I was born without legs but that won’t stop me from making brutal MMA debut, says Zion Clark
AN ATHLETE born without legs is set to make his MMA debut.
Zion Clark was born without legs due to caudal regression syndrome, a rare disorder that impairs the development of the lower body.
But that has not stopped him from achieving a record-breaking career.
Now Clark is smashing more barriers with an MMA debut this weekend set against Eugene Murray for Gladiator Challenge in San Diego.
Clark, 25, told Fox LA: “I’m not exceptional because I don’t have legs and I’m an athlete.
“I’m exceptional because I have a drive and I live by the mantra ‘No excuses’ and I push myself forward every day.
“This is the start of another professional career for me and I’m here to rip his throat out and put on a show for the crowd.”
His opponent Murray has lost all four of his MMA bouts, most recently against Tommy Telles in July.
Clark has the Guinness World Record for highest box jump with the hands and the most diamond push ups in three minutes.
He also recorded the quickest 20-meter run on two hands.
But the inspirational star took his talents to combat, wrestling for Kent State University.
The All-American tried out for the US Paralympic track-and-field team for last year’s delayed Tokyo Olympics.
But he suffered a shoulder and back injury, setting his sights on the 2024 Games, even wanting to represent America in the Olympic wrestling squad.
Clark also has aspirations of signing for the UFC and warned he will defeat opponents in the cage, like he has on the wrestling mat.
He told TMZ: “It’s the same as it was wrestling for me. I just wrestle against able-bodied people, and I beat able-bodied people.
“Now I’m fighting able-bodied people, and I’m gonna knock out able-bodied people. It’s as simple as that. I’m a fighter.”