“That’s a mistake. They’re fixing it,” interjects Adam Zugec, Wilson’s coach and trainer at the Victoria, British Columbia-based facility that bears his name. He’s referring to Wilson’s Sherdog fighter profile. “There is another Diego Wilson. This one,” he continues, pointing at the sweat-soaked fighter, “this one hasn’t lost.”

“I don’t ever want to lose,” offers Wilson. “I want to be undefeated, like Sarah,” he says, shooting a smile at teammate and current Strikeforce 135-pound Women’s Champion Sarah Kaufman. She smiles politely, but also offers high praise for her unbeaten friend, naming him “Best Prospect” in an interview last July.

While training under the same roof each day might make her biased, Wilson (4-0) gave a good indication why both Kaufman and Zugec think so highly of him ten days after that interview, submitting Luis Huete at Heat XC 3 halfway through the first round to collect his fourth consecutive win. Thus far, no one has escaped the first frame against the affable and humble Victoria native.

After competing as a featherweight (145 pounds) in each of his first four fights, Wilson will step into the cage this Saturday at Armageddon Fighting Championships 2: Aftershock as a bantamweight for the first time, a move Zugec says only made sense.

“He was walking around at 146, cutting a pound,” Wilson’s coach says with what is quickly becoming an omnipresent grin. While dropping the additional ten pounds to reach the bantamweight limit seemed like the easy decision to Zugec, Wilson offers a different take.

“I used to wear shirts that were tight on me, and now they’re all baggy,” he says with a laugh, adding “I’ve never cut this much weight” amidst a chorus of laughter from the teammates gathered around him.

Watching him train, it’s easy to see why everyone at ZUMA has high hopes for Wilson’s future in the fight game. He’s light on his feet, darting in and out during sparring sessions, peppering his various partners with punches in bunches.

He listens intently, responding to Zugec’s calls for more footwork or bringing his elbows closer to his body, laughing as he complies.

After nearly two hours of training, the one minute break between rounds of pummeling offers a chance to grab water, rest on makeshift stools and challenge yourself to see how many breaths you can suck back in 60 seconds.

Wilson walks with his hands on his hips, seemingly annoyed by the pause in the action. “His gas tank is insane,” Zugec states, pointing as Wilson flips upside down against the wall in a handstand and begins doing push-ups.

With four consecutive first round finishes and fighting out of a gym that is emerging as one of the best in Canada, bigger opportunities are sure to come Wilson’s way sometime soon. The humble fighter only offers that he wants to keep going and win every fight he takes, deferring to his coach to sum up the plans for the future.

“Sometimes when guys have talent, organizations want to push them too fast. Diego is a guy who is only starting to realize the talent that he has,” says Zugec, “I don’t think there needs to be a rush yet. He still needs to get the opportunity to gain experience, because you can’t train that.”

Everything that you can train Wilson wants to learn and that is often what separates those who that are good from those that are great. He soaks up knowledge like his red ZUMA t-shirt has soaked up sweat over the last two hours and collects the guidance his coach and more experienced teammates have to offer.

Wilson also collects wins and does so quickly. He will look to keep that going Saturday against Josh Fyfe.

If he keeps racking up first round finishes, Wilson will soon be collecting more fans too.

AFC 2 takes places this Saturday at the Bear Mountain Arena in Victoria, B.C., Canada, headlined by Kalib Starnes vs. Marcus Hicks (not the WEC fighter).  For more information, go to the fed’s official website.

The 26 year-old Benoit seems to embody everything that makes a regional promotion special in that he’s loyal, dedicated and humble. An iron worker by day and mixed martial artist by night, he does all of this so he can pursue his dreams and make a better life for him and his girlfriend Sarah. Spend a few minutes and get to know Benoit and you will truly understand what regional MMA is all about.

MMA Madness: Can you tell me a bit about your background and how you got involved in MMA?

John Benoit: I started wrestling in the sixth grade and I loved it. I wrestled as a freshman but soon turned my focus to hockey. I went back to wrestling and as a senior, I compiled a 44-4 record but blew my back out during the states and had to withdraw. I competed in cross country to stay in shape. After high school, I wrestled in a few men’s leagues and got a job as an iron worker. I was thinking about doing some amateur body building and ran into an old friend who invited me down to watch one of his fights. He beat his opponent pretty badly and I used to beat him during my wrestling days so I started training with him.

A month after I started training I moved on over to Renzo Gracie’s school and trained with some studs. There were some great jiu-jitsu guys who were pounding on me day and night. It was really humbling and I knew that it would only make me better. Now I am one of the guys that the new guys watch and look up to. I roll with guys who outweigh me by 50 pounds and handle myself pretty well. We get a lot of Renzo’s guys from New York to come down and we also get to train there whenever we want.

