Eldridge, Dawson To Compete At MMA Nationals In Calgary

Chatham’s Steve Eldridge and Matt Dawson compete at the MMA Nationals in Calgary this weekend

C-K Combat’s Steve Eldridge and Matt Dawson have the biggest fights of their careers on the horizon this weekend in Calgary.

The two Chatham mixed-martial-artists are competing on the national level with a chance to represent Canada at the World Championship in Las Vegas, as part of a UFC under-card.

Eldridge and Dawson both qualified for nationals by winning the regional competition in Brantford in their respective weight classes. Eldridge fights at 155 pounds, where he is the local Maple City CageFighting 155-pound champion.

Eldridge says he’s ready for the opportunity. “I’m approaching this as if it’s the next level, as if this is what takes me to that next step on the podium in order to go pro and be prepared with all the necessary experience,” he told 99.1 CKXS. “This is the biggest test I’ve had so far in my career. My title fights were a huge test but this is going all across Canada to fight at the national level with some top tier competition.”

Confidence has never been a problem for the 27-year-old grappler. Eldridge is aware of the big stage ahead, but is confident in his skill-set. “I think I’m going to do really well, I’ve been through a lot in my career in and out of the cage. Nothing has stopped me from doing great things or bringing the best version of me I can be going in and coming out of that cage.”

Chatham’s Matt “The Pitbull” Dawson is a training partner of Eldridge and has become known as an electric, entertaining fighter, always at high energy.

“He’s a hell of a fighter,” added Eldridge. “He never gives up and I really can’t wait till he steps back in there. I’m really glad he’s with me because it makes me feel that more comfortable being there plus our confidence runs through the both of us.”

Dawson competes in the 135-pound division where he fights for the 135-pound title in Maple City Cage Fighting’s event on June 4th at the Chatham Banquet and Conference Centre.

C-K Combat’s Tyler Kirk told 99.1 CKXS, this weekend’s fights are the opportunity of a lifetime for both Eldridge and Dawson.

“The nationals are a big deal and (basically) a try out for team Canada. The nationals are run like a tournament with single loss elimination. Each fight is three rounds, three minutes per round. We hope to see Steve and Matt get three or four fights each.”

Fights open on Friday and run through the weekend.