by legendary trainer Grand Master Toddy. Mac has over 20 years in training Muay Thai and Boxers from all over the world. Joining the team is Luiz Claudio. Claudio is a 4th degree black belt under Rickson’s Gracie system, he is considered one of the best jiu jitsu instructors in the United States. As both weighed in at astonishing 152, it was clear in front of the people of New Jersey that team Top Notch was in the house.
Ring of Combat is either one or the biggest shows on the east coast. Former UFC champions Matt Serra and Frankie Edgar and the current UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman got their start in Ring of Combat. 85 fighters have fought on ROC card and has moved on into the UFC. Lou Neglia is a former world champion and is the promoter. To The day of the fight was a time to relax and hangout.
Then an unfortunate news occurred. Mac and I were coming to the elevator when we got the announcement that the Korean Zombie got the nod over Ricardo. That made all very upset, to think Dana White or Joe Silva decided to go that route. Lamas gave Mac a call to talk about what had happened. All I am going to say about the conversation is this, Ric is handling it like a professional and he is making his voice heard and we all have his back. David was the first to start the fight off right.
After a few exchanges the Jersey crowd wanted Rock Steady to lose. Rohn went for a shot and doesn’t finish all the way, he gets caught and guillotine and tabs out. His facial expressions says it all and the heartbreak of his family is very noticeable. Mac calmly talks to his fighter and tells him it’s the past time to move on. David nods and now he has to support Dennis Liembrow and Santi.
Dennis fight goes to the judges, he loses by Split decision. Now it’s Michael’s turn.
Watch for the final installment of this piece coming soon.
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