SASKATOON – The only Saskatchewan-born mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter on the Ultimate Fighting Championship tour now has the province’s first career UFC victory.
Saskatoon’s Mitch Clarke defeated John Maguire on Saturday night at UFC 161 in Winnipeg, for his first career UFC victory.
“I was a big underdog in that fight and I came out on top,” said Clarke, who returned to Saskatoon this week.
“It’s a huge sense of accomplishment just getting a win in the UFC and especially against a very tough opponent with twice my experience.
Clarke and Maguire went the full three rounds in the lightweight preliminary card and then it was up to the judges to decide. All three ruled Clarke for the win, by a score of 29-28.
Clarke remembers the feelings he went through when the referee raised his hand in victory.
“The culmination of the last seven years of hard work and sacrifice kind of coming out all at once,” said Clarke. “There was a lot of people saying I couldn’t do it; saying I’d never get a win in the UFC.”
After starting his UFC career 0-2, people were writing Clarke off. A loss on Saturday night could have resulted in him being let go by the UFC.
“They have such a big roster now that you’ve got to earn your spot there,” he said. “I’m very happy I won the fight, and still have a job.”
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