North Carolina amateur fighter Keith "Bad Newz" Bell (5-0)

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Raleigh, North Carolina's heavyweight Keith "Bad Newz" Bell (5-0 amateur record) recently had a unique opportunity to train with the folks at American Kickboxing Academy in California. Located in San Jose, AKA is one of the more well-respected MMA gyms in the game currently. This 6'3, 260 pound heavyweight checked in with us today to give us this quick update.

Rich Wyatt: You just got back from and 8 day trip to California, training with the guys at American Kickboxing Academy. Who are some of the folks that you got a chance to work with and what was it like?

Keith Bell: Well, the trip was awesome. I had a chance to train with some of the best talent in the world. Because of my size I couldn't work with the welter weights but the ones that were there everyday were Josh Koscheck, Mike Swick, Jon Fitch, Jake Shields, Josh Thompson and Phil Baroni. Cain Velasquez was there for only a day because he had to beat the breaks off of Rothwell that weekend. The training was no different than anywhere else but just more intense!! Like 100 times more intense.

Rich Wyatt: This isn't the first time that you've trained at one of the nation's elite MMA training facilities. Tell us about the time you spent at Greg Jackson's gym last year.

Keith Bell: The trip to Greg's was an experience all to itself. It was before my first fight so I was extra green going out there. To put more pressure on me, it was all on TV because the Tapout show was filming everyone's every move. I'm looking forward to testing myself out there now having more experience under my belt.

Rich Wyatt: I understand that you tentatively have a date scheduled for your first professional fight. Where and when will that be?

Keith Bell: Well, for now it's on for February. The time and place hasn't been determined.

Rich Wyatt: Do you know who your opponent will be yet?

Keith Bell: Nothing has been decided yet.

Rich Wyatt: Thanks for checking in with us. Can't wait to see you compete again soon.