Chatham Native Set for First Professional MMA Fight in Morristown

While Chatham-raised Tim Lutke was volunteering as an assistant coach and helping the Long Valley Wrestling Program to one of its most successful seasons in team history, he was training for his own performance.

Lutke, an All-American wrestler from Centenary College, will launch is professional Mixed Martial Arts career in Morristown on June 21.

The Morris County grappler trains at the AMA Fight Club in Whippany, and says his experience at the MMA level has easily transferred over to the young wrestlers in the Long Valley program.

“The other coaches and I talk with the Long Valley wrestlers about so many things: mental toughness, training hard, eating right, getting the proper rest, making the right decisions every day, winning and losing with class,” Lutke said. Since I’m still competing, I think I can set an example and practice what I preach.  Sometimes I even have the opportunity to train with them.  Frankly, it puts a little more pressure on me when I compete, knowing my wrestlers are watching, but it’s good pressure.”

Wolfpack wrestling coach Jeff Hill says Lutke has embraced the team and community and worked on the mat with the wrestlers on a day-to-day basis to help them improve. 

Lutke won his last amateur fight in Atlantic City by way of knockout.

Lutke’s fight will take place at Mennen Arena in Morristown on June 21. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the first fight at 7 p.m., and tickets are $55. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets can call or text 908-887-4118.