'I hope to bring home that win': Indigenous Sask. MMA fighter preparing to make his debut
A Saskatchewan man from Sturgeon Lake First Nation is preparing to make his debut as a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter on the main card in the UFC sanctioned Battlefield Fight League (BFL).
Caleb Ermine will make his professional MMA debut in the cage against Ozhan Yalcin in Vancouver on Dec. 3. At 5 foot 10 inches and 157 pounds, Ermine is classified as featherweight.
“It’s just something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid,” said Ermine.
Others are looking forward to seeing him enter the cage.
“I’m super excited to see what he can do,” said North Wake Martial Arts founder Lucian Phillips. “He’s just a well rounded athlete. He’s skilled, he’s got great hands. He’s a tough guy to get around.”
Ermine trains five days a week at North Wake and three days a week with a club in Saskatoon to work on his wrestling.
“He came in very green and over the years he’s grown into a guy that I think can handle being put into a professional fight,” said Phillips.
Ermine is training alongside Ryan Rohovich, 34, who’s also on the BFL main card.
“We’re going to represent our province. I just hope I can perform to my full potential,” said Ermine.
LIVING HIS CHILDHOOD DREAM
Ermine started boxing competitively in 2008 in R U Tuff Enuff. He says stories about his late grandfather Hilliard Ermine captivated his imagination at a young age and he aspired to be like his grandfather, a Second World War veteran who boxed in the army.
“My grandfather was a boxer and I decided I wanted to be in that ring one day and I just went ahead and did it."
MMA has helped him discover new things about himself and experience different emotions, said Ermin. He says he’s fighting has also challenged him to work on the mental part of the competition.
“In the past I’ve let my mind get to me and it hasn’t served me well,” said Ermine. “I hope to bring home that win.”
Ermine said he’s currently in “the best shape of his life.” He’s worked as a teacher’s assistant and said he wants to inspire children to live out their dreams.
“My main goal is to promote how much of a life changer any combat sport can be. You don’t even have to compete, you can do it for your mind,” said Ermine.
He said he’s had to overcome being homeless, a single parent and in the last year, five of his family members have died.
“MMA has kept me out of trouble, kept me healthy, kept my mind strong,” said Ermine.
“Training really helped me carry on through life. My coaches have passed a lot of knowledge to me.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.