Lloydminster fighter Andrew Mavridis continues his winning ways after transitioning from an undefeated streak as an amateur mixed martial artist.
Mavridis finished his professional MMA debut by defeating Josh Mackenzie in just under two minutes in the first round of Unified 39 on December 6th.
The round began with both men looking for an opportunity to strike before being tied up against the cage. Mackenzie took Mavridis down to the mat looking to lock in an armbar before Mavridis scrambled out. He scrambled into side control, throwing punches at Mackenzie while laying across his opponent’s upper body in the crucifix position. The referee eventually stopped the action by technical knockout.
He says he enjoyed his debut win, even though some may not have agreed with the stoppage.
“The point of the game is hit and not get hit. [It was the] easiest fight, get in get out, get on to the next one. I am happy with it, I don’t think the crowd was too much, but that’s fine.”
After the stoppage, Mackenzie’s corner protested the finish claiming he was blocking the shots. Mavridis says the negative crowd reaction may have been due to the audience not knowing why the fight was stopped so quickly.
Moving from amateur competition, Mavridis says training camp had ramped ahead of the pro debut that saw him move up a weight class to welterweight. He doesn’t believe he will continue to fight at that weight class moving forward, instead, he would like to drop down to 155-pounds or 145 pounds.
“The guy had like five inches of reach on me and was like six-foot-three, a way bigger guy. It’s just not a thing for me anymore. I thought I was just doing the promoter a favour, essentially. The promoter couldn’t find him a fight, and they couldn’t find a fight for me at my weight class.”
The former Canadian amateur lightweight champion says training has become his full-time job after being laid off from work. In the meantime, he plans to continue his high-intensity training to stay in shape for his next opportunity. Mavridis is waiting to talk to his coaches as he has received fight offers for the end of January.