It’s Big Cat versus Brutal next weekend, as mixed martial artist Jesse Arnett headlines the main card against a former UFC fighter – aiming to extend his winning streak to nine and claim the Z Promotions vacant bantamweight belt.
Cochrane’s Rival Boxing Gym trainer said he’s been training hard for weeks to be ready for his matchup against Johnny Bedford, who appeared on the Ultimate Fighter TV series and fought seven times in the UFC before being released in 2014.
The highly-anticipated fight caps off a stacked card at the Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat, which also includes Ultimate Fighter Season 3 winner Kendall Grove taking on Matt Baker and guillotine master Cody Mackenzie looking for the win against MMA veteran Joe Riggs.
When it comes to Bedford, Arnett isn’t afraid to talk big.
“He’s got heart, he’s got will – the difference is going to be skill,” said Arnett. “I’m better than him at everything.”
Arnett was a nationally-ranked wrestling champ and became disillusioned with sport after narrowly missing a spot on the Canadian Olympic wrestling team two cycles in a row.
It took him three years of “hard times and hard lessons” to right himself before he found his way to MMA.
“I was bitter … hanging out with the wrong people,” Arnett recalled. “Now, with age comes maturity. I won’t let this second chance slip – I’ll make sure I capitalize on every opportunity.
“This is my Olympics now. This is it.”