Madness: Is there any one fighter who you try to emulate?

Benoit: I’m really kind of my own fighter. I have unorthodox stand-up, maybe like a Forrest Griffin. When I’m not moving, I’m kind of awkward. When I’m moving around, I move pretty good. I like Josh Thompson. I’d love to say I look like that, but I don’t. I mean Thompson is a stud and I’d love to look like that, but I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

Madness: What is your favorite way to finish a fight?

Benoit: I’ve never knocked anyone out in a fight and I would love to do it. I would love to land a head kick and knock my opponent out cold, stiff like a board, Michael Bisping style. I like submissions, but only if it’s a good one like a Peruvian necktie. I don’t mean the bulls**t submissions where you make a mistake and you get caught in a guillotine. I mean a submission that you really had to work for: subs like the ones Dustin Hazelett pulls off. His skills are nasty.

Madness: Where do you see yourself in two years?

Benoit: I’d love to be on one of the big shows. I was offered an opportunity to fight in the WEC twice as a fill-in fight, but it wasn’t the right time for me. I’d love to hold a belt on one of the smaller shows. I see myself working and still going to Renzo’s. I like the smaller shows. Maybe I could get a spot in a main event on HDNET for MFC. I want people to know who I am wherever I go. I want people to know that I come to fight. I love fighting for the WCF as they’re an awesome promotion and they take care of their fighters. My little brother is in a wheelchair and they put him right up front when I fight. They give you a good percentage of the tickets you sell, so I make pretty good money fighting for them. They actually put me on two billboards!

Madness: What advice would you give to a young kid looking to get into the sport?

Benoit: Start young and take your time. Get your education so you always have something to fall back on. If I could do it all over again, I would’ve gone to college. Learn all aspects of the game and don’t rush into a fight. Be patient and be humble. So many kids think because they are bad asses on the streets they can come in and do well. We go easy with them and they start swinging for the fences, so we’ll tap ‘em out a few times or crack good with a body shot to put them in their place. Renzo’s trainers preach humility.

Madness: What do you know about your opponent, Noah Weisman?

Benoit: He’s just got his brown belt about five months ago. He’s never wrestled and he’s 2-0 as a pro. He comes out with a lot of head movement and changes levels, but looks like he’s going to gas early. He looks like he has good takedown defense but I’ve wrestled for over 15 years. I’d like to stand and bang with him and see what he’s got. We’ll see what happens. I think it’ll be an exciting fight.

Madness: Anyone you’d like to thank?

Benoit: Boston Brawler. They make my shorts and t-shirts for me and it costs me nothing. They sponsor all of my fights. I wrestle up at Smitty’s Barn. I have to thank all of my training partners and most of all my fiancee Sarah. She’s been awesome.

You can see John and the rest of the WCF this Friday at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, MA. Head to their site for more information for what should be a great night of action. Tickets are still available!

Here’s a preview video:

Chase Hackett's stock is on the rise after knocking out WEC's Drew Dober.

Age: 23

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 155

Fighting out of: Littleton, CO

Nickname: Prison Stare

MMA Record: 5-1

A trip in a medi-vac helicopter can serve as cause to ponder your existence and contemplate your future. For Chase Hackett, this trip was enough to steer him away from the dangerous life of motocross racing and turn his attention to a kinder, gentler sport… MMA fighting.

Hackett’s helicopter journey followed a series of mishaps that started during a motocross race in Longmont, Colorado.  “It was the first moto of the day”, said Hackett. “The gate drops and I get a great start, however, I don’t make it around the first turn.  I went down and was run over by the other riders.  When I went to get back up, that’s when I saw my wrist almost touching my elbow”.

Surgeons were able to repair his broken bones, but Hackett was put in a cast from his hand to his shoulder. This would keep most people away from motorcycles for a lifetime, but Hackett couldn’t resist the urge. Just weeks later, during a camping trip, he convinced his parents to let him ride again. “It’s trail riding, nothing is going to happen.  It’s not a race or anything.”  Hackett told his parents. 

Still in a full arm cast, Hackett crashed his bike again. Flying over his handlebars, he put out his already broken arm to break the fall. Bad move. Hackett was knocked unconscious from the impact and added to his collection of broken bones.

“All I have memory of is the medics asking me if I knew who the current president was and I could not think of it”.

Hackett learned he was not invincible. He gave up motocross racing and was introduced to BJJ and MMA by his step-dad Tony Miller, an MMA fighter himself. Hackett was hooked.

