By: Travis Longman of TL_Media
Closing out 2023 with a bang has a different meaning for local mixed martial artist Zachary Gehl.
In November of this year Zachary Gehl of Esterhazy was offered a very exciting opportunity. He was offered to challenge for the Lightweight MMA title in Osage, Iowa.
This fight was to be the main event in the last card of the year. Zachary who is always up for a challenge accepted right away. His opponent from Minnesota, USA would be an incredibly strong and iron chinned opponent on a winning streak.
In all of Gehl’s previous fights he has been the fighter with the iron hands and strength. This will be different. For the next 8 weeks Zachary and his coach and team from alliance martial arts in Saskatoon would train specifically for this opponent.
The game plan was to use Zachary’s past experience in wrestling and jiu-jitsu to his advantage and avoid the fire fights that he would face if he tried to stand and throw punches and kicks with his opponent.
6 days a week Gehl not only worked his cardio and strength training but the tactical side of the game plan. This being a title fight meant the fight was scheduled for 5 rounds vs the usual 3 rounds of a normal fight.
The plan was to quickly land a few strikes to time a takedown and get the fight to the mat. There the team figured Zachs grappling pedigree would be able to keep this powerful opponent there.
The heavily muscled opponents muscles are powerful in the striking game but require loads of oxygen to work. This ground attack was intended to not only avoid damage Gehl might receive in the striking exchanges but to get those muscles tired fast. The plan worked perfectly.
Zachary would land strikes and quickly take his opponent to the ground for all 5 rounds. He would land huge strikes to his opponent with little effect it would seem. Zachary sunk in numerous deep chokes during the 15 minute battle but could not get his tough opponent to quit.
The fight would eventually go to the judges. Zachary Gehl would win the fight and the Dream Fc Lightweight title 5 rounds to 0.
A huge win over a very dangerous opponent. Winning a title in MMA is a very tough achievement accomplished by very few athletes.
Gehl is now 1 of very few who can say they are an active 145 and 155 lb champion in mixed martial arts.
Zachary is taking a week off to heal up after this last fight, but will be back to training the first week in January preparing for the next battle whatever it might be.