Dana White is not hiding what he thinks of Saturday’s night co-main event. The so-called freak show fight between boxing star James Toney and UFC legend Randy Couture is touted as a boxing versus MMA matchup.  But it isn’t the first time a boxer collided with a grappler. It’s a fight thats been happening for over a 100 years.

Some of the earliest publicized bouts between a boxer and a grappler were the exhibition matches between John L .Sullivan and William Muldoon back in the late 19^th century.  In 1901, wrestler Gus Ruhlin was able to defeat boxing heavyweight champion Bob Fitzsimmons in a mixed bout.  In 1963, fame grappler Gene LeBell choked out top ranked light heavyweight Milo Savage. Even in the UFC’s short history, Art Jimmerson tapped out to Royce Gracie at UFC 1 and even more recently Tim Sylvia was knocked out by Ray Mercer in the first seven seconds back in 2009.

And while most believe that the UFC brass is bringing in Toney to just solely lose, the UFC can use more elite fighters from traditional martial art backgrounds. There’s a reason why Lyoto Machida karate techniques became so popular in the Octagon: it went back to the premise of style versus style. The same can be said for Cung Le’s flashy kicks and takedowns.  These fighters garner a lot of fanfare because they aren’t training MMA. They’re traditional martial artists who are good at other styles as well.   

The whole principal of MMA is to see what fighting style can thrive inside an environment that allows for grappling, submissions, and striking. We’ve seen elite wrestlers and elite Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners enter the world of MMA, but rarely have we seen any elite boxer. With so many MMA fighters being good at everything and not great at anything, it’s refreshing to see an elite boxer in the midst trying to prove what elite boxing can offer to MMA.

Boxing has seen better days. If Randy Couture wins this Saturday night, it will be a symbolic gesture that MMA has surpassed boxing in determining who is the number one fighter in the world.   But what makes this bout more significant for longtime fight fans is that finally both boxing and MMA are in the limelight. It’s no longer a boxer versus a small time sport. It’s two legit athletes from two different combat backgrounds determining who can implement their style on the other opponent better.  

Why are you a fighter?

I enjoy competing. I grew up an athlete and played all kinds of sports-anything I could get my hands on. A guy moved into my area (North West Territories) and I learned what Jujitsu was. I knew at that moment I wanted to fight.

Who were your influences in MMA?

One of my biggest role models is Jason MacDonald. He really took me under his wing and I really look up to him. I like Georges St. Pierre and BJ Penn a lot. Penn is my all time favorite fighter.

You mentioned you’re from the Northwest Territories, living there; did you have many influences that supported you or taught you about the sport?

A guy from the Toronto area came in and put up flyers for Jujitsu classes, which I took. But after that, I began watching U-Tube videos as a way of learning more about the sport. I moved to Edmonton to train for half of the year.

Who are you training with here?

I train out of St. Albert at Hayabusa and my main coach is Mitch Clark.*

Now that you’re in Edmonton, with a solid support network what do you see yourself doing in the next year?

I want to fight! I hope to fight six or seven times this year.

That’s a lot of fights Zach!

(Laughs) I know, but as long as I stay heavy and healthy….at least four fights this year. I have a great group of guys at Hayabusa and as long as I train hard and stay healthy I know I can do it.

How did come to align yourself with Arsenal Sports?

I had a bad experience with a fight organization and saw how important it was to have a professional management team in your corner. I asked around and kept hearing about Arsenal. I met Kevin and saw that he was honest and will always tell you the “way it is”. We ended up building a friendship as well as a business relationship.

I think there’s something that makes you pretty special-as a fighter and as a human being. Tell us about that.

My wife is a great mother. I know everyone says that, but I’ve never met a better person than my wife. Together she and I take care of foster children in the town we live in. At first, we had six children and now on any given day we can have between seven and ten children in our home. Currently we are in the process of adopting one of the kids we’ve had since we’ve started.

