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Amputee's martial arts fight in Ala. stirs controversy
Kyle Maynard, who was born without elbows, hands, knees or whole feet, was a standout wrestler in high school and college. But his plan to fight in a mixed martial arts contest this Saturday in Auburn, Ala., has stirred controversy, the Montgomery Advertiser reports.
The debate, the newspaper says, is whether Maynard is "a legitimate contender or the too-trusting victim of a rogue promoter." Some critics also worry that he could be seriously injured.
The 135-pound Maynard was denied an MMA license in 2007 in his home state of Georgia. Alabama doesn't regulate the sport.
Maynard, an accomplished wrestler and motivational speaker, tells the paper that he thinks he has earned the right to compete:
"There have been a ton of sinister things said about me and about this fight, and I don't understand that. I don't know why I wouldn't be given a shot to show what I can do. I've trained with some of the best in the sport for this. I can protect myself -- it's hard to explain how, but if people come and watch, they'll see. This has gotten blown way up and I really don't think there would be so much talk if people just came and watched me fight."
The Advertiser quotes David Oblas, the fight promoter, as saying he not only believes Kyle won't be injured, "I believe he'll win."
For more on Kyle and video of him wrestling, go to one of the newest USA Today blogs, Fighting Stances, about Mixed Martial Arts.
(Photo by Todd Plitt, USA TODAY)
The debate, the newspaper says, is whether Maynard is "a legitimate contender or the too-trusting victim of a rogue promoter." Some critics also worry that he could be seriously injured.
The 135-pound Maynard was denied an MMA license in 2007 in his home state of Georgia. Alabama doesn't regulate the sport.
Maynard, an accomplished wrestler and motivational speaker, tells the paper that he thinks he has earned the right to compete:
"There have been a ton of sinister things said about me and about this fight, and I don't understand that. I don't know why I wouldn't be given a shot to show what I can do. I've trained with some of the best in the sport for this. I can protect myself -- it's hard to explain how, but if people come and watch, they'll see. This has gotten blown way up and I really don't think there would be so much talk if people just came and watched me fight."
The Advertiser quotes David Oblas, the fight promoter, as saying he not only believes Kyle won't be injured, "I believe he'll win."
For more on Kyle and video of him wrestling, go to one of the newest USA Today blogs, Fighting Stances, about Mixed Martial Arts.
(Photo by Todd Plitt, USA TODAY)
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline...ntroversy.html
I'm guessing many of you have seen this guy on the late night news show circuit. Kind of an interesting situation.
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