Sweet Redemption for Ettish
Brian Knapp Aug 19, 2009
Victory finally paid a visit to one of the sport’s true
ambassadors.
Fred Ettish put a 15-year wait behind him on Saturday, as the 54-year-old UFC veteran struck Kyle Fletcher into submission at an event co-promoted by Cage Fighting Xtreme and Gladiator Challenge in Brainerd, Minn. Ettish (1-1) delivered strikes from the mount to force the stoppage some three minutes into the match.
“The fight was interesting,” Ettish said. “Didn’t go exactly like I
wanted it to, but, then again, I think they seldom ever do. I felt
very uncomfortable on my feet, and that’s where I almost always
feel best in the gym. Fletcher had an unusual style, and I never
got into a rhythm.”
Ettish had not competed professionally in MMA since an ill-fated appearance at UFC 2 on March 11, 1994 at Mammoth Gardens in Denver. Shortly after their fight began, Johnny Rhodes clipped Ettish with a pair of thudding right hands that sent him tumbling to the canvas. Rhodes proved relentless with his follow-up barrage, and Ettish submitted to a rear-naked choke soon after.
“I apologized for the groin kick,” Ettish said. “He kind of hopped up as I threw the kick. I intended it for his lower abdomen, and I caught him square in the cup. It sucks, and I feel like s--t about that.”
Eventually, their duel went to the ground, but Ettish remains uncertain as to how it moved there.
“On the ground, I felt great; never was in danger,” he said. “It was kind of funny. I don’t know what he knocked me down with or if I slipped as I was getting hit or what. I remember all of a sudden being on the ground and thinking, ‘S--t, how the hell did that happen? Guess I better get in gear and do something about this.’”
Fletcher worked for a submission, but Ettish kept himself out of trouble and ultimately transitioned to a more advantageous position.
“His guillotine was locked in, but my position on top prevented me from being in any danger,” he said. “I tried to keep him pinned to the fence, keep pressure down on him and get him to burn his arms out trying to work the guillotine. Got the stand-up and hit him with some leg kicks. Ended up in an awkward clinch and managed to sweep him and get top position. Got him to tap from the strikes.”
Vindication was his, 15 years, five months and four days after he lost to Rhodes at UFC 2. Ettish -- who resides in Kansas City, Mo., where he runs a martial arts gym affiliated with Miletich Fighting Systems -- has not ruled out competing again in the future.
“Although I was thrilled to get the win, I wanted to look a bit better doing it,” he said. “I guess fighting once every 15 and a half years isn’t the way to look sharp. If I do it again, I will try to execute better. I did feel outstanding physically. I wasn’t even close to being tired or gassed and felt strong for the weight. I weighed in at 159 without any real difficulty, so if I do another one that isn’t at a catch weight, I would do it at 155.”
Fred Ettish put a 15-year wait behind him on Saturday, as the 54-year-old UFC veteran struck Kyle Fletcher into submission at an event co-promoted by Cage Fighting Xtreme and Gladiator Challenge in Brainerd, Minn. Ettish (1-1) delivered strikes from the mount to force the stoppage some three minutes into the match.
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Ettish had not competed professionally in MMA since an ill-fated appearance at UFC 2 on March 11, 1994 at Mammoth Gardens in Denver. Shortly after their fight began, Johnny Rhodes clipped Ettish with a pair of thudding right hands that sent him tumbling to the canvas. Rhodes proved relentless with his follow-up barrage, and Ettish submitted to a rear-naked choke soon after.
His match with Fletcher had a decidedly different feel, though
Ettish had some shaky moments, including an inadvertent kick to his
opponent’s groin.
“I apologized for the groin kick,” Ettish said. “He kind of hopped up as I threw the kick. I intended it for his lower abdomen, and I caught him square in the cup. It sucks, and I feel like s--t about that.”
Eventually, their duel went to the ground, but Ettish remains uncertain as to how it moved there.
“On the ground, I felt great; never was in danger,” he said. “It was kind of funny. I don’t know what he knocked me down with or if I slipped as I was getting hit or what. I remember all of a sudden being on the ground and thinking, ‘S--t, how the hell did that happen? Guess I better get in gear and do something about this.’”
Fletcher worked for a submission, but Ettish kept himself out of trouble and ultimately transitioned to a more advantageous position.
“His guillotine was locked in, but my position on top prevented me from being in any danger,” he said. “I tried to keep him pinned to the fence, keep pressure down on him and get him to burn his arms out trying to work the guillotine. Got the stand-up and hit him with some leg kicks. Ended up in an awkward clinch and managed to sweep him and get top position. Got him to tap from the strikes.”
Vindication was his, 15 years, five months and four days after he lost to Rhodes at UFC 2. Ettish -- who resides in Kansas City, Mo., where he runs a martial arts gym affiliated with Miletich Fighting Systems -- has not ruled out competing again in the future.
“Although I was thrilled to get the win, I wanted to look a bit better doing it,” he said. “I guess fighting once every 15 and a half years isn’t the way to look sharp. If I do it again, I will try to execute better. I did feel outstanding physically. I wasn’t even close to being tired or gassed and felt strong for the weight. I weighed in at 159 without any real difficulty, so if I do another one that isn’t at a catch weight, I would do it at 155.”
