This past weekend, Steve “The Boss” Bossé, a former semi-pro hockey player, knocked out James Te-Huna at UFC Fight Night 85 in Brisbane, Australia. Bossé delivered a sharp right hand to Te-Huna’s jaw to end the fight at the 52-second mark of the first round.
The win improved Bossé’s overall record to 11-2 (9 by KO/TKO) and evened his UFC record at 1-1. Only three of the Canadian’s fights have lasted beyond the first round.
[fusion_title size=”4″]FROM ENFORCER TO MMA[/fusion_title]
Movies like Slap Shot and Goon famously celebrated the role of the enforcer in hockey, but the brawler’s utility to NHL teams has steadily declined since decade-old rule changes decreased the frequency of fights.
Bossé spent five years as an enforcer on semi-pro hockey teams, during which time he engaged in the neighborhood of 220 fights. The move to mixed martial arts has reduced his average fight load from four a week during the hockey season to just four a year in the octagon.
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Punching power in a hockey fight is generated by grabbing the opponent’s jersey and then repeatedly throwing crosses with your dominant hand. For his MMA fights, Bossé had to become a much more technical boxer and develop his ground game as well.
[fusion_title size=”4″]THREE’S COMPANY[/fusion_title]
With his tough guy appearance and occupational choice, one might expect Bossé to own a pit bull or rottweiler, but he and his wife opted instead for a doe-eyed chihuahua. Ay caramba!
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