Old school MMA: Fred Ettish returns to erase 15 years of ridicule

July 29, 2:02 PMTampa MMA ExaminerDoug Drexler

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The last time Fred Ettish stepped into a cage to compete, the sport was still called “no holds barred” fighting (NHB). Since then, the sport has evolved and grown, and is now called mixed martial arts (MMA).

The date was March 11, 1994. The event was UFC 2: No Way Out. Ettish's opponent was fellow karate expert, Johnny Rhodes.

Ettish became a late replacement as Frank Hamaker was unable to continue to the next round of the tournament after defeating Thaddeus Luster.

Johnny Rhodes had fought earlier in the night, defeating David Levicki in a war last 12:13 (there were no rounds back then).

Many thought it was unfair that one competitor who had just finished winning a battle like that had to compete against an opponent who had yet to fight at all that night. In reality, having to step in at the last minute was not quite the advantage some believed it would be.

Rhodes landed a punch that opened a sizable cut above the right eye of Ettish. From that point, it seemed that the most intelligent defense Ettish could offer was rolling into the fetal position.

The fight ended when Ettish tapped out due to a rear naked choke in just over three minutes. His fight career was over, that is, until recently.

Fred Ettish has endured 15 years of ridicule for his performance that night. There’s nothing he wants more than to prove his naysayers wrong. That’s why he’ll be stepping into the cage again.

At 53 years young, Fred Ettish will be competing at the Cage Fighting Xtreme event on August 15. His opponent is yet to be determined.

Ettish told Sherdog.com, “I have a lot of ghosts and demons that have not been put to rest, and I’ve come to the conclusion that the only way to do this is to get back in there and actually do my best and represent in a way I can be proud of. I guess I don’t want to die at 0-1.”

The sport has come a long way in the 15 years since Fred Ettish last competed. Whether or not his skills have developed at the same pace will be determined on August 15.

Photo courtesy of Sherdog.com.