Kyle Maynard Joins the MMA

This Saturday, Kyle Maynard, a congenital amputee with no elbows or knees, will make his amateur mixed martial arts debut at the Auburn Covered Arena in Auburn, Ala.

23-year-old Kyle Maynard will be joining the ranks of mixed martial arts fighters when he participates in an amateur event in Auburn, Alabama.

However, when he enters the ring, he’ll be doing so without any elbows, hands, knees or feet. Born a congenital amputee, Maynard certainly seems at a disadvantage in a fight, yet he has a few tricks up his sleeve. And he’s no slouch either.

The 2004 ESPY winner for "best athlete with a disability" captured the attention of the nation en route to a 35-16 high school amateur wrestling record.

As a high school senior he ended his varsity wrestling career with a 35-16 record. Pretty impressive. And then there’s his incredibly strong torso. With the torso of a heavyweight fighter, but the weight of a much smaller fighter (135 pounds to be exact), he’ll have the advantage of a much stronger chest and torso than his competition.

Also, since he lacks legs, he’ll be considered “grounded” throughout the entire competition. That means opponents won’t be able to kick or knee Maynard, leaving them with only elbows and fists to fight or full body wrestling — Maynard’s biggest strength. He’s also well rounded in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Maynard knows that whatever happens, there will be no instant affection from the MMA officials and fans who don't want him to fight. Even a win would only begin to thaw the feelings, Maynard said.

"It would be a step in the right direction," Maynard told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "It won't be some kind of overnight thing that gets me a license. It's not like the athletic commissions will say, 'Oh, look, he can do it now.' But it would be a start."

Other Maynard supporters say the fight's outcome likely won't have any lingering significance.

"No (single) fight can have that large of an effect on the sport," said Cam McHargue, the MMA trainer from Georgia who will serve as the referee for Maynard's fight on Saturday. "Remember Sammy Vasquez?"

Vasquez became the first fighter to die from injuries sustained in an MMA fight in North American in December 2007.

"Some people do, but almost everyone has moved on," McHargue said. "It didn't have a dramatic effect."

Oblas, president of Undisputed Productions who is promoting the fight, has faced plenty of questions about the fight's possible long-term consequences. His answer echoes those of other Maynard supporters: That his motivational and uplifting spirit can be only a positive for the MMA community.

"Kyle's going to do more good for the sport than he will bad," Oblas said. "I guarantee it."



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