Whenever an athlete turns professional, he or she often runs into unexpected obstacles that test one’s patience and dedication. Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate (2015) Max Metzgar, has already encountered his fair share, beginning two years ago when his pro mixed martial arts debut on a Bellator event at Wintrust Arena in Chicago was scrapped at the last minute due to his opponent pulling out with an injury.
“I was about to head to the airport, and [Bellator] texted me and said the fight was off,” Metzgar told Wednesday Journal in an interview. “It was absolutely brutal and heartbreaking.”
Eventually, Bellator filed for bankruptcy and was acquired by the Professional Fighters League. The process led to Metzgar being out of competition for about a year and a half, and he reached a point where he had to take control of his career.
“Every month, PFL would text me and say, “Hey, we might throw you on this show. Make sure you’re staying busy,” Metzgar recalled. “They dragged me along, and I finally realized I had to take this into my own hands.”
Metzgar left the PFL and started fighting locally in Columbus, Ohio, where he trains. The move proved beneficial as he fought his first four matches as a welterweight (170 lbs.) and won each one, three of them by knockout.
His success caught the attention of Caged Thunder MMA, an Ohio-based promotion. The promoters have put Metzgar in a co-main event for their next pay-per-view broadcast, Caged Thunder 32, which takes place on June 7 in Canton, Ohio.
He will drop down to lightweight (155 lbs.) when he fights James Pfeiffer. He says this is the beginning of his push to get an invitation to join the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization – Ultimate Fighting Championship, more commonly called UFC.
“It’s a big opportunity. I’ve got to go out there and make a statement,” Metzgar said.
He added that defeating Pfeiffer via knockout would look great in the UFC’s eyes.
“5-0 is where you start turning eyes on a national scale,” he said, “especially if you’re knocking people out. It’s all about getting finishes. I have to [get an invite]; I know it’s going to happen.”
Metzgar’s fight against Pfeiffer, along with the other bouts on the card, can be ordered online at combatsportsnow.com for $34.99.
Also, O’Sullivan’s on Madison in Forest Park is hosting a watch party. The event starts at 6 p.m., and Metzgar figures his fight should start around 8:30.