Chatham-Kent MMA Profile: Tyler Kirk

Chatham mixed martial artist Tyler Kirk is focussed on fighting for his passion and future in life, and he looks to go about it with the discipline of an army soldier. Kirk was set to join the army about a year ago and was looking for some initial combat trainnig when he walked through the doors of Redemption MMA.

I asked him what got him started in this sport.

“I was looking to join the army and wanted to get some combat training so I came to Redemption an now I have a love for this so..” Kirk told me. I spoke with Kirk outside Redemption MMA where the impressive fighter was training immediately following a four fight day in the ICAD jiu-jitsu tournament earlier that day. His work ethic is on track under the guidance of his coach Chris Kimmerly.

I then asked him if the army is still in his plans, “No I`m staying back to go for it and further my career in mixed martial arts.”

Kirk currently has three MMA fights under his belt and holds a 2-1 record. His only loss was a tough one as he rolled his ankle during the fight and was unable to recover. His next challenge comes this weekend in Melvindale, Michigan where he will be fighting in the Michigan Combat League.

It is always good to have fighters to look up to and emulate and Kirk has got it right when telling me who his mentors are in the game.

“Mark Hominick, his fast-striking style and Clint Kingsbury and his wrestling skills, really all the Adrenaline guys I look up to, I`m tryin gto get up to their level. I work with Chris for my striking, he`s a really good stand up guy, and we do smoker matches which is like kickboxing to keep our striking skills up to par.”

Tyler’s next fight is this weekend October 21st, in the Michigan Combat League.

Watch a video interview with Tyler Kirk below:

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and correspondent for MMACanada.net.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter >@wakafightermma