SIOUX FALLS — It’s been nearly seven years since Logan Storey first stepped into the ring under the Bellator MMA banner.
The 31-year-old South Dakota native always knew that his amateur wrestling background and work ethic would help him succeed in the sport of mixed martial arts.
It’s one thing to have that dream, but quite another to achieve it.
“It’s kind of fun to look back,” Storey said. “I’ve had a lot of big fights and title fights, so I’m proud of my career.
“This is really a new step, a new journey.”
On Friday, Storie (15-2) will make his promotional debut under the Professional Fighters League banner when he takes on undefeated Shamil Musaev (16-0-1) at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena. The event will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Logan Storey raises his hand after his TKO victory over Brennan Ward at Bellator MMA 298 on Friday, August 11, 2023 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.
Adam Souley / Mitchell Republic
Just six months ago, Bellator was acquired by PFL after then-broadcaster Showtime announced it was eliminating its sports division. After the merger, PFL planned to continue to fly the Bellator flag at select events while also allowing Bellator’s roster to compete in his PFL events.
Story is one of 10 fighters competing for $1 million in prize money and the PFL Welterweight Championship in the highly competitive 2024 PFL regular season. The tournament adds an extra element of suspense with the introduction of a points system that will determine fighters’ eligibility for this fall’s playoffs.
“I think it’s exciting for the Bellator guys coming up and guys in my position,” Storey said of the tournament. “We were a little scared for a while about what was going to happen to our careers, but now we have a chance to come into this tournament and stay active and win the PFL belt. That’s exactly why I’m so excited.”
Dealing with close matches is a slight difference for Storey as he prepares for a grueling eight-month tournament, but at the end of the day, he goes through his usual eight-week training camp prior to the match.
“We still have to go out there and fight, but we can’t look ahead,” said Storey, who practices at Kill Cliff FC in Deerfield Beach, Florida. “First we have to deal with this game next Friday and that’s always the case. We have to deal with what’s in front of us before we look to the future.”
Born in Roslyn, South Dakota, Story first started wrestling at the age of five. He attended nearby Webster High School, where from seventh grade to his senior year he won the state championship six times, and in his six years of eligibility he amassed an overall record of 262 wins and 3 losses. .
In 2009, Story was the national champion in freestyle at the Fargo Nationals, and a year later won the National High School Coaches Association national championship as a junior. After his senior season, Storey won the Junior Hodge Trophy, which is given annually to the most outstanding high school wrestler.
From there, Story went on to wrestle at the University of Minnesota, where he was named an All-American four times. His best finish at the NCAA Division I Championship was in 2014 when he finished third, and in 2012 he finished runner-up in the Big Ten Conference Championship. He graduated with a degree in Business and Marketing in his 2015 year.
A town of about 1,700 people, Webster is also the birthplace of WWE and UFC star Brock Lesnar, who rose through the ranks as an amateur wrestler and completed his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota.
“The same high school wrestling coach, John Seeley, coached both of us,” Storey said. “For a small town like this to produce two people who went on to have so much success at the next level is pretty special.”
Lesnar had a 106-5 record over four years in college, capped by winning a national title his senior year with the Golden Gophers. During his first two years at Bismarck, he won the National Heavyweight Title in 1998, was twice named to the National Junior College Athletic Association, and transferred to Minnesota State on a wrestling scholarship in 1999.
“He helped me when I was young and just starting my journey, and when I was aiming for the University of Minnesota,” Storey said of Lesnar. “Now we’re both doing our own thing, but that guidance was definitely important when I was in high school and starting to experience the college ranks and things like that.”
Storey first became interested in MMA near the end of middle school. He competed in three amateur bouts during his high school years and had the opportunity to train alongside rising star Tony Ferguson in Lesnar’s gym.
Story won all of his first five fights by first-round knockout before signing with Bellator in 2017, making his Bellator debut on July 14, 2017 by defeating Kemier Haley by first-round technical knockout, and joining the promotion. Since joining, he has amassed a 10-2 record with only two losses to Yaroslav Amosov, including a unanimous decision loss at the Bellator Welterweight World Championship in February 2023 in Dublin. ing.
Logan Storey delivers a blow against Brennan Ward at Bellator MMA 298 on Friday, August 11, 2023 in Sioux Falls.
Lucas Noonan / PFL
Prior to the loss, Story was the interim Bellator welterweight world champion after defeating Michael Page by split decision on May 13, 2022 in London.
His most recent fight in the Bellator ring was on August 11, 2023, when he defeated Brennan Ward by TKO in the second round as the headliner of the Bellator MMA 298 card at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.
It was Story’s sixth fight in his home state, but his first as a main event centerpiece.
“It was pretty cool to play against a top-10 opponent. To finish it off was pretty special,” Storey said. “Many players can’t even play in their home state, let alone just two hours away.
“Sioux Falls is like home to me now, just the sponsors and the people I got to know. Good luck.”
Logan Story celebrates his TKO victory over Brennan Ward at Bellator MMA 298 on Friday, August 11, 2023 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.
Adam Souley / Mitchell Republic
Story’s upcoming tournaments bode well for his career as an amateur wrestler. He is relishing the opportunity to continue competing against the best fighters in the world and the support he receives from the people of his hometown is remarkable.
“I just work with a lot of great businesses in Sioux Falls, and I get to know the community really well and have even camped there,” Storey said. “It’s great to have constant support.”
Story credits much of his success over the years to his “right-hand man” in former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler, who has been with him every step of the way since his Bellator debut in 2017.
“Having a guy like that in your corner makes a huge difference in your career and gives you more confidence in yourself,” Storey said. “My coach, Henri Hoeft, I had a lot of really great coaches and people.”
I work with many great businesses in Sioux Falls, know the community well and have camped there. It’s great to have constant support.
logan story
Storey’s bid for PFL gold will be put to the test on Friday, but he will need sunshine and clear skies.
A man known as “Storm” comes to Chicago.
“It was always a dream,” Storey said of his professional success. “Now there is a big difference between having a dream and realizing it.
“Everything has worked out very well for me. I’m proud of my career so far.”
