Local MMA fighters raring to re-enter the ring
Three local mixed martial arts fighters are eager to step back into the ring in Chilliwack, B.C., next week.
By Marcel Vander Wier on November 29, 2012
Three local mixed martial arts fighters are eager to step back into the ring in Chilliwack, B.C., next week.
T.J. Woodman, Stefan Brynjolfsson, and Ryley Johnson will all compete at WarPath VIII on Dec. 8. The fights will begin at 7 p.m. at the Squiala First Nation.
The bouts mark the first of the new season for the Avalanche club's MMA fighters.
To prepare for their upcoming bouts, Avalanche MMA coach Cliff Schultz welcomed Extreme Couture coach Sean O'Halloran to Whitehorse Nov. 16 and 17.
The visit marked the sixth time O'Halloran has trained fighters in the Yukon capital.
"He has over 30 years of experience in MMA and submission grappling,鈥� Schultz said. "He's seen all of the guys fight in all their fights, and he knows what to correct on them.鈥�
O'Halloran worked to improve each fighter's technique, and taught them a few new submissions in preparation for the December fights.
O'Halloran works as a MMA consultant and promoter out of both Chilliwack and Las Vegas, and also serves as Schultz's head coach.
Schultz is confident the Avalanche fighters are ready to go.
"They're going to do the job,鈥� Schultz said of his fighters. "I think it's going to be a very good turn for them. We're all pretty pumped, really excited.鈥�
Woodman will be competing in a title bout against Chilliwack's Jamie Siraj (2-0) in the 135-pound weight class. The two last clashed in February, where Woodman lost a split decision to the hometown favourite.
"It's almost like a revenge fight,鈥� Schultz said of the rematch.
"I know I'm better than him,鈥� Woodman said. "I know I'm a better fighter than him. I just had a lot of problems last time. I had trouble making weight and gassed out pretty quick.
"It was still a pretty close fight, but yeah, this time I think I'll definitely take it.鈥�
The 29-year-old Woodman holds a 3-2 lifetime record in the ring.
With the match becoming a title bout, Woodman said his excitement has been heightened.
"I was going down to fight anyways, but the title will make it that much better,鈥� he said.
He was originally scheduled to fight Craig McLean, but the Langley fighter recently
pulled out after breaking his elbow.
Brynjolfsson is 1-1 lifetime in his new amateur fighting career.
The 26-year-old has recently recovered from a rotator cuff injury to his shoulder, an injury that occurred due to the repetitive nature of his job as a house painter.
"I wasn't even sure if I was going to fight,鈥� Brynjolfsson told the Star today. "I kind of crossed my fingers and did all my exercises and behaved well, and my shoulder's feeling a lot better. Not 100 per cent, but it's definitely good enough to go.鈥�
He will battle in the 185-pound class.
Brynjolfsson is coming off a split decision loss, and hopes his improved cardio fitness will lead to success.
"I feel like I'll have a bit more gas in the tank, hopefully,鈥� he said. "I guess we'll see.鈥�
Brynjolfsson is relatively new to mixed martial arts, and said a "general love for the sport鈥� spurred him into the ring.
"It's been an amazing learning experience,鈥� he said. "I honestly couldn't tell you why I do it, but I really enjoy it. It's a pretty exhilarating thing and I guess adrenaline junkie would be one of the words I'd use to describe it.鈥�
His 27th birthday will occur two days after the fight.
"Hopefully I get a good birthday present over there,鈥� he chuckled.
Johnson, a student at Porter Creek Secondary School, is 0-1 in MMA bouts, but Schultz said his 16-year-old son has won the majority of his submission grappling matches.
Schultz said Johnson's first fight was "way too gentle.鈥�
"It was like he didn't want to hurt the guy,鈥� Schultz said. "Now he has a different perspective of it. He's very respectful before the fight, during the fight it's business, then after the fight, respectful.
"He has to become a little more aggressive, and he has.鈥�
Johnson has seen success in the past when he has come out aggressive, Schultz said, pointing to the youngster's gold medal at Tiger Balm Internationals in March as a prime example.
"That's his plan this time. He stays really composed. He's very strong and he has really good technique now,鈥� Schultz said.
Johnson will compete in a jiu-jitsu match in the 160-pound youth category.
Schultz co-founded Avalanche MMA in 2010, and purchased Peak Fitness gym in the Riverdale neighbourhood this past summer.
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