In Mixed Martial Arts contests, what looks like a collision of brute force is actually a display of strategy, anatomy, and conditioning.
When you mix the mystique of martial arts, the glitz of prizefighting and the grit of brutal training, the result is a sport that attracts a huge number of elite-level athletes.
These sportsmen combine tactics from different branches of martial arts to become the world's most versatile fighters, and their personalities and accomplishments are as widespread as the disciplines they unite.
Tyson Griffin
“I definitely had to grow up real early,” admits Griffin. “My mom didn’t start out with a great life and my parents got locked up when I was three and we got sent to live with my grandma. My mom got out three years later, went back to college, and changed her life around 100 percent. I had an older brother and a younger brother, so I got put in check by my older brother and had to keep myself in line to set an example for my younger brother, so I had to grow up real early and realize what life’s about. Its not about being out there, getting crazy and getting in trouble. That’s just gonna keep you going down and not up. I played a lot of sports growing up that helped me keep grounded and not worry about things.”
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He discovered fighting at 16, and while training on a heavy bag, someone in the gym called him “Razor,” and that person got him his first pair of competition Muay Thai trunks. The word “Razor” was emblazoned on the front. By 18, McCullough traveled to Thailand to hone his skills and get the experience in life in a third-world country and training in a country where people start in the sport at the age of four, and are usually burned out with injuries by their early 20s.
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"I am a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Gracie Barra, train in Muay Thai out of the Sityodtong Camp and train boxing with Peter Welch," Florian said. " I train 6 days a week, 2-3 times everyday regardless if I have a fight coming up or not."
"I graduated from Dover-Sherborn Regional High School. And then I graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor's degree in Communications and was a part of the Pre-Law program. For family, I am one of 6 children. My parents are from Peru in South America. However, I have a mix of Spanish, Italian, German, French and Armenian blood. I speak Spanish, Portuguese and can get by in the romance languages. Oh yeah, I speak a little English."
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Keith Jardine
Keith Jardine is well-spoken, calm and does not talk smack. But once the cage is locked Jardine trades in his mild-mannered alter ego and becomes a fighter.
During his last two bouts Jardine has unleashed some serious leg kicks that made both Stephan Bonnarand Gouveia think twice about checking. But even though in both fights the leg kicks could have made the difference in points from the judges, Jardine simply said, "Well we'll see - I'm getting better, too."
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Carlos Condit
"I’m not your typical fighter," Condit said. "I’m not a super muscular guy, I don't have tattoos or a cool mohawk. People don’t give me my due as a tenacious or dangerous fighter. These people doubt me and its fuel for the fire. I find a way to win, in spite of the perceived handicaps that people put on me. A lot of people have preconceived notions as to what will make you successful in this sport. I know what works for me. And the formula that we have (at FIT NHB), and are using, works. Time and again I’ve proved that.”
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Joe Lauzon
Joe Lauzon calls it the “biggest relief ever.” No, it wasn’t getting the call to compete in the UFC after a lot of blood, sweat, and tears spent fighting in smaller shows, but instead, the New Englander could finally breathe earlier this summer when he wrapped up his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Wentworth Institute of Technology.
Mixing in training with his day job as a network administrator, the Brockton, Massachusetts native has found a nice balance with his life in the ring and outside of it, and for now, having fighting as a part-time gig keeps it fresh for him.
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