BY GREG MEACHEM
Red Deer Advocate
If Ryan Machan did indeed bid farewell to the Havoc Fighting Championship May 2, he went out on a memorable note.
The 'Sylvan Lake Strangler' turned in a successful second defence of his welterweight title with a first-round victory over American Richie Whitson during the main event of the Havoc 5 card at a packed Sheraton Convention Centre.
Whitson, from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, came into the fight with a 12-4 record and attempted to apply a tight choke on at least two occasions. But Machan, as the more experienced fighter, had no problem escaping potential trouble and applied a kimura (armlock) that forced his foe to submit 4:14 into the match.
“Experience is big-time important,” said Machan, who improved to 22-9. “When someone takes your back when you're newer, you panic a little. But I've had over 30 fights. I've had people on my back lots. You just wait it out, work for your position and carry on.”
Machan has likely run out of challenges on the Havoc circuit and will probably give up his title shortly.
“I think this will be my last fight with Havoc,” he said. “I’ll vacate my belt and have someone else have a chance for it. I'm moving on to bigger promotions, better opportunities.”
He was referring to Battlegrounds MMA and an eight-man, single-elimination tournament June 27 in Oklahoma City.
“That will be a big test, for sure. It’s potentially three fights in one night,” said Machan. “But I'm wired for the challenge.”
If Machan does indeed step away from Havoc, his training partner at Arashi-Do Red Deer, Advin Omic, could be a candidate to fight for the welterweight crown.
After defeating Andrew Buckland of Campbell River, B.C., earlier on the five-fight pro card, Omic insisted he's wouldn't go up against Machan at the present time. Or ever, for that matter.
“Ryan is my best friend in the world and he would whip my ass 10 times out of 10,” said Omic, who ran his pro record to 13-4. “He's my best friend. I would never fight him or even want to fight him. We fight each other enough in the gym.”
But he would be open to challenging for a vacant Havoc welterweight title if, say, Machan was to move on and perhaps get a shot with the top-tier UFC.
“That would be awesome, and it would be awesome too for Ryan if he was to get into the UFC,” said Omic. “It’s time for the big show for Ryan.”