Chatham-Kent MMA Profile: Steve Eldridge

Chatham-Kent mixed martial artist Steve Eldridge may only be a few years into his MMA training in the gym, but he has been mentally preparing for a life of fighting his entire life. I caught up with Steve outside of his gym, Redemption MMA.

“Just my friends started training in the gym, started just after graduation and ever since then I have been pretty dedicated to the sport.” With that, Eldridge gave a solid indication that he knows there are two important sides to competing in any sport.

“I`ve been in the gym and training up here,” he pointed up to his temple to indicate he has been training his mind, something that gets lost sometimes in the punching and kicking. as it takes the body and mind to excel in combat sports. Mental make-up and will are key components to getting your butt in the gym for hard training every day.

Coach Chris Kimmerly is key in that regard as it is clear that he pushes his fighters to get to the gym regularly because he cares about his fighter`s safety and how they perform.

I then asked Eldridge who influences him in this game?

“Rory MacDonald is a huge influence right now. He’s looking better every time he fights and he is training with GSP so, even GSP says he is the next GSP.”

Young Canadian fighters are fortunate to have many role models at the top of the game right now, and can now easily find footage of Mark Hominick, Sam Stout or Rory MacDonald to help guide them in style.

Eldridge is looking at the right men to follow a path to success.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and correspondent for MMACanada.net. Catch him on Facebook and Twitter @wakafightermma.