Former wrestler pursues mixed martial arts passion - Jan. 30, 2013
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Trent Moses, left, has competed in a handful of MMA events, and desires to do so more often.
Vern Faulkner
Fredericton
There’s a drive in Trent Moses, a drive to compete that hasn’t diminished since the 2012 graduate has moved to Fredericton.
Moses, a key member of the St. Stephen High School wrestling team and the national Greco-Roman wrestling champion in his weight division, has found a new passion: mixed martial arts.
He first delved into MMA in the summer of 2012.
“It was just something I started training ... and started to enjoy.
Moses’s first competition was October, and he has now logged two MMA fights in New Brunswick, as well as four victories at an MMA tournament in Montreal.
The transformation from national wrestling champion to mixed martial arts hasn’t been easy, but Moses has had the benefit of solid coaching.
“My coach, now, he’s a four-time world-champion kickboxer, so that’s what I’ve been making my biggest improvements on.”
Moses had dabbled in karate at one point in his teenage years, which has helped that transition. Further, the solid wrestling base gained as one of the standouts on the vaunted SSHS team, has certainly helped.
“I switched wrestling into more ju-jistu, grappling and submission,” said Moses.
MMA is growing in popularity, but as it does, is also gaining criticism from those who say the sport is excessively violent.
Moses doesn’t shirk from that description.
“It’s not for everyone, for sure. It’s definitely more violent,” he said.
But he also offers a perspective: training and focus are vital tools to reducing the chance of injury.
“It is a violent sport. I think, when people get hurt, the main reason is that people aren’t training for it and think they can just walk in there.
Two trained people, who know how to defend themselves, you don’t really get hurt.”
So far, Moses hasn’t suffered serious injury in the octagon. And he plans on logging a whole lot of hours in the mixed-martial arts venue, while also attempting to find his way back to the national wrestling championships.
His goal, he stated, “is to keep a winning streak going, maybe get some wins in professional.”
A match is slated in Moncton, Feb. 16, he said.
“We’re looking at a few more tournaments in Montreal,” he added.
“Right now, I’m taking any fight – amateur fight – around, just for experience.”
But he hungers for the larger stage
“For that to happen, I need to build up a record.”
Moses is A gentle, soft-spoken man, and as such, his personality seems at odds with his newfound passion.
But he quietly explains that he’s always had a love of competition, and now, as he’s growing older, that passion and drive is something that team sports (he used to play rugby and football) just can’t sate.
“It’s competitiveness,” he said, explaining that there’s a certain draw to one-on-one, man-against-man conflict. “I love competing in that way.
“Everything else seems too easy when you have a team behind you. I like the pressure, the rush I get.”
editor@stcroixcourier.ca
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