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Inspirational wrestler putting himself in danger

By: Joey Nowak Posted: 04/07/09 3:56pm

Sometimes adversity brings out the best in people. And sometimes it brings out the foolishness.

For 23-year-old Kyle Maynard, it’s done both.

The University of Georgia wrestler, who was born with deformed arms and legs, has a tremendous story of overcoming life’s obstacles and really epitomizes never taking “no” for an answer.

Many of us can’t fathom life without a limb (I know I can’t), let alone two or three or four. And the thought of competing at the Division 1 level in a sport is even more incredible. But my problem with what Maynard has done is it seems he’s taking this a bit too far.

Surely having been told he was incapable for much of his life, Maynard earned a 35-16 record in wrestling as a high school senior and received an ESPY for best athlete with a disability. As well he should.

But recently, Maynard has been granted an amateur license in Alabama to fight in mixed martial arts, or MMA. His first bout is scheduled for April 25. Like I said, my hat goes off to Maynard and everything he’s accomplished but taking this next step is not safe.

It’s one thing to wrestle without arms or legs, but MMA fighting consists of much more. How is he expected — or, rather, how does he expect — to defend himself against punches, kicks and strongholds from men who are literally two or three times his size?

And think about being that fighter he comes up against the first time he steps into the ring. It’s Maynard’s first fight, you’re an up-and-coming fighter who wants to make something of yourself just as much as the next guy and it turns into a media frenzy just because of the luck of the draw. Nobody wins.

I applaud you, Kyle. What you’ve done is an inspirational story that many can learn from. But I implore you: Quit while you’re ahead.

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Commentary:

Fighter

04/08/09 2:16am

My guess is that this author does not understand MMA. First of all, defending a takedown by a skilled wrestler is difficult in its own right. I find shorter wrestler far more difficult to counter because they are lower to the ground. Second of all, no submissions other than chokes will work against this guy. We have someone in our gym who is missing most of his right arm.

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Weight classes?

04/08/09 2:17am

Also, does this author not understand that MMA has weight divisions?

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