This past weekend, Steve “The Boss” Bossé, a former semi-pro hockey player, knocked out James Te-Huna at UFC Fight Night 85 in Brisbane, Australia. Bossé delivered a sharp right hand to Te-Huna’s jaw to end the fight at the 52-second mark of the first round.
The win improved Bossé’s overall record to 11-2 (9 by KO/TKO) and evened his UFC record at 1-1. Only three of the Canadian’s fights have lasted beyond the first round.
FROM ENFORCER TO MMA
Movies like Slap Shot and Goon famously celebrated the role of the enforcer in hockey, but the brawler’s utility to NHL teams has steadily declined since decade-old rule changes decreased the frequency of fights.
Bossé spent five years as an enforcer on semi-pro hockey teams, during which time he engaged in the neighborhood of 220 fights. The move to mixed martial arts has reduced his average fight load from four a week during the hockey season to just four a year in the octagon.
“It's very tough, because you have to fight every game, two times a game, two games a week.”
Punching power in a hockey fight is generated by grabbing the opponent’s jersey and then repeatedly throwing crosses with your dominant hand. For his MMA fights, Bossé had to become a much more technical boxer and develop his ground game as well.
THREE’S COMPANY
With his tough guy appearance and occupational choice, one might expect Bossé to own a pit bull or rottweiler, but he and his wife opted instead for a doe-eyed chihuahua. Ay caramba!
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