Notes & quotes from fighters of the Great White North. This week's edition: Horodecki, Mein & Cirkunov.
It's been a bit of a hiatus for the old K-O Canada, but with April bringing MMA to Ontario with a bang -- three events culminating with the record-breaking UFC 129 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on the last day of the month -- it seemed like a good time for a triumphant return. And it's fitting we bring the feature back in conjunction with a show organized by a promotion called Knockout Entertainment Canada.
On Saturday three young Canadians will be featured prominently in fights at MMA: The Reckoning in Orillia, Ont. It's the historic (in case you haven't been reminded enough already) first sanctioned event in the province (beating the UFC's much-ballyhooed Ontario debut by four weeks). A couple of the guys are locals, so be advised, there's going to be a lot of gushing about MMA finally coming to their home soil.
Hammer time
Chris (The Polish Hammer) Horodecki, as his nickname suggests, was born in Poland, but raised in nearby London, Ont. At only 23 years old, he could still be considered a kid compared to the majority of MMA fighters at his level.
Unfortunately, one of those losses came in his last fight against Donald Cerrone on the last WEC show before the organization merged into the UFC. As a result, he was cut before he could get his first opportunity in MMA's biggest show.
Horodecki said he was a bit surprised he got released, especially considering how well he had been performing. But he realizes it was simply about roster size.
"I was coming off two wins, so I wasn't thinking they were going to let me go (after just one loss)," Horodecki said. "But when you add a whole other organization within the UFC, there's so many lightweights. A lot of the featherweights and bantamweights, those guys came off losses, and they still got kept. But whatever ... it just fuels me now. I'm going to keep winning and in no time I'll be right back."
It didn't take long for him to get another opportunity, and a good one at that. He said he had a few different offers, but this -- a co-main event fight against rising American David Castillo, on the first ever show in his home province -- was the best one.
"Word started buzzing in January about the first show. They were looking to have me on it and I was right on board. I would have loved to be in Toronto with the UFC, but this is the next best thing."
Horodecki also loves the pressure that will come with the fact this is a historic show that will pave the way for future ones in Ontario.
"I feed off this stuff," Horodecki admitted. "I've been waiting a long time; this has been always talked about since I got involved in this sport, to bring the sport here. It's finally happened."
Misha mash
Misha Cirkunov is another one who is technically not a native of Canada, but he's been living here long enough to call himself Canadian.
Cirkunov, who just turned 25 in February, was born in Latvia from Russian parents but moved here when he was 13. And while he still has fond memories of his "small European country full of people with big hearts," the Torontonian proudly calls his new country home.
While English is his third spoken language (behind Russian, then Latvian) you could say his universal language is martial arts. He has competed in judo, wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu -- and has represented Canada in all three.
Today his focus is squarely on MMA. On Saturday, in front of 5,000 people, Cirkunov (2-1) will face Ion Cherdivara in a light-heavyweight bout that is easily the biggest fight of his short career.
"I'm very excited. This is the biggest show I've fought on," Cirkunov said. "A lot of family, a lot of students and a lot of friends (will be there)."
Cirkunov, who was the first instructor to get hired when a new Xtreme Couture gym opened in Toronto in June 2008, teaches classes at the facility which is just five minutes from his home. Now the notorious grappler will get a chance to showcase his skills just a relatively short drive away.
"I've been waiting for a really long time for this," Cirkunov said. "We've always been the away team. We've always traveled to go to events and at the same time cutting weight and that's not the best thing to do.
"Everything's going to be smoother and easier. I'm planning to put on a good show, but most importantly, win the fight."
Mein event
Jordan Mein may not be from Ontario, but he'll definitely be waving the red and white flag when he headlines the card against former UFC welterweight Josh Burkman. The 21-year-old from Lethbridge, Alta. is just as thrilled to be taking part in the show at Casino Rama.
"It's an honour," Mein said. "Fighting at the casino is going to be fun and there's going to be a ton of fans there so I'm excited."
While it's somewhat surprising he was penciled into the main event slot rather than an accomplished Ontarian like Horodecki, Mein (20-7) actually has more experience overall despite being a couple years younger.
Mein is 20-7 as a pro and 7-1 in his past eight, which includes a knockout of UFC and Strikeforce veteran Joe (Diesel) Riggs in January. So on the other hand; it's also a little surprising Mein has yet to get a call from the UFC brass.
But a decision loss to Jason High in October may have set him back on this path a bit. Still, he took a lot from that experience.
"I learned I can compete at a high level," Mein said. "I just have to keep fighting throughout the entire fight and if I'm tired, just keep going hard."
Mein, who says his strengths lie in his fast-paced style, believes the fight Saturday could go anywhere, and he's ready for it. He's not worried about the extra pressure of putting on a great performance in the final fight of this showcase event.In fact, he likes that extra motivation.
"I want all the pressure I can get," Mein admitted. "I love it. The more pressure, the more people around watching, the better."
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