For a place with a somewhat genteel reputation, Victoria has a robust fight scene and has produced Olympic boxers and professional champion kickboxers.
Among the best has been Gabriel Varga. Now one of the Island鈥檚 greatest fighters is trading the ring for the octagon in a bold career move at 34.
The Bellator featherweight kickboxing champion from the capital makes his pro mixed martial arts debut Saturday night against Jamese Taylor of Missouri in Bellator 224 at the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Oklahoma.
鈥淢MA has always been on my mind,鈥� said Varga, who was also world champion in K-1 and the Glory Series, as part of his total of six pro world kickboxing titles.
鈥淚 had done everything I could do in kickboxing and there was nothing left to gain. I knew I had to try MMA or I would regret it the rest of my life. MMA is personality driven. It builds stars.鈥�
Everybody knows what Varga can do as a striker, but much of MMA is the ground game.
鈥淢y offence is quite good and I am confident of it, but I have to be aware of defence,鈥� Varga said.
He has been practising his wrestling skills with local experts.
鈥淚 have been working hard on the takedowns,鈥� Varga said. 鈥淚 also did jujitsu and that involves a lot of clinch work.鈥�
But as with all boxers and kickboxers who try MMA, the longer they stay on their feet the better.
鈥淔ans love the knockouts,鈥� Varga said.
His gentle demeanour outside the ropes belied a lethal instinct inside them. He will now need to transfer that to inside the caged screen.
鈥淚鈥檓 a relaxed, happy guy,鈥� said Varga, a piano-playing Lambrick Park Secondary graduate. 鈥淏ut in the leadup to a fight, I one by one begin cutting out the things I like.鈥�
That鈥檚 bound to make anybody ornery and ready to rumble.
Varga began in karate at age seven. Aaron Varga, also a successful pro fighter from the Island, will be in his brother鈥檚 corner Saturday for his MMA debut.
There is also a sa国际传媒 flavour at the top of today鈥檚 Bellator 224 card. It is headlined by the women鈥檚 featherweight title fight between current Bellator world champion Julia Budd of Langley 鈥� ranked No. 3 in the world unified standings 鈥� against undefeated Olga Rubin of Israel.