That must be difficult, having these children in the home and then watching them leave!

It can be. You can’t help but fall in love with them. We have kids whose parents just need a break for a week or couple of weeks, or who have gotten themselves in trouble. It’s tough. We had a baby leave after caring for him for two weeks, it’s hard because you can see the positive changes in him and then you have to let go.

Let’s go back to MMA, what advice would you give to people who are just getting into the sport?

Train hard and take your time. Don’t rush into a fight unprepared, that’s how you get really hurt and really discouraged. Train and learn as much as you can.

What would you like to say to people reading this blog who doesn’t know you yet or fans of yours?

All my fights I will give 110 percent. Expect to see a good fight and expect a bigger and better Zach every time!

It was the tapout that was heard around the MMA world. The once seemingly indestructible Russian cyborg was defeated via triangle chokehold early in the opening round against highly touted heavyweight, Fabricio Werdum. While it was a shocking outcome to most, Fedor’s lost isn’t a huge surprise to those who kept their eyes on him in for the past four years.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Fedor is indeed a top pound for pound fighter and a top heavyweight fighter. But it wasn’t always Fedor’s skills that kept him unbeatable for so long rather it was his uncanny ability to beat the odds regardless of his skill set.
The real truth behind the myth of the Last Emperor is that the landscape of MMA has changed and he’s falling behind. Despite the best efforts of greats like Liddell, Crocop, Nogueira and Hughes, time eventually exposes the chinks in everyone’s armor. Fedor was durable enough and fortunate enough to stay in the win column longer than anyone, but his dominant reign eventually was going to end.
In recent bouts, Fedor has found himself in some close calls for example in his fight with Hong Man Choi, Fedor needlessly found himself on his back after trying to take the Korean giant down. Fedor’s overall striking skills looked painfully clumsy and unrefined in the Andrei Arlovski fight. In the Roy Nelson fight, Fedor found himself trading punches and top position in an unnecessary slug fest that could have been avoided if he executed a smarter game plan. But despite these mistakes, he was always able to win in spectacular fashion. Whether it was another remarkably timed overhand right, a slick armbar, or a relentless ground and pound beating, Fedor was able to get away with things most fighters wouldn’t have been able to.
Until now that is.
If Fedor fought a more patient fight, looking for better top control or to stand the fight up as opposed to leaving his arm behind in Werdum’s guard, then Fedor might have claimed another victim. Instead, many in the MMA world are now questioning his validity as the number one heavyweight fighter. It does not help his case that his last three opponent’s skills have come into question due to their recent losses to weaker competition. Nor the fact that his greatest opponents, Crocop and Nogueira, have been finding only mixed success at best against the new breed of heavyweight fighters in the UFC. The bigger, stronger, more athletic heavyweights like Brock Lesnar, Shane Carwin, Junior Dos Santos, and Cain Velasquez have already demonstrated that they have the potential to replace yesterday’s heavyweight models.
However, I am a keen believer that the true mark of a man is how he responds to failing. Perhaps this loss will get Fedor motivated and focused on the things he needs to do to further cement his legacy. Losses can improve a fighter drastically; just ask Georges St Pierre and Anderson Silva. For a long time, many fans have treated Fedor as a fighting Demi God. With all the pressure finally off Fedor’s shoulders, perhaps the Last Emperor can finally be a man just looking to evolve as a heavyweight fighter.

When did you want to be a fighter?

I’ve always been an athlete.   When I was twelve, my cousin showed me old school UFC.  The first one I watched was “The Ultimate Ultimate 96” and I remember watching Don Frye.  I thought he was a legitimate Bad-Ass. I still do. I think he’s amazing. Shortly after,  I signed up for wrestling and wrestled all through high school and university.

It sounds cliché, but after the Ultimate Fighter came out, I knew I wanted to do MMA. Two weeks after the first episode aired I signed up at a gym and started training.

Who were your role models in the sport?

