NCAA Champ Jenkins Signs with Tachi; MMA Debut Set for Dec. 2

The NCAA All-American wrestler confirmed Monday to Sherdog.com that he has inked a deal with the Lemoore, Calif.,-based promotion and will make the move to MMA on Dec. 2, when he faces fellow professional newcomer Chris Huerta at TPF 11 “Redemption.”

Jenkins’ first fight will take place at 155 pounds, though the 23-year-old is expected to move down to 145 pounds for future bouts.

The 2011 NCAA Division I champion at 157 pounds, Jenkins wrestled at Arizona State in his senior season after competing for his first three years at Penn State. Jenkins posted a 21-3 mark in his championship year, making his career NCAA record 94-24.

While competing at Penn State, Jenkins wrestled to a second-place finish at the NCAA championships in 2008. Then, competing at 149 pounds, Jenkins posted a perfect 22 wins during the regular season the following year before being hampered by injury and eliminated from the NCAA tournament.

After red-shirting during the 2009-2010 season, Jenkins returned the next year as a Sun Devil at 157 pounds. Following his graduation, Jenkins signed on with the revered American Top Team camp in Coconut Creek, Fla., to begin his mixed martial arts tutelage.