Finney's HIT Squad

The Hit Squad, formerly known as Finney's HIT Squad under Jesse Finney and originally as H.I.T. Squad, is a mixed martial arts gym based out of Granite City, Illinois. Founded in 2007 by UFC Hall of Fame inductee Matt Hughes, it was purchased in 2011 by MMA veteran Jesse Finney after he retired from professional competition.[1] Hughes departed from Miletich Fighting Systems in order to start the team, alongside then-current EliteXC Middleweight Champion Robbie Lawler, longtime boxing coach Matt Pena, and wrestling/conditioning teacher Marc Fiore.

The Hit Squad
Est.2007
Founded byMatt Hughes
Primary ownersJK Moore Enterprises, Jesse Finney
Primary trainersMoses Flores
George Stanich
Jeremy Johnson
Richard Graeff
John Sabo
Reagan Johnson
Luigi Fioravanti
Past titleholdersMatt Hughes UFC Welterweight Champion (two times), UFC Hall of Fame
Training facilities Granite City, Illinois
Websitehttp://www.thehitsquad.com/

History

It was named H.I.T. Squad since its inception,[2] before it was bought in 2011. H.I.T. Squad opened with an area of 13,500-square-foot gym in Granite City, Illinois, and initially included three other fighters: Robbie Lawler, Greco-Roman wrestling champion Jacob Hey, and The Ultimate Fighter 5 contestant Corey Hill.[3]

The training center, which was opened to the public in January 2008, was originally run by Hughes, Fiore, Lawler and Pena.[3] Their desire to start a world-class facility was the motivating factor, while Hughes also wanted to be closer to his family in Hillsboro, Illinois. However, rumors of a broken relationship with Pat Miletich being a contributing factor were false.[3]

Purchase

On March 23, 2012,[4] it was announced by H.I.T. Squad representatives that they were under new ownership. Jesse Finney, a recently retired fighter from St. Louis, became the new owner, and the team's name was changed to Finney's HIT Squad.[5] After the transaction was closed, Finney stated that the team would remain intact. After the operation, they began implementing the Shamrock Fighter Development System, where fighters start their development in a league and work their way up based on their skills and performance.[4]

Awards

See also

References
  1. Hui, Ray (2011-03-25). "Jesse Finney Buys H.I.T. Squad, Retires from MMA Competition". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  2. Yu, Al (2007-08-30). "- CAMP REPORT: MATT HUGHES LEAVING MFS". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  3. Stupp, Dann (2007-08-30). "Matt Hughes to Start Fight Team; Robbie Lawler and Corey Hill on Board". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  4. Staff (2011-03-23). "Jesse Finney Buys H.I.T. Squad, Matt Hughes and Coaches Remain". MMAWeekly.com. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  5. Press Release (2011-03-23). "Jesse Finney assumes ownership of Matt Hughes' HIT Squad gym". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2012-10-11.
  6. "Best MMA Gym - 2011 Finney's HIT Squad". The Riverfront Times. Retrieved 2012-10-12.
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