A wrestling standout born with no legs won his professional MMA debut on Saturday night - and he is targeting a future in the UFC.
Zion Clark is a 25-year-old former college wrestler who was born with no legs due to a rare birth disorder called caudal regression syndrome. Despite spending most of his youth in foster care, Clark refused to let his condition hold him back in any walk of life as he became a talented wrestler and eventually got a university scholarship for his skills on the mat.
He holds several Guinness World Records, such as the highest box jump from the hands, the most diamond push-ups in three minutes and the quickest 20-meter run on two hands. Clark made his first-ever appearance in the cage against Eugene Murray, who is not disabled, at Gladiator Challenge in San Diego as he won all three rounds of the fight to have his hand raised by unanimous decision.
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As the fight started, it was clear that Clark was looking to try and take his opponent down whenever the opportunity presented itself. Two minutes into the opening round, he secured the first takedown of the fight but Murray was able to get to his feet after a brief period on his back.
Murray was unable to land kicks to the head of Clark as because he has no legs, the rules of MMA technically mean he is a grounded opponent at all times unless he jumps off the floor. Clark moved to 1-0 with the win whilst Murray, who made his pro debut in 2018, fell to 0-5 with the loss.
Clark made clear his intentions to sign with the UFC after internet celebrity Hasbulla, who was born with Growth Hormone Deficiency, signed a UFC contract earlier this year. “No way Hasbulla got a UFC contract, I literally fight guys twice my size and still win," Clark tweeted. "If true I’m throwing little man when I see him like a football. I swear then give me the contract Dana unless you have a problem with the disabled levelling up like me!"
The inspirational 25-year-old also told TMZ Sports of his disability “It’s the same as it was wrestling for me. I just wrestle against able-bodied people, and I beat able-bodied people. “Now I’m fighting able-bodied people, and I’m gonna knock out able-bodied people. It’s as simple as that. I’m a fighter.”
