Kyle Maynard Makes MMA History
The world of mixed martial arts witnessed history on April 25th, 2009 as the sport witnessed it's first fight featuring a congenital amputee. Kyle Maynard made his MMA debut in Auburn, Alabama, losing to Bryan Frye with a unanimous 30-27 judges decision.
Being born with an amputation of the forearms and lower legs, Maynard has always been told what he can and can't do, while always looking for a way to push himself further. While this marks his first appearance in an MMA ring, Maynard has had plenty of fight experience. He competed in high school wrestling championships, holding a record of 35 wins and 16 losses.
Maynard has been presented with the 2004 ESPN Espy award, an award given to the best athlete with a disability. It's also fair to say he's not fighting to make headlines as he has already graced the same stage as Barack Obama, released a biography, “No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life” and is working on a documentary titled “A Fighting Chance”. He is fighting for himself, and for the people that have been behind him his whole life.
One of his supporters is former WWE and TNA wrestler Zach Gowen, the world's only one-legged professional wrestler. He thinks that Maynard has done a great thing.
“Simply put, the dude's incredible,” said Gowen. He's very inspirational and I'd like to model my career after his.”
It wasn't easy to schedule the fight. There aren't a lot of fighters out there that would be willing to face off against someone like Maynard with his limitations. Maynard's promoter, David Oblas, spoke to the media in a press release before the fight.
"We've had five or six guys back out of the fight, not because they wanted to back out, but more because of pressure from family and friends: 'What are you doing fighting a guy with no arms or legs?"' Oblas said. "It's kind of a no-win situation for the other guy."
And that's the kind of feedback that your going to get if you beat up a guy with no arms and legs. Many people cringe at the fight footage seeing Maynard getting punched and question why someone could step in the ring against him.
You have to give Frye credit for taking this fight, and by doing so giving Maynard the opportunity he has worked hard for.
I don't think many people expected him to win against Frye, but in his mind and many of the people who he has inspired, he is a winner.
“If he wins in the cage, then that would be the icing on the cake but to me that's almost secondary,” said Gowen. “The second he walks into the cage the audience will have decided that he's a winner because of his guts and determination and his ability to overcome odds by just getting in the cage.”
Maynard will view this as a huge accomplishment despite not getting the victory and says he wants to fight again.
The question is how will fight fans respond? I think if he is viewed in a positive light let the guy fight again. He will most likely stay in smaller promotions, as I can't see Dana White being interested in bringing him into the UFC. If this turns into a circus, as some people are saying it could, then Maynard should take the high road and not let his image be shunned upon.
