Chris "Bukwas" Anderson steps in the cage to fight for yet another MMA title March 20 in Calgary. This time it's for the Hard Knocks Fighting amateur welterweight championship against their champion, Mac Laursen.
On Jan. 24, Anderson made short work of Perry Hayer to win the Battlefield Fight League's vacant amateur welterweight title in Richmond. This title tilt may prove more difficult.
"This will be Chris' toughest fight to date," said Jonny Mac of the Comox Valley Boxing Club & Mixed Martial Arts. "Laursen has a background in boxing so we anticipate a barnburner.
"Anderson is a beast these days. Getting stronger and faster each time he steps in the cage. We have been working on the holes in his game and fine tuning his strengths," Mac said.
"This contest will prove who is the best welterweight in the west as Hard Knocks is the #1 promotion in Alberta and the prairies."
According to Tapology Worldwide Rankings, Anderson (7-2-0) is #7 of 338 active amateur welterweights in Canada while Laursen (3-0-0) is ranked #22. In western Canada, Tapology ranks Anderson #3 of 102 active fighters and Laursen #7.
Mac notes it's a full time job preparing for a championship fight. "Three to five hours a day training, meal planning, weight cutting, jogging, swimming, blogging and going over video leaves no time to have a full time job.
"This fight would never had happened if it wasn't for our sponsors. Airfare, food, travel expenses, training and equipment add up and can be very expensive for an athlete who doesn't get paid or subsidized by any program," said Mac.
"We would like to thank Comox Valley Nissan, Plateau Plumbing, Urban Smoke, Jump Camp, Island Bison, Edward and Parnell Barbershop, Skidlords Clothing Company and Dark Side Tanning for their sponsorship."
Mac adds the March 20 HK42 Calgary card is scheduled to be shown on the Fight Network and ESPN2. Pay-per-view will be available at hardknocksfighting.com