Enter the cage
Title and glory are on the line in this weekend’s MCC 25 event
Kevin “The Fire” Burns and Elvis “The King” Mutapcic’s path to this weekend’s Midwest Cage Championship (MCC) 25: “Inferno” has been well documented. Burns, a five-time UFC veteran, once stunned the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world by submitting Roan Carneiro at UFC 85. Mutapcic, a native of Sarajevo, Bosnia, is the current MCC Middleweight Champion. But while the glitz and glamour of these honors have come and gone, both fighters still consider themselves at the top of their game.
“I can’t wait to get into the ring and go punch for punch with my opponent,” said Burns, who is holds a 7-4 MMA record. “It’s been a long time since I’ve competed, but I feel my body is in great shape to go against anyone.”
The 30-year-old fighter has been training 30 hours a week outside of his full-time job at Wells Fargo to prepare for his bout in the welterweight division against Sean Huffman. Burns recently returned from the Grudge Training Center in Denver, Colo., where he joined approximately 40 other top-level fighters training for MMA events.
“They have some world-class striking coaches at the center,” Burns said. “Everyone practices together and there is a real sense of camaraderie. I want to create that in Iowa.”
Although Burns’ March 13 opponent has already changed twice leading up to the event, he says his preparation for the bout does not sway.
“Honestly, I don’t know much about Sean, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter,” Burns said. “My game plan might be tweaked a little, but the training is always the same.”
As for Mutapcic (5-1), the 23-year-old fighter will look to defend his belt against Brett “The Natural Disaster” Stevens (13-3). Even with the belt around his waist, Mutapcic believes he has something to prove.
“I’ve always think that you’re not a champion unless you can defend your title,” Mutapcic said. “I have what Brett wants, and if he wants it, he has to beat me.”
Stevens, who will make his MCC debut, recently won a gold medal in the ADCC Grappling Competition in Las Vegas. According to www.midwestcagechampionship.com, Stevens believes his opponent is a one-dimensional fighter, but Mutapcic says things aren’t always as they seem.
“Opponents who think I’m one dimensional haven’t looked at my submission record,” said Mutapcic, who has three submissions and two knockouts. “If he believes I only fight one way, he’s in for a surprise.”
While fighters admit to taking a beating in the ring, each says it’s worth it.
“My body has suffered a lot, but right now I’m in the best condition I’ve ever been in,” Mutapcic said. “I’ve been training nonstop for this event because it means a lot to me. For fans who have never seen a live fight, I promise if I win, lose or draw, I’ll put on a great show.”
Burns agrees.
“You really have to stay motivated in this sport, or it’ll eat you up,” he said. “You have to have the burning desire in you to be the best. When you love competing, you just want to keep doing it. It’s really unexplainable. And when you’re body tells you no more, that’s when you walk away.”
Locker Room note: The 9th annual Iowa Referee Academy will take place Saturday, March 13 and Sunday, March 14 at Des Moines University, 3200 Grand Ave. Admission is free. Check-in registration begins at 8 a.m. Lunch will be provided, along with door prizes and a raffle. Speakers include FIFA referees Tom Supple and Mark Geiger. Visit www.iowareferees.org. CV
CAPTION: Twelve bouts are scheduled for MCC 25: “Inferno” at Hy-Vee Hall on Saturday, March 13. Photo courtesy of Midwest Cage Championship
