Inspirational wrestler putting himself in danger

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.

Commentary

Add your $0.02, go to the comment form or follow the comment feed

Fighter

(04/08/09 2:16am)
Report

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. You simply can’t tap him out with an arm lock. Also – those stumps he has for arms hurt. I guarantee it. There is a guy in our gym who has one arm like that, and he can grab things with it and choke people unconscious with it.

Here is a YouTube of Maynard in a submission grappling contest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5R75GGUovg

Now, Maynard’s opponent here is making some mistakes, but the video shows that Maynard knows how to escape a triangle. His opponent couldn’t maintain a top mount position because Maynard has no legs to “grapevine”. At the end of the video, Maynard has his opponent in a classic arm triangle – and comes close to sinking a guillotine choke on several occassions.

I seriously have no clue how I would beat someone like that in a submission game. As for striking – there is simply no way to effectively punch someone like that effectively from the standing position. Trying to kick him would set you up for an immediate takedown. He will need to protect his head big time, but my guess is he will be quite good at dodging. I think he will do fine, I think the referees and doctors will keep it safe, and I will be interested to see not only how he wins a fight like this but also how other fighters compensate. This is exactly the type of guy that throws a traditional fight plan completely out the window.

---

Weight classes?

(04/08/09 2:17am)
Report

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

---

• News
• Campus
• City
• Police Briefs
• Crime Map

• Opinion
• Editorials
• Columns
• Letters

• Features
• Event Calendar

• Sports
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Gymnastics
• Field Hockey
• Ice Hockey
• Rowing
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming & Diving
• Track & Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

• Blogs
• Classifieds
• Religious Guide
• Puzzles
• Mobile Edition
• Housing Guide

• Multimedia
• Living City
• Video
• Photo Galleries
• Podcasts

• Archives
• Search
• Feeds
• Photo Reprints
• Advertise With Us
• SN Alumni
• Work Here
• Contact Us
• Privacy Policy

• Follow Us:
• Facebook
• Twitter

• 
• More Page Fronts
• Reprints

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University. State News, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation. Its current 990 tax form is available for review upon request at 435 E. Grand River Avenue during business hours.