The last thing Mitch Fryia ever wants to do is cancel a fight.
But that’s exactly what the Sault Ste. Marie native was forced to do last summer after suffering a herniated disc in his back during training.
“That wasn’t fun,” said the 28-year-old, who is finally slated to return to the octagon Saturday.
After not fighting since last June, Fryia is scheduled to meet Milwaukee’s Jay Ellis in the main event of Quarantined, a King of the Cage mixed martial arts event slated for Kewadin Casinos in the Michigan Sault.
Doors are scheduled to open at 6 p.m. with the first bout set for 7 p.m. in Dream Makers Theatre.
“I’m back to 100%,” said Fryia, who takes a 3-3 win-loss record as a professional into the fight. “I feel great.”
That surely wasn’t the case after Fryia injured himself.
He’d just beaten Tom Bagnasco in a Big John’s MMA event in St. Ignace, Mich., a little over a month before his back went out.
“I wanted to stay active after that fight, but I was in hospital for three days and I couldn’t walk after I got hurt,” he said.
After a couple of weeks, Fryia said he was able to return to daily activities.
But he required rehabilitation for a couple of months before he could even begin training again.
And even when he could resume training, it was done so at a much-slower pace than he’s accustomed to.
And so the layoff he never wanted to see happen is now approaching one year.
Once he could train seriously, Fryia said he got right back to work. He spoke of putting in “a strong six-week camp for this fight.”
Asked what he knows about Ellis, Fryia said his opponent is a guy who fights on a consistent basis.
“He’s fought a lot of good guys and he’s got a couple of wins over solid opponents,” Fryia said of Ellis. “I don’t know too much about his style, but he seems ready to fight anywhere.”
Representing Steel City MMA, Fryia is a former wrestler with a resume bulging with success.
During high school, he was a three-time city and Northern Ontario Secondary Schools Association (NOSSA) champion who went on to win two silvers and one bronze against Ontario Federation of School Athletic Association (OFSAA) competition.
At Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Fryia won two Ontario University Athletics (OUA) wrestling championships before securing a prestigious Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championship at 68-kilos in 2008.
He’ll compete in a 155-pound battle Saturday.
“I’m excited and confident,” Fryia said. “As far as my skill set goes, I feel I have the skills that make me a dangerous opponent for a lot of people.”
Fryia said he plans to be relaxed entering his fight with Ellis.
He spoke of how he’s a technical fighter and he plans to wait for his chance to end the fight.
“As long as I stick to my game plan, I think some spots will open up where I can finish it.”
Fryia said SCMMA’s Owen Martin and Jerah Fresque, a female MMA competitor, are also expected to be on Saturday’s card.
As well, Nick Naccarato of Ho Shin Sool Martial Arts is expected to compete.
It’s anticipated other area fighters will be in action Saturday. However, as of Thursday night their names were not available.
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