Two local mixed martial artists off to world championships

Local gym will send three, including a coach, as part of the Team Canada contingent in Jakarta, Indonesia this December

A local mixed martial arts gym will be represented at the upcoming World Championships in Jakarta.

Hannah Horner and Brock Pinder will be representing Sault Ste. Marie's Steel City MMA at the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) World Championships in three months, while their coach, Brent Fryia, will lead the Canadian team as head coach.

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STEEL CITY MMA
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Two members of a local MMA gym will be testing their skills on the world stage, while their coach will serve as the head coach of Team Canada in Jakarta, Indonesia this December.

Fryia explains that it was a fortuitous meeting that led to the trio heading to the world stage. "I was approached by someone connected to the American team, who had seen one of our fighters compete in Michigan; they wanted him on the US team. When I told him we were Canadian they put us in touch with the local association. Canada hadn't sent a team to the world championships since the pandemic and they really wanted to see us there. That's how it started" says Fryia, the owner and head coach of Steel City MMA in Sault Ste. Marie.

Horner and Pinder, who normally compete at 125lbs and 145 lbs respectively, will each move up one weight class for this tournament due to the unique weight requirements of the tournament. "Having to weigh in the morning of competition, up to three days in a row makes things a lot tougher; many people move up a weight class for this event" explains Fryia.

The GAMMA world championships is an "open" event meaning both amateurs and professionals can compete. Horner and Pinder, who both compete as amateurs will be taking a step up in competition to test themselves against emerging professional fighters, as well as elite amateurs from around the world. The chance to wear the maple leaf and test themselves at this level is not lost on either competitor.

"Competing at this level isn't something everyone gets to do in their lifetime. There's more of an incentive to be the best fighter and person I can be when I know I'm representing my country" says Horner of the opportunity.

"I feel honoured to be representing my country against opponents from around the world, I'm grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to the challenge." echoes Pinder.

In the meantime, Fryia has been busy rounding out the Team Canada roster.

"Considering it was on relatively short notice, I think we're putting together a really strong team" says Fryia who has reached out to fellow Canadian coaches to fill in spots on the team. "Ideally, we'd have a training camp to evaluate talent and select the team, but for now, I'm relying on coaches I know and trust to recommend athletes who can compete at this level."

Of note is former Sault Ste. Marie resident and Steel City MMA member, Willow Morton, has also been named to the national team. Morton now lives in Toronto and trains at Hitters Fight club and Grant Brothers MMA.

Sault Ste. Marie residents will have the opportunity to see Pinder and Horner in action locally before they head to Jakarta, as they will both be competing at "Northern Fights" Kickboxing event at The Machine Shop on Saturday, Nov. 9th. This event will serve as a final tune up before finishing up a rigorous training camp and heading overseas.

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