“Today, mixed martial arts have become such a passion for me because it’s so similar to racing in terms of the competition as well as the adrenaline and emotions.  People think I’m crazy when I tell them I gave up motocross for fighting, but for me, it’s far more rewarding with a lot less risk”.

Hackett trains at Gumm Mixed Martial Arts, where he is coached by UFC veteran Brad Gumm and assistant coach Vern Baca.  Hackett also credits much of his success to his training partners Jeremy Malaterre, Chris Camozzi and Nick Macias, to name a few.

Brad Gumm likes what he sees in Hackett, “I couldn’t ask for anything more from a fighter. He trains his ass off, he is a super humble guy and he always performs like he’s had 20 pro fights”.

A well-rounded fighter, Hackett lists his strengths as “being really, really ridiculously good looking” and his weaknesses as “beautiful women and sunsets”. Whether this is his sense of humor, or the residual effects of prior head injuries, is a call only a trained physician can make.

Regardless of his current mental status, Hackett is coming off a huge win. He recently beat the undefeated, WEC signed fighter, Drew Dober. With a record of 13-0, Dober was a huge favorite. In fact, many didn’t believe Hackett stood a chance.

“It was an honor to fight Drew. He is a class act. That fight proved to myself that with hard work and determination you can achieve what some may doubt is possible”. Gumm added, “We came up with a game plan and Chase stuck to it perfectly”.

Hackett is back in the gym and hoping to fight again this November. His opponent is unknown, but Hackett would like to fight “The Ultimate Fighter 9” veteran Cameron Dollar. “Cameron has had a lot of recognition from TUF. I’ve watched him fight and I think we would make a good match-up.”

Until that fight, Hackett has promised to work on his already strong Tae Bo base. Gumm backed this up, “His Tae Bo skills have surpassed me. I think it is time to let him take over the class”.

Ridiculously good looking and a Tae Bo master, the future is looking bright for Chase Hackett.

Story by Troy “Red” Barron. Troy is a chiropractor, strength & conditioning specialist, “elderly” amateur MMA fighter and the owner of PerformanceMMA.com.

BombSquad MMA Up & Comer Pat Audinwood is focused on getting to the big show.

(Courtesy of PerformanceMMA.com)

Age: 23

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 155

Fighting out of: Cortland, NY

Nickname: “Awesomely Awesome”

MMA Record: 8-0-1

Team BombSquad, out of Cortland, NY, is well known for producing winners, including top light heavyweight prospect Jon Jones.

In fact, their fighters command an almost 80 percent winning percentage. One fighter keeping that percentage up is unbeaten Pat Audinwood.

Audinwood, like many young fighters, grew up watching the UFC. Sitting next to him during these fights was his cousin, IFL veteran and WEC fighter John Franchi.

“John got me into MMA”, Audinwood said. “He’s my coach, my training partner; he’s been the world to me. He’s really taught me everything I know”.

He’s still relatively new to the MMA scene, but he has progressed quickly thanks in part to his training with fellow young, hungry fighters.

“A lot of our guys are helping each other out,” Audinwood’s trainer Ryan Ciotoli said. “They’re each other’s coaches and they coach everyone around them.”

Audinwood was a wrestler during school in Elmira, NY, but doesn’t consider himself one-dimensional.

“I’ve got a wrestling background, but I’m pretty well-rounded,” Audinwood said.

Audinwood is an exciting striker content to stay on his feet if the fight goes that way.

“He’s got tough personality,” Ciotoli said. “He goes into practice every day and is one of those guys who can take a lot of shots. He has cardio and can push the pace. … He’s got a good overall game, wrestling, submission game. The improvement has been drastic.”

Ciotoli, along with Lenny Sonia, is credited with building Audinwood’s game, along with training partners Kenny Foster and Zach Burhans.

Audinwood is the Battle Cage Xtreme Champion at 155lbs and is willing to step up and fight anyone, anytime.

Many fighters say this, but it’s not always true, but there is proof that he means it.

Recently, he had agreed to take a fight on three-days notice. When asked who he was fighting, he didn’t even know.

While Audinwood is content to put his time in before fighting on MMA’s biggest stage, he almost had the opportunity. A late injury to Dan Lauzon had the UFC scrambling for a replacement.

“I found out the UFC called me to step in and replace Lauzon. I called them back right away, but they signed someone else less than five minutes earlier.”

He narrowly missed that chance, but if Audinwood continues winning, it’s a good bet the UFC will call again.

Ciotoli said Audinwood is getting on the radar for other companies other than the UFC, and that is only a matter of time before he is picked up.

“Pat’s definitely got a star quality about him,” Ciotoli said. “He’s not afraid to give a good interview. He’s entertaining. After his fights, he usually puts on an act.”

