Joint Contrast

Words by – J.C. Carnahan

Photos by – Dank Lucas

If the thought of strikingly swift kicks to the body and submission-inducing choke holds is an image that causes queasiness, then let’s assume the story of Ryan “The Lion” Madigan is of little concern to you.

But before making such a sudden rush to judgment about a competitor in the world of mixed martial arts, know that it’s not all tap-outs and barbarian behavior so often exhibited in the ring. Madigan is a practical businessman too, preparing for a second life in this sport as a trainer for other aspiring fighters.

With those full-time ideas still years ahead of him, Madigan is looking to take full advantage of an opportunity to compete at the summit of the MMA movement. But that’s not to say the chance to do so showed up at his doorstep overnight. In fact, if not for his willingness to evolve from his kickboxing roots into that of an all-around fighter, he wouldn’t be stepping into the Ultimate Fighting Championship octagon, as a draw on Saturday’s undercard, for the first time in his lengthy career.

On March 7, in Columbus, Ohio of all places, the 6-foot, 170-pounder carries his 5-0 pro MMA mark (since 2006) into the ring against 6’4″ Tamdan McCrory at UFC 96.

Without his extensive and impressive track record as a kickboxer, not to mention the proper promotion from those inside his business circle, Madigan may have missed out altogether on bringing his lean frame into the UFC arena. Even with the accolades on his resume as proof of competition, his limited MMA experience caused UFC officials to initially insinuate he was more suited for the lower-level WEC upon first glance. But as luck would have it, Madigan got the call to hit the big stage as a replacement fighter for the upcoming event. He’s been preparing for his opponent ever since.

McCrory has been described as a scrappy and aggressive opponent, one that is “well rounded, awkwardly strong with a deceiving appearance” and who, like Madigan, is trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Chances are there’ll be plenty of knees and elbows being thrown around this weekend in the state’s capital.

But until the MMA world gets familiar with Madigan he’ll likely be pigeonholed as primarily a striker, whether valid or not, because of his kickboxing roots. Yet in his last two MMA events, in Cleveland and Charlotte, he showed how the training from Chris Schard has been paying off as both matches were won by submission – through triangle choke holds on each of his victims.

It’s moments such as those that played a part in leading to Madigan’s recent four-fight deal with UFC. And it just so happens that his first foray in the big leagues comes in front of a home crowd of sorts, not to mention millions of pay-per-view customers should the fight make the telecast lineup. The 32-year old trains out of Cuyahoga Falls, by way of Wayne County.

And if he’s to believe all the hype then he won’t be too surprised about the number of supporters making their way down to Nationwide Arena, as mixed martial arts has become quite the rage in Ohio. With depletion continuing to leave its mark on nearly every corner you turn in that region, locals are always looking for a hometown guy to rally around.

Boxing fans have Youngstown’s Kelly Pavlik to live through. MMA fans are anxious for a torchbearer in their sport to call their own, too.

Spend a few minutes around Madigan and you’ll feel like you made a new friend. And although he comes off as humble he’s essentially quietly confident and well aware of his successes. They include being among the best that the sport of kickboxing has to offer, over the course of more then 50 professional and amateur bouts. Madigan also spent less than two seasons as a regular competitor in the Chuck Norris World Combat League.

Though in short, he’s not what you’d expect from an individual competing in a sport that flaunts its badass personas. Madigan comes off more charismatic and focused as an MMA competitor as opposed to the perceived abrasive and hulking images you see on pay-per-view.

“I think people tend to have a little different perspective of us, like we’re wild guys or something,” says Madigan of that perception. “Not to say there aren’t those people out there, but for the most part we’re all pretty good guys.”

In fact Madigan is often referred to as an easy-going guy outside of the ring and off the mat. It’s inside that combat zone where his persona can transform into what can be called a controlled rage of sorts.

