5 Defining Moments: Logan Storley

Logan Storley’s evolution from a decorated collegiate wrestler to a formidable force in mixed martial arts has been nothing short of impressive. As he prepares to square off against Shamil Musaev in a PFL 3 welterweight showcase this Friday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, a look back at five defining moments that have shaped his career and underscore his evolution as a fighter:

1. The Making of a Wrestling Hero

Storley’s formative years on the wrestling mats were marked by extraordinary achievements, including clinching the 2009 Fargo Freestyle National Championships and the 2010 NHSCA Junior National Championship, along with earning MVP honors at the Disney Duals. He then advanced his academic and athletic career by attending the University of Minnesota, a prestigious university recognized as a bastion of wrestling excellence. Storley was a four-time All-American with the Golden Gophers, and in his final year, he maintained an impeccable record, rounding off his college run with a remarkable 119-27 career mark.

2. Dominance Delivered

“Storm” went on to make his professional MMA debut in 2015, competing under the Resurrection Fighting Alliance banner. In his first four fights in the organization, Storley rattled off four quick technical knockout victories, showcasing that, beyond his grappling prowess, he also has power in his hands. He carried forward that momentum in his next two fights, besting Andres Murray at Legacy Fighting Alliance - Sioux Falls Fight Night 1 and Kemmyelle Haley at Bellator 181 via similar TKO wins.

3. Tactical Triumph

Storley demonstrated strategic superiority in his Bellator 197 fight against Joaquin Buckley throughout three rounds of their encounter. He utilized his wrestling acumen to neutralize Buckley’s striking threat, consistently taking the fight to the mats and maintaining positions that left his opponent on the defensive. He successfully managed to execute repeated ground attacks, stymying Buckley’s offense despite the lack of a finish. Unanimous decision scores of 30-27, 30-26 and 30-26 underscored the dominance he displayed in the fight, as he extended his record then to 8-0 in professional MMA.

4. Striking Success at Historic Event

Storley, alongside submission grappling phenom Neiman Gracie, made some history at Bellator 274 as the first non-title five-round fight in the organization. While everyone expected it to be a clash of grappling titans from varied disciplines, the contest proved to be a striking affair. Storley delivered several rapid left hooks and overhand rights that initially overwhelmed Gracie. Despite the Brazilian’s recovery in the later rounds with increased striking volume, Storley regained composure and momentum in the fourth. Having absorbed a counter uppercut that put him in trouble, Storley responded with a stifling overhand that nearly finished the fight. The fifth round proved to be a quintessential tit-for-tat swinging contest until the final bell. In the end, the judges scored the bout 48-47, 50-45 and 49-46 in favor of the American.

5. Grappling for Gold

Storley took on Michael Page in enemy territory at Bellator 281, which went down at the SSE Arena in London. In the main event clash of the showcase, Storley used his wrestling skills to control Page throughout five rounds, leading to a contentious split decision victory. The fight proved to be a lackluster affair marked by Storley’s persistent but damage-sparse control and Page’s occasional flurries that accounted for no significant damage. Storley laid hands on the interim 170-pound gold by split decision scores of 48-47, 47-48 and 49-46. Boos echoed through the arena while the result was being announced.