No leg? No problem!
Legacy Fighting Championship (Legacy FC) has signed flyweight Matt Betzold, who will make his debut for the popular regional mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion at Legacy FC 39 on Feb. 27, 2015, against an opponent to be named.
From the Legacy FC website (via MMA Junkie):
A decorated grappler, Betzold racked up a 4-1 record as an amateur before turning pro. However, the process of becoming a pro for Betzold was harder than for most fighters. Betzold's life drastically changed when at the age of 6, he ate poisoned candy that put him into a coma. He would then develop a blood clot that would lead to doctors amputating his leg.
Despite showing plenty of success in grappling and in MMA, it took threatening the athletic commission in his home state of Arizona with a lawsuit to earn him his pro license. Although his pro career had a rough start, going 2-3, Betzold has since rattled off four straight submission victories, and has just recently won gold for the U.S. at the 2014 UWW (formerly FILA) Pankration World Championships.
Betzold was last seen choking out Jimmy Marquez at Xplode Fight Series: "Cerebral" back in July.
Fans may be familiar with other handicapped fighters, such as World Series of Fighting (WSOF) standout Nick Newell, who despite competing with just one arm (and being barred from UFC), has racked up an impressive 11-1 record with 10 finishes.
Betzold turns 32 in January.