By Jason Malloy
Devin Viner was hooked the first time he saw a mixed martial arts fight.
The next day he was in the gym training and now, five years later, is on the verge of turning professional.
“I knew before my first fight this was what I was going to try to do for the rest of my life and make a career out of it,” said the 25-year-old Waterville athlete.
He puts his perfect 2-0 record on the line Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Moncton Casino when he gets into the cage with Fredericton’s Jeff ‘The Killer’ Miller (2-1). Viner is confident he will be victorious when the final bell rings.
“I have been training so hard,” he said. “I’ve trained internationally. I’ve trained with UFC world champions and veterans and Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champions. I train twice a day … six days a week.”
Viner trains at Abhaya Mixed Martial Arts in Greenwich and Fit Plus Martial Arts in Cole Harbour.
Viner has won both of his fights in the second round by arm-bar submission. The fights consist of three three-minute rounds.
He grew up playing hockey, baseball and motocross and is ultra competitive.
“If I can’t win, I won’t play,” he said with a laugh.
Viner was the 2009 provincial boxing champion in the 75-kg class and has medalled in numerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments.
“The mixed martial arts aspect is just basically putting it all together,” he said.
While a number of fighters have varied backgrounds, not many in the region have Viner’s repertoire.
“When I go out to fight … I’m going to win with my boxing and my jiu-jitsu." - Devin Viner
“I find it gives me a big advantage,” he said. “I know not to rush in. You have to sit back and pick your shots.”
Viner is part of the undercard for Saturday’s 11-bout event, Heavy Hitters, presented by Elite 1 MMA. He fights in the lightweight class.
Viner plans to turn professional after Saturday’s fight and continue working towards the ultimate goal of making the UFC.
He said it is great to see the growth of the sport during the past few years.
“More people are starting to watch and get educated and realize it’s not just a fight in there … It takes a lot of hard work and dedication,” he said.
“You can’t do something like this part-time.”
