JOHN Beirouti used to play professional footy and get into “the odd scrap” on the field until a mate suggested he try the then-new sport of cage fighting.
He’s never looked back. It is now his life.
The 37-year-old, of Carrum Downs, has had one professional fight – for a win, and three amateur fights – and is training hard for Victoria’s first ever live – and legal – cage fighting tournament on 22 March. It is expected to draw 2000 spectators.
Cage fighting, which allows kicking, punching, grappling and submission holds using legs, arms and knees, has drawn criticism for its brutality, and because the eight-sided cage – or octogon – is derided as preventing a fighter escaping the violence.
The state government is set to overturn a ban on the use of the cage in time for the Flemington fight at Melbourne Pavilion and Australian Fighting Championship officials are confident they will get the green light beforehand.
Beirouti, a middleweight weighing 84kg, will fight Dean Martin. “We been sharing a bit of trash talk on Facebook” in the lead up to the bout, he admitted, adding that his nickname is “The Animal”.
“Everyone knows we can’t wait to get stuck into each other.”
Beirouti’s long-term goal is a place on the card of the 15 November Ultimate Fighting Championship blockbuster at Etihad stadium to be headlined – hopefully – by US superstars Jon Jones (presently with a 20-1 win-loss ratio) and the sport’s glamour queen Ronda Rousey (10-0).
The extravaganza is expected to draw 55,000 cage-fighting fans to the biggest combat sports event ever seen in Australia. It will be just the second UFC event to take place in a stadium. Most big-name fights in the US are held in large venues, such as hotel entertainment centres, which cater to thousands of fans.
“I know that if I can keep winning I will earn a place on that card,” he said.
Beirouti said he “loves the thrill” of the one-on-one contest which “allows me to punch someone’s head in – legally”.
His confidence is boundless: “I don’t accept losing,” he said. “I know that I will always win.”
Beirouti described cage fighting as “a bit like golf”. “You can never master it completely,” he said. “There’s always more to learn.”
As a full time professional fighter, he trains – hard – six days a week at Extreme Martial Arts at Chadstone and Ringwood. This involves three-hour bursts of mixed martial arts, wrestling, jujitsu and Thai boxing as well as gut-wrenching cardio runs over 5km.
Beirouti says “heaps of fans” appreciate his charity work, especially raising awareness of the risks of drug addiction, working alongside Janet Ablett, the sister of AFL star Gary.
Sponsorship from mates’ businesses, as well as betting company Ladrokes and alternative medicine company Your Health, covers his fuel and gym costs and he is about to launch a range of Team Animal clothing.
At 37, is age a negative factor? “I have kept my body in great condition and my coach says he has never felt strength like mine,” he said. “I am unique.”