For example, recently after a fight, Audinwood did a routine similar to Hulk Hogan during the late 80s and early 90s to celebrate a victory.

It’s part of the Audinwood’s willingness to have fun and train hard while doing it.

“He’s the type of kid who cracks jokes at the gym,” Ciotoli said. “He keeps everyone up beat. He’s one of the team leaders. He does it by keeping things light in the practice room.”

Story by Troy “Red” Barron. Troy is a chiropractor, strength & conditioning specialist, “elderly” amateur MMA fighter and the owner of PerformanceMMA.com.

Tyler Toner beat the odds in Japan and is now doing the same in MMA.

Age: 26

Height: 5’9”

Weight: 145

Fighting out of: Boulder, CO

Nickname: Thunder

MMA Record: 10-1 (6-1 Pro)

Before the year is over, UFC fans will witness some of the top MMA talent Colorado has to offer. Eliot Marshall, Nate Marquardt, Brendan Schaub (The Ultimate Fighter 10), and Shane Carwin will all be featured on upcoming cards.

Training in the shadows of these fighters is Tyler Toner. In Toner’s case, his position there has more to do with his size than his talent. At 145 pounds, it’s hard to escape the shadows of this group (Carwin’s shadow alone swallows small buildings).

Toner is the current Ring of Fire featherweight champion and has wins in Strikeforce and Battlequest. His most memorable win, however, required a last minute trip out of the country.

“I was lying in bed about to fall asleep when Duane Ludwig calls me,” Toner said. “He asked if I could make weight for a fight in Japan, in less than two weeks.”

Toner told him he could. The fight was in the Shootboxing promotion and his opponent was heavily favored.

“I fought Kenichi Ogata the 2006 World Shoot Box Champion. I had to be a 100/1 underdog,” Toner said.

In fact, Kenichi had over 100 fights in his career compared to Toner’s ten. Toner won the fight with a first round knockout.

“People were actually crying in the stands after the fight”.

Toner started his martial arts training at age five studying Tae Kwon Do, but it was after watching UFC 1 that he found his way into MMA.

“I drove past a sign that said Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and immediately stopped to join.”

The gym was Easton Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, owned by Amal Easton. Toner has trained there ever since and now teaches classes as well.

Toner splits his training between Easton’s and T’s KO. His coaches include Trevor Wittman, Amal Easton, Duane “Bang” Ludwig, Eliot Marshall and Reid Delman.

When asked whether he travels outside of the state to train, Toner replied, “Colorado is my favorite place in the world. I don’t see any reason to travel. We have plenty of world-class guys in every discipline. I love all the guys I train with. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Toner’s training partners include Christian Allen, Sam Rauch, Vellore Caballero and Alvin Robinson.

Toner is currently recovering from surgery on a fractured hand. Although he broke it in the first round of his title fight against talented BJJ black belt Fabio Serrao, Toner went on to win the fight by unanimous decision.

Toner would like to fight again for Strikeforce, or maybe the WEC.

“I’ve got a long way to go for a title shot in those promotions, but I think I’ll get there eventually”.

Maybe the spotlight of the WEC or Strikeforce will shine strong enough to break Toner free from the shadows of his larger teammates.

Story by Troy “Red” Barron. Troy is a chiropractor, strength & conditioning specialist, “elderly” amateur MMA fighter and the owner of PerformanceMMA.com.

Jim Wallhead is ready to take his game on to the big stage.

(Courtesy of PerformanceMMA.com)

Age: 25                
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 170
Fighting out of: Loughborough, England
Nickname: “Judo” Jimmy Wallhead
MMA Record: 16-5 Pro

The UFC’s arrival to Britain has opened our eyes to a fight scene that was hidden to most. UFC stars Michael Bisping and Dan Hardy have led the way, followed by the UK cast of The Ultimate Fighter. MMA fans have taken notice of this new source of talent “across the pond”.

Emerging from this young group is Jim Wallhead. “Judo Jimmy” may lay claim as one of the top welterweight fighters in the UK.

As his nickname would suggest, Wallhead comes from a Judo background. He is a three-time British youth judo champion and was seventh at the Youth Olympics.  His entrance into MMA was completely by chance.

“I met a promoter at a show once and was offered a fight due to my solid judo background. I won my debut within 30 seconds,” Wallhead said.

MMA would prove to be a turning point for Wallhead.

“I lost my way in life around age 19-20. I got involved with the wrong crowd and the wrong activities,” Wallhead said. “Stumbling into MMA and meeting my girlfriend changed my life. I would probably be in prison by now, but I really believe the sport changed my life”.

