Jacob Volkmann received an early Christmas gift with his recent induction into the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association Dave Bartelma Hall of Fame.
Volkmann was one of 16 nominees inducted into the 2025 class, according to a MWCA press release. His post-athletics journey is a reflection of his athletic and personal life.
Volkmann grew up near Henning, Minn., tending to cattle and hogs. But according to his former high school wrestling coach, Kevin Anderson, the wrestling mat was what he constantly returned to.
“He would go home, help with the evening chores, then run the two miles to town, get the assistant coach, Scott Hart, to open the Henning school, and have another workout,” Anderson told the Star Tribune’s Patrick Reusse.
As a wrestler for the Ottertail Central Bulldogs, Volkmann finished his high school career with a 162-18 record. In 1999, Volkmann received the Mr. Minnesota wrestling honor.
An integral part of Minnesota’s first-ever national championship-winning wrestling team under former Gophers wrestling coach J Robinson, Volkmann won back-to-back NCAA trophies with Minnesota in 2001 and 2002.
Current Gophers wrestling coach Brandon Eggum had nothing but positive things to say about Volkmann as a collegiate athlete. Eggum transitioned from a three-time All-American at Minnesota to a coaching job upon his graduation.
Eggum said Volkmann’s work ethic was off the charts at the University of Minnesota.
“Jake was one of the toughest I was able to train with,” Eggum said. “Even though I was much older than him.”
As a senior, Volkmann won a Big Ten title at 165 pounds. Currently, Volkmann is 11th in Minnesota history with 127 wins and 34 pins.
While at Minnesota, Volkmann earned his first nickname, “Killer,” for his ruthless aggression early on.
Volkmann wore the nickname, but not proudly. During his four seasons at Minnesota, he reminded his teammates that he was far from a killer.
Eggum said the transition from high school to college wrestling was an advantage for Volkmann.
“High school wrestling is six-minute matches opposed to seven-minute matches on the collegiate level,” Eggum said. “Jacob used that extra minute to his full advantage.”
Although weight cutting is an essential part of NCAA wrestling, Volkmann refused to cut weight for matches until he transitioned into the octagon of mixed martial arts.
In the cages of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Volkmann earned a new nickname — “Christmas.”
Prior to the UFC, Volkmann won the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles championship title at 163 pounds.
Of Volkmann’s 26 fights as an MMA fighter, 10 of them were UFC fights, finishing his UFC career with a 6-4 record. He had an overall MMA record of 19-7.
During his MMA career, Volkmann operated a lumber business while pursuing a degree at Northwestern Health Sciences University for chiropractic science.
Now spending his time as a part-time chiropractor, his office, Volkmann Chiropractic, is located in White Bear Lake, Minn.
Despite being done with his career, Volkmann continues to support the sport. In his hometown of Henning, Volkmann operates a free wrestling camp for K-12 students.
Volkmann’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony is May 17 in Benson, Minn.