Randy Thorsvig (left, shown here with famous MMA cut man "Stitch" Duran) has overcome many obstacles to pursue his dream of being a professional fighter. (Photo courtesy of Randy Thorsvig)
The North Dakota-based Impact Fighting Championship holds its inaugural event, IFC: Inception on October 23 in Bismarck. Headlining the card is a bout between hometown heavyweight newcomer Jason Cook (0-0) and a man who was a recent guest on MMA Gospel Radio, Randy Thorsvig (0-0).
Okay, so what? Many would ask why a bout between two rookie fighters on the first card of a local show is garnering so much attention. That reason would be Randy Thorsvig. Randy battled an alcohol addiction that consequently led to massive weight-gain, being restricted to a wheel chair, and ended in a gastric bypass surgery in January. The fact that he then put in the time, blood, and sweat necessary to step in the cage that same year is inspirational in and of itself. Oh yeah, and the fact that Randy turned forty last month.
Naysayers claim it’s insane for any forty-year-old to seek a career in combat sports, especially a man who has never fought a full contact match in his life. Others point to the fact that this man literally sat on death’s door less than one year ago. Thorsvig says, “I got a second chance at a dream, I’m gonna take advantage of it. I don’t see myself as a fighter. I see myself as a guy who is lucky enough to get a chance to experience what these guys feel when they step in the ring.” Continue reading »
