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Zion Clark, Man with No Legs, Wins MMA Debut in San Diego at Gladiator Challenge

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

San Diego, CA (December 21, 2022)– Mixed Martial Arts History was made on Saturday, December 17, 2022, when Zion Clark, MMA Team Bodyshop, Columbus, Ohio, the man with no legs, won his professional debut in the bantamweight division, winning a three-round unanimous decision in the featured main event over 0-5 Eugene Murray of California at Gladiator Challenge-Season’s Beatings, Valley Center, California.

Clark was born with a rare birth defect called causal regression syndrome. According to Clark “(This is) my Pro MMA debut. You will always have haters and doubters. Remember, in life people are going to question what you can and can’t do the same way they question their own abilities. I’m here to show you YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU SET YOUR MIND TO” Clark wrote before defeating Murray.

Clark, age 25, had a rough state in amateur and professional sports. During his freshman and sophomore years at Massillon Washington High School, Clark was winless in wrestling. During his junior and senior high school wrestling seasons, Clark compiled an improved 33-15 record. A successful collegiate wrestler and wheelchair racer at Kent State University, Clark holds three Guinness World Records: in February 2021, he set the world record for the fastest man with two hands when he walked 20 meters in just 4.78 seconds; he set two more records in October 2022, breaking the mark for most diamond push-ups in three minutes (248 push-ups), and the highest box-jump record with his hands (33 inches).

Clark is the first such athlete to win an MMA match at the professional level. An armless and legless quadruple amputee, Kyle Maynard, lost a three-round decision in 2009 to Bryan Fry in Alabama. Maynard was an accomplished football player, wrestler, and weightlifter. A best-selling author, Maynard owns and operates his own gym in Georgia.









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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].