UFC fighter with area ties competing in home state

OMAHA, Nebraska -- The son of a former Southwest High School wrestling coach is an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter and is competing next week in Omaha.

Mike Simpson, now of Arizona, coached wrestling at Southwest High School in Indianola and his son, Aaron, is a mixed-martial artist who competes as a middleweight in the UFC circuit

The fight will be televised on Fuel TV Feb. 15, according to Aaron's Face Book page.

"Looking forward to my fight Feb 15 in Omaha," Aaron wrote on his page. "I'm excited to fight in my home state of Nebraska!

He's had only two losses, his Dad told the Gazette, and although his son "has taken his lumps, he's moving up in the rankings."

Aaron, 37, was a standout wrestler in high school, earning four state wrestling championships. He later competed at Arizona State University, garnering 110 wins and NCAA All American status. He was an assistant wrestling coach at Arizona for nine years and then as the assistant wrestling coach at California Polytechic State University.

"I am real proud of him," his dad said. "He was an unbelievable athlete in high school and college. He's wonderful to watch."

UFC is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company that features top-ranked fighters in sports events worldwide.