Zion Clark – the MMA fighter born and not using a decrease physique – has overwhelmed his first opponent by unanimous choice on the Gladiator Problem in San Diego.
The 25-year-old, from Ohio, hit headlines earlier this week when he shared his dream of reaching the UFC – and he is already made the right begin.
Clark confronted off in opposition to Eugene Murray in California in a PPV bout Saturday evening, taking down his opponent a number of instances regardless of their distinction in measurement.
The struggle lasted your complete three rounds, earlier than Clark was then referred to as the winner by unanimous choice, having his arm raised by the decide within the octagon.
Zion Clark (proper) brought on his opponent a number of issues throughout his MMA debut Saturday evening
On the finish of the bout, Murray had his arm raised by the referee, taking his MMA report to 1-0
Murray, his opponent, didn’t seem too dissatisfied with the outcome, as an alternative pointing at Clark to be topped the winner earlier than the choice had been made.
When the judges’ choice was revealed, a delighted Clark backflipped his means again to his nook, sending the onlooking crowd wild.
Clark was born with caudal regression syndrome, a critical dysfunction which impairs the event of the decrease backbone.
Regardless of this, he has been capable of take part and compete in quite a few sports activities, now turning his consideration to a profession in MMA.
Clark (pictured) was born and not using a decrease physique, however it hasn’t stopped him from breaking a number of world information… and now he is received his first MMA struggle
Clark beat Eugene Murray within the Gladiator Problem Saturday and has his sights set on UFC
‘I am distinctive as a result of I’ve a drive and I dwell by the mantra “no excuses” and I push myself ahead day by day.
‘That is the beginning of one other skilled profession for me and I am right here to tear his throat out and placed on a present for the gang.’
The inspirational athlete’s life was stuffed with hardships as he grew up in foster care, however he pushed himself to grow to be an distinctive highschool wrestler and hopes to make it to the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in wheelchair racing.
‘Individuals would make enjoyable of me as a result of I did not have legs,’ he mentioned. ‘One of the simplest ways to cope with haters is to make use of the hate to raise your self up.
‘The haters are your largest followers – use that to your benefit.
Regardless of his incapacity, Clark, 25, has been capable of take part and compete in quite a few sports activities
‘College wasn’t the best time for me, however by the point I used to be a senior I used to be capable of flip it round and get into faculty and do the whole lot I wished to do.’
Clark additionally sees competing within the UFC as a future chance – however his first massive check comes when he places on the gloves this weekend.
‘It is the identical because it was wrestling for me. I simply wrestle in opposition to able-bodied individuals, and I beat able-bodied individuals,’ he instructed TMZ.
‘Now I am combating able-bodied individuals, and I am gonna knock out able-bodied individuals. It is so simple as that. I am a fighter.’
Clarke has been taking his foray in MMA very critically, coaching with former UFC stars like Rampage Jackson, Mike Perry and Anderson Silva.
His opponent – Eugene Murray – has a winless report from 4 fights and was unable to safe his first victory this weekend.
