Running Rabbit resets MMA title shot
By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter
Photo Courtesy of Joel Griffith/MMA Empire
After starting his mixed martial arts (MMA) career with a pair of convincing wins, Running Rabbit was given his first chance at the welterweight amateur title June 8 at Prestige Fighting Championship 10 in Fort McMurray.
Running Rabbit’s fight was always supposed to be the co-main event, but after the main event got cancelled, the Siksika Nation product got thrust into the spotlight.
“It’s very overwhelming and everything is moving so fast now,” said Running Rabbit. “I’m 30, so I have to enjoy these moments when I can, but I was super stoked to get the chance to headline an event.”
Running Rabbit’s opponent was Mark Mosure, a B.C. fighter who was also 2-0 and gunning for the vacant title at 170 pounds.
Mosure is more known for his work on the ground, while Running Rabbit likes to stay on his feet and chuck bombs.
Walking out to Hatebreed’s Never Let It Die in front of a crowd of over 300 people at the Casman Centre, Running Rabbit was getting pretty jacked up with adrenaline.
“It was absolutely amazing to be in that position. It was quite a rush making my way out to the ring,” said Running Rabbit. “The venue was really nice; they had a live band playing, the light show was incredible and the crowd was amazing.
“Too bad the fight didn’t go a different way.”
Early in the first round, Running Rabbit caught Mosure with a spinning heel kick to the side of the head.
“After that, he didn’t want to stand up and throw with me,” said Running Rabbit.
After weighing in at 169.7 pounds, Running Rabbit figures he was up to 172 by the time the bell rang. Just by going off of feel, he figured Mosure had climbed back up to near 180.
Mosure was using that extra weight to control the ground game on top of Running Rabbit, pinning him to the mat and not allowing him to get back to his feet.
“He is a very strong guy and he was quite heavy when he got on top,” said Running Rabbit. “He’s a guy that came down from a heavier division, so it was hard to shake him off once he got on top.”
Even though he picked up his first career amateur loss, Running Rabbit took solace knowing he was the first fighter to last all three rounds against Mosure. The scorecard ruled a unanimous decision for the B.C. product.
After finally climbing into position to fight for a belt, this loss is going to delay Running Rabbit’s chance at another title fight. He entered the fight ranked 10th in Western Canada but has since dropped to 17th according to Tapology.
“It’s back to the drawing board right now,” said Running Rabbit. “I need to get back to training and hopefully get on another win streak and we will see what happens.”
Back at Apex Gym, training alongside other MMA and boxing fighters, Running Rabbit will now prepare for his next fight July 21 in Penticton, B.C. at the Xcessive Force Fighting Championship 18.