Jasen   "Money"   Van der Merwe

Fighters Biography

Fight preparation?

My fight preparation is primarily focused around skills development as I feel that is the most important element of being a combat sports athlete. I have a great team of coaches around me that evolve the various elements of my skills set; I work on each discipline individually as well as the combination of these disciplines for Mixed Martial Arts. With that said, strength and conditioning is an important element of your preparation for a fight and it’s something I take very seriously. I work with Rory Diesel two to three times a week on my strength training as well as my metabolic conditioning.

When & why did you start martial arts training?

I started my martial arts journey in 2009, I was looking for new challenges in life and I felt that martial arts would be a great place to find these challenges. I began boxing training with Zane Mundell and Anton Gilmore which gave me a great striking base for Mixed Martial Arts.  After two years of Boxing training I met one of my coaches and personal mentor, Ashley Calvert who introduced me to Mixed Martial Arts and after approximately three months of training I decided to compete in my first amateur bout which I won via decision.

What ranks & titles have you held?

• Fightstar FC Bantamweight Champion (Pro-Am)
• FILA South African Grappling Championships – Runner-up (Gi & NoGi)
• Selected to represent South Africa at the 2014 IMMAF Mixed Martial Arts World Championship

What is your pro and amateur MMA record, as well as any other disciplines you’ve fought in, including KO/TKO/finishes.

I finished my amateur career with an 8-5-0 (W-L-D) record. The majority of my losses came in title fights at higher weight classes against guys who are currently in the EFC. Every fight I’ve had, whether it was a win or a loss, I have learnt a lot about myself and the areas of my game that I need to focus on. Outside of Mixed Martial Arts I have competed in Boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitions (Gi & NoGi) with varied success.

How did you get your fight name?

My team gave me the nickname “Money” after my title fight with JD van der Merwe. In that fight I utilised a rope-a-dope style of boxing through the fight which ultimately got me win and the bantamweight title. When I walked into the gym the following week with the belt the guys started messing around calling me “Money van der Merwe” and it’s stuck since then.

Favoured technique?

I have a fairly diverse skill set so there isn’t really a specific technique that I consciously favour. With that said, if I have a look back at my fights there are some techniques that I consistently land such as the slip-n-rip style combinations and arm bars.

Tell us about your most memorable fight?

My most memorable fight would have to be my title fight with JD van der Merwe. There was a lot of pressure coming into the fight as the inaugural Fightstar FC Bantamweight title was on the line. In addition to that we had fought previously in a fight that I dominated but lost due to a small error from my side that he capitalised on. We both came into that fight ready to get stuck into each other which resulted in 5 rounds of non-stop action. I walked away the champion but that fight definitely changed a few perspectives I had of myself and of martial arts which has been beneficial in my development as a combat sports athlete.

Who are your heroes?

When it comes to figures that I look up to I look at the legends of martial arts. The people who went on to accomplish great feats while evolving their martial art and/or combat sport. I’m referring to guys like Rickson Gracie, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, George St-Pierre, Ernesto Hoost; they came in and changed the way people view and/or approach their martial art.

What other interesting information can you tell us about yourself?

I work at Genrec engineering as a quality inspector; I spend a lot of my time outside the gym with my family we very often get the opportunity to enjoy a nice warm meal due to the lifestyle I lead.

What does it mean to you to fight in EFC?

Being in the EFC means to me that every time I walk into the Hexagon that I have reached one of the many goals that I set out when I started my journey with passion and love for the sport, it is self-justification of all the sacrifices and hours spent into being the best martial artist I can be.