Whereas some fighters prefer to psyche themselves up by manifesting reasons to hate their opponents, Madigan puts his focus into executing when the opportunity arises. It’s a strategy that’s already helped carry him this far. No reason to turn back now.

“I like to stay mentally controlled with a focused aggression as opposed to going out there in one big rage,” he explains. “It’s a happy medium. There’s a time to pick and choose when to be overly aggressive and when to fight your fight.”

He cites Anderson Silva as a perfect example of such a mentality and approach in the world of MMA.

“I guess that comes though with maturing over the years, with your personality and mental attitude towards different things,” he reasons.

And he should know. Madigan has been more than capable of inflicting pain on those around him since as far back as his early teenage years, when the routine playground fights went way beyond routine and carried over into uneven matchups. Although that’s not even why he traded in fisticuffs for roundhouse kicks in the first place. That came innocently enough once a friend of his older brother began offering instruction at a gym in Massillon. While classmates were on the football and basketball teams in Orrville while growing up, Madigan was beginning his kickboxing career at the age of 16, the year he competed in his first amateur bout.

Maybe competing on such a stage as the one he’ll find himself on this weekend is made a little easier by that path he took. Whatever it is, he knows there is hardly room for anxiety or for feeling overwhelmed before stepping up and competing at this level, essentially on his home turf.

“There’s maybe a little pressure,” concedes Madigan about the subplot that is competing close to home. “But I try not to put that pressure on myself. I’m just concentrating on going out there and doing well. And you definitely feel more comfortable being in front of your own fans.”

First and foremost, Madigan is a kickboxer at heart. It’s just that competitors are few and far between anymore. Not to mention the fanfare in comparison to these high-octane MMA brawls that have taking over the extreme sports nation.

To stay ahead of the curve, or at least keep pace, he keeps a stringent training regiment close to his vest, one which stems from years of working out with Lorenzo Scott. It includes cardio in the mornings, strength/conditioning/lifting in the afternoons, and lastly kickboxing in the evening at Ohio BJJ.

Though it underlines the sacrifices these competitors put themselves through it’s pretty much what you’d expect from them. What is unexpected though, in this dog-eat-dog kind of society, is that athletes such as this have found ways to build a sort of legacy to leave behind once the scraping-about ceases for good.

When Madigan is not busy with his own training, he keeps busy training other up-and-coming fighters at Evolve MMA. His Jungle Fight Team recently took home North American Allied Fight Series Team of the Year honors while Madigan was individually awarded NAAFS Comeback Fighter of the Year.

Through results such as these he’s lining up a life after fighting. He’s well aware that life in such an arena doesn’t bode as well against Father Time as other avenues of work may.

In truth, if there was ever any worry about a window of opportunity opening and closing it’s this four-fight deal with UFC. All a deal such as this really gives a fighter, like Madigan, is that many chances to make a worthwhile impression on not only the league and its fans, but on potential sponsors for down the road. That’s how the bills get paid in the world of knockouts and bloodshed.

And Madigan is well aware of how that all plays out by now, and he’s made a little room for reason in the back of his mind regarding it.

“Realistically, everything starts slowing down for a fighter nowadays at about 36-years old,” he said. “I figure by 38 I’d like to retire and go full-time into teaching and doing some other stuff.”

But until that day comes to pass it’s likely the grass-roots promotional efforts of his friends, students and supporters will continue to pick up steam, and not slow down until he’s finished ‘throwing down’ for good in his final match.

“I feel very lucky to have always had that kind of support, because I’m happy doing what I do,” he said.

And maybe with that, the money will someday accompany the happiness as he holds firm in his belief that “everything happens for a purpose.” Even if that’s never so clearly outlined through days and nights of constant training and straining of both his body and inner-will.

“Sometimes you have to get to a certain level of maturity first before you’re really ready for something to happen for you,” he said. “And right now I feel much more mentally mature than I was a few years ago, to be able to go compete at a level like this.”

Not to say his body hasn’t already proved to be a step or two ahead of his mind for some time now.