Congenital amputee Kyle Maynard seeks Mixed Martial Arts fightPosted by Ray Melick--Birmingham News April 24, 2009 6:00 AMMichelle Williams/Birmingham NewsKyle Maynard demonstrates one of his exercises, "ground and pound," at the Lakeshore Foundation on Wednesday. He started wrestling in sixth grade and is ready for his first amateur mixed martial arts match Saturday in Auburn.Like a modern-day Goliath, Kyle Maynard has spent the past four years asking for someone to fight him. "You can't believe how difficult that's been," said David Oblas, whose Undisputed Productions LLC has been trying to line up a mixed martial arts bout for Maynard."We've had five, six, seven people agree, only to later change their mind. They'd agree to fight, and then they'd have training partners or relatives or friends from home go, 'You're going to fight a guy with no arms and no legs?'"Maynard was born with a condition known as "congenital amputation," which resulted in his arms forming in two rounded stumps just below where the elbows would be, and his legs ending in short appendages with deformed feet.That didn't keep the 23-year-old Georgia native from playing football as a youth -- he dreamed of being a quarterback but found out his build better suited a nose guard -- or from becoming a champion high school wrestler.His achievements earned him an ESPN ESPY award in 2004 for best athlete with a disability, and a Courage Award from the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.Saturday, he expects to fulfill another goal when he makes his debut as a mixed martial arts fighter in the main event in the Oblas-promoted "Auburn Fight Night" at the Auburn Covered Arena.General admission tickets for the 10-fight MMA event are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the first fight set for 8 p.m. Maynard's fight will be webcast live at www.KyleMaynardFight.com."My life has been all about making things happen," Maynard said. His story has been featured on national television shows, and his book, "No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life," was a New York Times bestseller."I've wanted to do this for so long. I have no idea where it will go. I'm just glad to get this opportunity. I guess I still have doubts."Because of past difficulties in getting an opponent, Oblas decided not to disclose the name of Maynard's opponent until the weigh-in tonight. But, Oblas says, the opponent is an full-bodied MMA fighter from Wisconsin who knows what he's getting into."We will sit down with him when he gets into town and tell him how grateful we are that he's willing to fight Kyle," Oblas said. "This is history."Maynard believes he'll be the first congenital amputee to compete in MMA. And he believes he does have some advantages.He will fight in the 135-pound weight class, even though he has the body of a man much larger than 135 pounds. He holds several weight-lifting records, and has proved himself as a wrestler against full-bodied opponents.'That question'But then, how is he going to strike and kick his opponent?"I think that question plays into my advantage," Maynard said. "I hope my opponent goes in there thinking the same thing ... But I can strike. There is a lot of power behind the blows I can deliver. I did a 420-pound butterfly press. Whether it's my legs or arms, I can do some damage."Oblas and Maynard met four years ago when Oblas was promoting an MMA event in Athens, Ga., where Maynard was attending the University of Georgia and wrestling at the intercollegiate club level.A longtime fan of MMA, Maynard began working out with MMA fighters in Atlanta while Oblas began working to get a license for him to compete in Georgia.However, the Georgia boxing commission would not give Maynard a license to fight, fearing for his safety.That brought Oblas to Alabama, which does not have a boxing commission, and to Auburn. Oblas graduated from Auburn University in 1998."I was crushed (by the Georgia decision)," Maynard said. "In football and wrestling, there were people that doubted I could compete. But no one ever stopped me from trying. The discouraging thing is I'm not putting anyone at risk but myself. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't feel I had a chance of winning."A film crew has been following Maynard, working on a documentary of his life. He recently opened his own "No Excuses Athletics" gym outside Atlanta. And he's in constant demand as a motivational speaker.Whatever happens Saturday, Maynard already has more challenges in mind."I don't want to wake up one day at 60, past my athletic capabilities, and hate myself for not having tried."
I saw a segment on Fox 6 news a few days back about this dude. Imagine getting your ass whipped by someone with stumps for limbs. How embarrassing would that be!
What do you call a man with no arms and no legs?Matt
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