Mixed martial arts fighter Jesse Arnett has learned to roll with the punches.
When Arnett’s opponent, Brazilian Alexandre Cime, had visa issues and was forced to withdraw from their upcoming Hard Knocks bantamweight title fight on March 9 – just one week before the scheduled match-up – Arnett didn’t let it get him down.
Instead, the current champ at 135 pounds moved himself up a weight class to take on Lethbridge featherweight Maged Hammo and put on a great show Friday night at Winsport.
And his tenacity paid off – “Big Cat” Arnett earned a second belt around his waist, and gave himself another opportunity to impress the powers-that-be at the pinnacle of mixed martial arts: the UFC.
“I was able to finish him in two rounds,” said Arnett this week. “Things went my way.”
Arnett headlined the stacked St. Patrick’s Day pounder and took out Hammo with a D’Arce choke in the second of three scheduled rounds. He now holds both the Hard Knocks Fighting Club’s bantamweight and featherweight titles.
The energetic, 5-foot-9 Calgary native, who includes Rival Boxing Gym in Cochrane as one of his training gyms, said he’s fought at 145 before, a few years ago, so he wasn’t intimidated by the possibility of going there again.
“I was getting ready to cut the last 10 pounds of water,” Arnett said, adding he wasn’t willing to give up the chance to go to war again after his last two fights were cancelled. “I had no choice – I had to fight.”
Big Cat’s dominant performances on the Canadian MMA circuit, along with his boisterous personality, have made him a prime candidate for the UFC, and many in the sport believe he has more than earned a shot at the big show.
With this weekend’s latest accomplishment, Arnett said there are movements in the works that may see him on the card of a “big promotion.” Though he’s not yet able to share details, he’s confident he will be able to make some positive announcements in the near future.
“This is my year,” said the fighter. “Right now, I’m the only guy around who’s really well-rounded at my level – I’m trouble for guys in all areas. I’ve just got to keep going in the gym and preparing for my next battle.
“Good things are ahead.”