Wallhead trains at the Rough House Gym in Nottingham alongside Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy, Paul “Semtex” Daley, Andre Winner, Dean Amasinger, Ross Pearson and Nick Osipczak.

 “My fighting style is a mix of stand up with good takedowns and strong GNP (ground-and-pound); taking the fight wherever is best for me depending on my opponent’s weaknesses,” Wallhead explained. “My strength is my takedown defense, which helps me control the fight in the range I choose.”

To round out his MMA game, Wallhead has striking coach Owen Comrie, grappling coach Nathan Leverton and strength & conditioning coach Ollie Richardson.

“MMA in the UK is continuously growing, with gyms springing up all over the place and solid fighters coming through.”

Notable wins for Wallhead include UFC vets Steve Lynch and Jason Tan.  His most recent victories came against a trio of Brazilian jiu jitsu black belts; Fabricio Nascimento, Igor Araujo and Fabio Toldo (two of which came via devastating knockouts).

When asked, who he would like to fight someday, Wallhead chose a fellow judo practitioner.

“I would love to fight Karo Parisyan in the UFC; partly because of the judo background and also because he is a highly-rated fighter. I believe I could take a serious and entertaining fight to him.”

The recent season of TUF was bittersweet for Wallhead.

“The Ultimate Fighter was great for MMA in the UK. I just wish I had made the show. I was told by Spike TV that I was too experienced. It would have changed my life, but there is a reason for everything.”

And there is reason to believe we will be seeing more of “Judo” Jimmy. Wallhead is scheduled to fight Spain’s Manuel “Manu” Garcia (17-9) on September 5th for the Clash of Warriors World Title in Nottingham, England.

 Troy “Red” Barron  is a chiropractor, strength & conditioning specialist, “elderly” amateur MMA fighter and the owner of PerformanceMMA.com. He can be contacted at Troy@MMAMadness.com

Brendan Schaub looks to continue his winning ways in The Ultimate Fighter Season 10: The Heavyweights

 (courtesy of PerformanceMMA.com)

Age: 26
Height: 6’ 4”
Weight: 240
Hometown: Aurora, Colorado
Nickname: Showtime
Pro MMA Record: 4-0

Sometimes all it takes to set someone’s life on course is the right movie. For Colorado native Brendan Schaub, that movie was the martial arts classic Bloodsport. “After watching that movie, I knew I wanted to study martial arts.”

Brendan didn’t have to go far to learn, his father was a 2nd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Brendan studied Tae Kwan Do for a short time, but while watching tapes of the UFC with his uncle, he knew that would be the sport for him.

But MMA would have to wait a while. For some time, it looked like football would be his future. Brendan played four years of football at the University of Colorado. He was talented enough to go on to play for the Utah Blaze in the Arena League and even made it to the NFL with the Buffalo Bills.

Then suddenly he walked away. “I just couldn’t get MMA out of my mind; I knew football wasn’t what I wanted anymore”.
Brendan returned to Colorado and began his MMA training. He started at High Altitude Martial Arts with Nate Marquardt.  He turned out to be a quick learner.

With less than 6 months of formal boxing training, Brendan thought he would test his skills in the 2008 Colorado Golden Gloves tournament.  He ended up winning the heavy weight title against an 8-0 army boxing champ.
That same year, and again with less than six months of training, he put his B.J.J. to the test. He was crowned the 2008 Colorado Open Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu Absolute Advanced Grand Champion (this included a win over UFC star Mike Nickels).
Brendan currently splits his training between T’s KO Fight Club in Colorado, with Trevor Wittman and Christian Allen; and Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts in New Mexico with Greg Jackson.
Just as important as the great instructors Brendan has, are the partners he trains with; and he has some incredible training partners. The list includes, Shane Carwin, Nate “The Great” Marquardt, Keith Jardine, Duane “Bang” Ludwig, Eliot Marshall, Shawn Simms, Brian Stann, James McSweeney and Joey Villasenor.

“When I’m training with guys like that on a daily basis, it makes my fights seem easy”.

There is no question Brendan has made his fights look easy. With a perfect 4-0 pro record, he has never been past a 1:20 of the first round. His most recent win was for the heavyweight title at the Ring of Fire in Denver, Colorado. He won by referee stoppage due to strikes in just 0:52 seconds.

Keep an eye out for Brendan Schaub; maybe someday the UFC tapes he watches with his uncle will contain his highlights!

Story by Troy “Red” Barron. Troy is a chiropractor, strength and conditioning specialist, “elderly” amateur MMA fighter and the owner of PerformanceMMA.com. You can contact Troy by e-mailing him at Troy@MMAMadness.com.