The Alliance: Team Tompkins and Team Curran. Part Two of Two.
Story by Joe Ferraro

Jeff 'The Big Frog' Curran is one of the Mid-West's most experienced mixed martial artists. Boasting an 18-7-1 record, the Crystal Lakes, Illinois native has fought in nearly every major MMA organization in the world. In doing so, he has also fought some big names in the process. From Matt Serra to Ivan Menjivar, Baret Yoshida to Bao Quach, The Big Frog has never backed down from a challenge.

Always looking for new challenges, he found one with Canadian MMA trainer Shawn Tompkins. The two fighters/trainers have formed an Alliance to further help each others students take it to the next level. In Part Two of this feature, I had the chance to get Jeff Curran's point of view on this new Can-Am association, and the overall friendship with Tompkins and his London based team.

Congratulations on the new Alliance. What made you decide to join forces with Team Tompkins?

Well, when I first met Shawn, he came down with Mark Hominick. He was very professional and was an all round good guy. It was like it was a natural fit for me to work with him. Honestly, it was like we knew each other of a very long time.

What does Shawn bring to the Alliance?

Well, everyone teaches their own way and believes in their own way of doing things. The way Shawn does things is great, I really liked it from the first time I saw him teach. Shawn is a great motivator. He jumps the energy up right from the beginning of the class. His way of teaching striking is a little different than others. He comes down to my school and really cleans up your skills. He's such a big help. I mean, whenever he comes down to help me train, he'll take over a class and teach it for me, giving me some time off to concentrate on my own training. He's great.

How about yourself? What does Jeff Curran bring to the Alliance?

Hopefully over time, a love for BJJ at their school. You have to really enjoy BJJ, learn it from scratch to make it effective in MMA. I’m not going to be changing anyone's mind set but rather, crystallize it. Coming from Pedro Sauer, I learned to love BJJ and I try and share that. Above all, I try and set a good example for my students to follow. That's very important.

So, with this new Alliance underway, will we be seeing Jeff Curran fighting soon?

Yes. March 05th I'll be fighting on the IFC card and I've got a fight lined up on April 30th. But before that, sometime in early April, I'll be making my boxing debut. I really want to get onto the Chicago Boxing scene and my boxing instructor Doug Mango believes I can do it.

Seeing as Doug and Shawn have two different mind sets when it comes to striking, is there a potential for conflict there?

Usually, that would come it to play, but not with Doug and Shawn. They both understand what each guy brings to the table and completely respect it. It's great. But you are right. I am grateful and honestly, Thank God they get along. (laughs)

Earlier on, you mentioned that you've also trained with Mark Hominick. What's your take on 'The Machine'?

Mark is a serious guy. When I first met him, he didn't say much, didn't do much, just trained. He's real serious when it comes to this stuff. He's finally lightening up, but an unbelievable talent. He's a great guy.

He's fighting in about a week's time in TKO, trying to recapture his belt? Will you be able to make the trip?

Oh yeah. I'll be heading out to London on Monday with one of my students and pro fighter Bart Palaszewski to add some final touches to those fighting at the TKO show. Looking forward to coming back to Canada.

Jeff, thank you for your time and hopefully I'll get to see you at TKO.

Thanks for the support Joe. See you in Montreal.