Schmit gets popped in Penticton

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Justin “The Animal” Schmit doesn’t know how to say no to a fight.
It doesn’t matter what day of the week, it doesn’t matter the opponent and it doesn’t even matter what sport — he never hesitates when it comes to stepping into the ring.
And that’s probably why he is now on the shelf for three months serving a medical suspension after his nose got caved in last weekend at Xcessive Force Fighting Championship 18: Diablo Fight Series at the Penticton Convention Centre in Penticton, B.C.
“If I were the type of person to pick and choose my fights, then I probably would be the same type of person that would come up with excuses when I lose,” said Schmit. “I heard that there was a promotion going on in Kelowna with a kid ready to make his pro debut so I jumped at the opportunity.”
The kid Schmit jumped into the cage with was Justin Doege, a 24-year-old Kelowna product that owned a 3-1 amateur record and was looking to make the jump into the professional ranks.
“I remember being young and looking for fights. I figured it was a great opportunity for the both of us,” said Schmit, who turned 33 the day before the fight.
It had been a while since Schmit stepped in the octagon. Recently, he has been boxing with Dekada Fight Night and picked up wins in his last two bouts.
Making the transition back into MMA wasn’t too difficult for the vet with 11 pro fights under his belt.
Schmit was also riding some momentum, too, as he won two of his last three decisions.
None of that mattered when Doege made his entrance at 255 pounds, while Schmit — who took the fight on very short notice — was only 206.
Doege tackled Schmit to the ground twice early in the first round. But the vet knew how to counter and got back to his feet both times.
Doege took Schmit to the ground again a third time. This time, when Schmit tried to escape, Doege popped him right on the nose, briefly knocking him out. With Schmit down and out, Doege got a couple more shots in before the ref stopped the fight at the three-minute mark.
The resulting damage was a busted nose, which Schmit figures is at least the 10th time it’s been broken, and a broken orbital bone.
“I stand by my record. I could have a lot cleaner of a record if I picked my fights a bit better, but there aren’t too many fighters around that will step up on short notice like I do,” said Schmit.
Schmit now has 90 days to hit the drawing board, as his medical suspension plays out. He is confident he will be back fighting in the ring in no time, as the fight schedule ramps up in the late fall.
Promoters from all around certainly know by now they don’t have to put him in an arm bar to get him to sign up for the next fight.
Schmit’s training partner didn’t have any better luck this weekend, but he still has all his bones intact.
Regan Running Rabbit was scheduled to fight at the same XFFC event as Schmit, but was forced to resign from the contest a few weeks prior with a nagging shoulder injury.
Running Rabbit believes he sustained the injury June 8 at the Prestige Fighting Championship 10 in Fort McMurray, when Mark Mosure threw him into a kimura. Trying to slip the hold, Running Rabbit believes something stretched in his shoulder.
“I couldn’t even lift my left arm above my head. It’s frustrating having to pull out of the competition like that especially coming off a loss, but you can’t go into a battle injured or you won’t stand a chance.
These days, Running Rabbit is jogging and working out as much as his body will let him, with hopes of being back in fighting shape for when the XFFC is supposed to make its debut in Calgary.
“Fighting close to home will be nice for many reasons, but it will be great to fight close to home and have some family and friends come out,” said Running Rabbit.