Josh Van Meurs' vision for his future includes octagons, angles and eventually mind-numbing numbers.
Yet, it's not about math or geometry for the 17-year-old Belmont Grade 12 French immersion student.
Oh, he plans to enrol in petroleum engineering at the University of Calgary, but that will only assist him in his true calling - mixed martial arts.
Arm bars, rear-naked choke holds and flat-out strikes to opponent's faces are what the Langford teen has in mind.
This week will go a long way toward achieving his goals, to be a competitor on the Ultimate Fighter reality TV show and eventually compete on the MMA circuit.
More immediately, Van Meurs is focused on the World Youth Pankration (mixed martial arts) championship that begins this week in Sparta, Greece, having won a North American crown back in April.
"I haven't been more ready in my life. I'm in the best shape of my life. I've been training very vigorously," Van Meurs said prior to his departure. "I'm feeling ready."
He already has the North American title under his belt, having won all five fights in Las Vegas, but the six-foot, 174-pounder - who fights in the minus-170-pound category - yearns for more. He's hoping to catch the eyes of the likes of Randy Couture, who he already has spoken to regarding a future in one of the more popular spectator sports in the world.
"My ultimate goal doesn't stop at winning worlds," he said. "It continues on to eventually getting on the Ultimate Fighter reality TV show, winning that, and then getting into the UFC."
That would be a few years down the road. In order to qualify for the Ultimate Fighter show you have to be 19 and Van Meurs turns 18 in April.
For now, it's time to focus on Greece.
"I'm heading into these World games knowing I'm not going to have any easy fights, but it's the best of," he said. "That would mean I am the best youth fighter in the world, for my age and weight. I feel very prepped for it. I've been working very hard."
Pankration is s slight variation of MMA except competitors are not allowed to knee or elbow opponents on the ground - there are no elbows to the face. He will compete in one four-minute round, but battle multiple fights over two days.
Van Meurs, who was training at least three times a week for a minimum five hours, is also well versed in judo, muay thai and jiu jitsu.
His dad, Al, placed him in judo at six and he's been watching MMA for years.
"I loved it," said Van Meurs. "When I was 12 I said, 'Dad, I want to do more.' "
His dad taught him muay thai and added jiu jitsu at 14 and Van Meurs also got into grappling tournaments.
He is undefeated at 11-0 in Pankration events and hopes to have professional fights soon, when he turns 18.
"My focus is completely on fighting sports," said Van Meurs, who lists Georges St-Pierre as his favourite fighter: "Because he's Canadian and he fights a lot like me. I love how humble and positive he is."
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