I like Matt Hughes, Wanderlei Silva and Dan Henderson. I admire them as fighters and as people. I like fighters with humble, hard working attitudes.

Why do you fight?

There’s nothing like MMA. A lot of people describe that feeling of winning, after a winning a big football game or something like that. But there’s nothing like the feeling of winning a MMA fight. It’s epic. You’re standing there with hundreds of people watching you and you’ve just bested another person. It’s an amazing feeling.

How would you respond to the opinion that it’s barbaric to be proud you “just beat someone else up”?

My dad said it best. He says “I have two sons. My eldest is involved in MMA. There is one human being out to get him. My younger son plays football and he’s a receiver. There are at least five other guys out to get him. Realistically I worry more about my younger son than my eldest son.”

It’s not like MMA is about grabbing someone off the street and beating them up. It’s a skilled sport and as long as the two participants know what they’re doing, on balance, it’s a safe sport.

What’s going on with you right now?

July 17th I’m fighting for the TFC’s Canadian lightweight title.

How do you feel about your opponent Curtis Demarce?

He’s a tough guy, a decent striker but he’s a weak wrestler. People seem to have the misconception that wrestling is the takedowns. It’s not. It’s in the scrambles and the little stuff.  I’m bigger than he is and I’m stronger than he is. I’m pretty confident about this fight.

What’s your long term plan?

I plan to defend the title in the TFC. I don’t think someone’s a champ until they defend their title. Then, I’d like to fight for their World Title .I love fighting in Edmonton, but I’d like to fight in other areas as well. I want to fight some Americans and see how I really rank amongst the top guys.

If the fighting in the UFC isn’t a main goal, than why am I fighting? Of course it’s a main goal for me. But, I’d love to fight for other organizations like Strikeforce or M1-Global. I just want to move up.

What would you say to guys starting up in MMA?

Train. Train and love the sport. Don’t rush it, that’s how you get injured. Find yourself a good gym and align yourself with a good team.

Be a fan! So many guys stop watching fights and stop loving the sport. It’s so important to love the sport you’re in.

What would you like to say to your fans reading this?

I just want to fight and make people smile. I hope that you’re entertained when you watch me fight. That’s all I want to do, fight and entertain.( And, don’t be surprised at my Jack ass-ery.)

Clarke’s next fight is at the Shaw Conference Center, July 17^th. Visit http://topmmanews.com/2010/05/17/tfc-11-edmonton-july-17/ for more details.

I did however take the opportunity to talk about the UFC. Given the new arrangement with the United Arab Emirates’ Flash Entertainment, I wanted to know what the local people thought about MMA and having the UFC in their backyards. Although I didn’t go to Abu Dhabi, I spoke with people who traveled from Dubai to Abu Dhabi for the first UFC card in the UAE.

My first challenge was the language barrier.  Arabic is a beautiful language, but I cannot understand a word of it. But because Dubai is a tourist destination, I met many English speaking people. I spoke with those who work in hotels, the mall or resort area. I noticed right away was that most people didn’t know what MMA or the UFC is.

At Atlantis, I met a young American man named Keon who works at Nobu, one of the restaurants in this gargantuan hotel. He told me that he and some of his coworkers were “amped about the UFC coming”. He was disappointed with UFC 112 but attributed the lack of excitement to the hot weather. He said his coworkers who were being introduced to the sport for the first time were disappointed. “They all said it was boring and that they prefer soccer” he said. But, Keon was optimistic saying that “as the local people learn the rules and learn the sport they will become more excited about it.”

The majority of people I asked didn’t know what I was talking about, but when I said “fighting” some of them would laugh and say “ah yes, no, I don’t like it.”  I went to the mall in Dubai, the Mall of the Emirates’ which would give West Edmonton Mall a run for its money with an indoor ski hill that looks like a real mountain. There I saw a kiosk where a man was selling cable providers. On the screen was a trailer for the UFC!  Around me were men in traditional Dishdasha’s and women in Abaya’s, and on the screen was Matt Hughes slamming someone down or Anderson Silva with his arms raised (I don’t remember the exact trailer). Although the sales man couldn’t tell me much about the UFC (or the sport of MMA) he could tell me how much money I would have saved if I switched cable companies.

