2023 149 lb All-American Michael Blockhus will forgo his final year of eligibility at the University of Minnesota to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. Blockhus announced his decision via social media on Wednesday.

A fifth-year senior this past season, Blockhus still had an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent the first two years of his college career at Northern Iowa before transferring to Minnesota. A 4X national qualifier, Blockhus reached the podium this season capping off an impressive season where he also reached the Big Ten finals.

Blockhus has been vocal about his intentions to transition to MMA after wrestling. He regularly posts himself doing MMA workouts in the offseason. He spent this past week in Florida with former teammate Mitch McKee training at Kill Cliff FC.

Recently Minnesota wrestling has done an excellent job of producing MMA prospects. Mitch McKee is 4-0 and Logan Storley was crown interim Bellator welterweight champion in 2022. Historically, Minnesota heavyweight legends Brock Lesnar and Cole Konrad also achieved success in MMA. Lesnar was UFC champion and Konrad Bellator champion.