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Chris 'Bukwas' Anderson wins second MMA welterweight title

Comox Valley competitor takes out opponent in second round at HK42 in Calgary
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Todd Stewart (left) holds the BFL belt while Jonny Mac holds Chris Anderson's new HKFC belt.

Chris "Bukwas" Anderson added a new belt to his MMA wardrobe last week.

The Comox Valley Boxing Club & Mixed Martial Arts fighter decisively defeated Mac Laursen at HK42 on March 20 in Calgary to claim the Hard Knocks Fighting Championship amateur welterweight title. On Jan. 24, Anderson defeated Perry Hayer to win the Battlefield Fight League's vacant amateur welterweight crown in Richmond.

"We got the call about two months ago from HKFC looking for someone to step up to fight their undefeated champion Mac Laursen," said CVBC coach and manager Jonny Mac. "We saw some footage and after a short deliberation between Chris and the CVBC coaching staff we took the fight.

 

"We knew Laursen (now 3-1-0) was a sharp and technical boxer. This excited us because Chris loves to throw the hands and would really give him a challenge, seeing the previous three fights Anderson dominated his opponents," Mac said.

"There are some HUGE rule differences between the B.C. athletic commission and Calgary commission. There are no head kicks or punches to the head to a grounded fighter in Calgary. Anderson is vicious when it comes to ground and pound, something we were not going able to use without some clever technical changes," said Mac.

 

"We flew into Calgary a day before weigh-ins and right away we met up with the main event Jason Fischer and his coach UFC fighter Daron Cruickshank. We did our weight cut with them and having three coaches with experience made things go smoothly, exchanging jokes, game plans and dietary advice."

The fight took place at a sold-out Century Casino. Mac said the pressure was on to put on an exciting fight as the event was broadcast on ESPN 2 , the Fight NETWORK  and streamed live on PPV. "We were told that the fight was available in over 70 million homes," Mac said.

In the first round, both fighters decided not to touch gloves and start the fight swinging. "Laursen's game plan was to come forward with the jab and set up combinations," Mac said.

 

"We anticipated that and worked on throwing knees down the middle and from the clinch, which Anderson executed brilliantly throughout the fight. Halfway through the first round Anderson shot for the take down, picking Laursen over his head from the high crotch and slamming him to the ground, landing in side control. Anderson set up shop and landed powerful body blows. Laursen scrambled back to his feet but Anderson stuck to him and punished him again with more combinations.

"We were at elevation and I could tell that between rounds  Anderson was more winded then usual. If he was going to go the distance (five three-minute rounds) he would be in for a long haul. This was not the game plan – punish the body and go out to finish him!" Mac said.

In the second round Anderson attacked the ribs with two big kicks and a huge knee down the middle that took the wind out of Laursen's sails a bit. Both fighters landed beautiful combinations, but Laursen threw a lazy leg kick which was caught and back to the mat they went. Again Anderson was in a dominant position and landed more damaging body shots.

 

They scrambled back to their feet where Anderson started his assault with precise kicks and knees to the solar plexus. That slowed Laursen down and got him to drop his hands, where Anderson threw a cross, hook and finished him with a big uppercut. The ref stopped in and called the fight with 1:20 seconds left in the second round."

 

The bout was voted Fight of the Night.

Mac said Anderson's (now 8-2-0) second title this year makes him the #1 amateur at 170 pounds in western Canada. "He has his eyes set on a pro career, but there is still some unsettled business between him and another fighter here in B.C. that might have to be taken care of before his next step in his career. Stay tuned," said Mac.

 

 

"This last fight would not have happened if it wasn't for our sponsors and supporters. Because Chris is an amateur he cannot accept money for his fights. Training, food, travel, equipment, supplements and expenses are in the thousands and when you have to train four hours a day or more it makes it hard to work," Mac noted.

"We would like to thank Comox Valley Nissan, Plateau Plumbing,  Island Bison, Urban Smoke, Darkside Tanning, Edward & Parnell Barber Shop, Jump Camp and Skidlords Clothing Company for their generous support. Thanks to the fans for their messages of encouragement while we were away and the many athletes that put their bodies on the line to get Chris ready for this important fight.

 

"We have a superstar here in our beautiful Valley. I hope people recognize this and support him on his rise to the top," Mac said.