My experience in Dubai was a great one. I was curious to hear what people thought about having the world’s fastest growing sport come to them. For the most part people don’t seem to be too excited by the idea. Most locals I met talked about soccer, although I did meet one or two cricket fans.

It will be interesting to see how the UFC does in the Middle East. Based on my conversations last week, I have some doubts but as the  UFC gains more exposure maybe more people will become fans of “fighting”.

MMA is the world’s fastest rising sport and it’s been rising even faster here in Western Canada.

Canada’s been called the “Mecca” of MMA by UFC president Dana White and it isn’t one of his normal hyperboles. Every UFC events there’s always a flood of Canadian fans packing the arenas.

Canada loves MMA.

If there’s any more proof of Canada’s growing obsession with MMA, then look no further then Georges “Rush” St.Pierre. Somehow, GSP has won the Sportsnet Canadian Athlete of the Year two years straight in a hockey crazed nation. Being more popular (or at least as popular) than a hockey great Jarome Iginla and Sidney Crosby is no easy task.

Then there’s the UFC coming down to Montreal next month for the highly anticipated rematch between Shogun Rua and Lyoto Machida. And in June the UFC will be coming back up north for UFC 115 in Vancouver. Even Calgary is getting in on the action with WEC 49 coming to the Stampede Corral.

And of course there have been talks about sanctioning MMA in Ontario. Fans have been demanding for an UFC event in Toronto since the UFC made its trip to Montreal at UFC 83. Would the Skydome draw a sellout crowd?

With all the delays of sanctioning MMA in Ontario, maybe the UFC will look west instead and come to Alberta? The City of Champions already is behind MMA. Take the Edmonton based MFC for instance. There’s no denying that it’s becoming one of the top MMA organizations in North America. There have been a few MMA camps also popping around here, producing such talents as former UFC notables Tim Hague and Jason McDonald not to mention a plethora of exciting up and comers.  Fighters from other areas of Canada are moving to Edmonton to focus their training and hone their skills.  Hayabusa Training Center in St. Albert is becoming a hot bed for budding talent.

The Edmonton Lacrosse team, The Rush, has decided to get into the MMA game, hiring Randy Couture as their strength and condition coach. The Natural’s first appearance at Rexall Place probably drew more cheers that night than anything else on that lacrosse field.

As the City’s passion continues to heat up, bringing more and more talent here to fight and increasing training facilities and camps, it’s an exciting time for Edmonton and the for sport. It may end up that  Edmonton becomes the Canadian Vegas for MMA.

Welcome to my blog! I’m thrilled to be part of the Arsenal Team. It’s always exciting to join forces with a company that loves MMA and puts fighters first. Where there is passion, there is always opportunity to do amazing things…

I’m looking forward to discussing the local MMA scene as it continues to explode in the City Of Champions. Working with Fightsport, I’ve had the opportunity to feature  local talent and I  look forward to seeing their progress.

Along with blogs, I’ll include Fighter profiles as well as Q and A’s.

I invite your feedback and comments in hopes of generating good discussions and creating a positive climate for a diversity of opinions.

Check back soon!

Until then, Happy Training!

Blessings

Maddy

Mitch Clarke, currently undefeated in 6 fights, takes on an experienced Brandon MacAurthur (5-12) at a catch weight of 165lbs.

Jason Zorthian (3-3) returns to the ring after almost two years taking on Todd Mabbott (1-2) at 170lbs.

Sheldon Westcott undefeated as a pro (2-0), will clash with a well rounded fighter,Tim “Shady” Smith (5-4) at 185lbs.

http://www.thefightclub.ca/

Scott Steele – Graphic Designer