BG's 'Ultimate Fighter'
By: Scott Recker
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Campus
When Luke Zachrich's college football career at the University came to an abrupt end in 2000, after being plagued by injuries, he never thought he would compete seriously in a sport again.
But Zachrich's competitive nature and work ethic led him to become involved in another sport almost four years later: Mixed Martial Arts.
Although his MMA career has been relatively short - two and a half years - he has found success in the world of fighting.
This year, on Jan. 24, Zachrich traveled to Las Vegas as one of the 32 fighters who were invited to compete on the seventh season of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's reality television show, "The Ultimate Fighter," which premiers tonight following UFC Fight Night Live on Spike T.V.
While at the University, Zachrich stayed active lifting weights and playing club Lacrosse, but lived a typical college lifestyle.
"I had a fun college life," Zachrich said. "I didn't hold back at all and I had a good time, but I put that behind me now that I have gotten to where I am today."
During his last six months at the University, Zachrich began boxing in Toledo to stay in shape. After graduating from the recreation program in the summer of 2005, he made his transition into MMA only three months later and began training with friend Dave Morris at Dan Severn's gym in Coldwater, Michigan.
"The first time I met him and trained with him I could tell he was very athletic and strong," Morris said. "The more I got to know him, the more I could tell how dedicated he was."
Zachrich found quick success in the sport scoring himself two knockouts in his first two bouts.
"[Dan Severn] saw that I had some raw talent and that I could do something in the sport," Zanchrich said. "At that point I took his advice, quit my job and started training full time."
During the summer of 2006 he moved to Las Vegas to train with legendary Muay Tai trainer, Master Toddy. When Zachrich came back to Michigan he made a big commitment to the camp, by living in Severn's gym.
After another eight months of training with Severn, Zachrich decided it was time to move on.
"To make myself better I knew I needed better competition to train with on a daily basis," Zachrich said.
He then moved to Cincinnati to train with Team Gurgel, and would continue to do so until he left for "The Ultimate Fighter."
Zachrich cannot disclose any details about the results of the show, but he has been back training with Team Gurgel, and he someday hopes to become a world champion.
It does not surprise those close to Zachrich that he found success so quickly in MMA.
"When he gets involved in a sport he goes above and beyond," Zachrich's dad Jon said. "He works harder than anyone else I know."
When Zachrich told his brother, Colby, he was training to become a fighter, his brother was not surprised and knew Zachrich would succeed.
"He has always been the toughest kid I know," his brother Colby said. "I knew he would make it."
But Zachrich's competitive nature and work ethic led him to become involved in another sport almost four years later: Mixed Martial Arts.
Although his MMA career has been relatively short - two and a half years - he has found success in the world of fighting.
This year, on Jan. 24, Zachrich traveled to Las Vegas as one of the 32 fighters who were invited to compete on the seventh season of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's reality television show, "The Ultimate Fighter," which premiers tonight following UFC Fight Night Live on Spike T.V.
While at the University, Zachrich stayed active lifting weights and playing club Lacrosse, but lived a typical college lifestyle.
"I had a fun college life," Zachrich said. "I didn't hold back at all and I had a good time, but I put that behind me now that I have gotten to where I am today."
During his last six months at the University, Zachrich began boxing in Toledo to stay in shape. After graduating from the recreation program in the summer of 2005, he made his transition into MMA only three months later and began training with friend Dave Morris at Dan Severn's gym in Coldwater, Michigan.
"The first time I met him and trained with him I could tell he was very athletic and strong," Morris said. "The more I got to know him, the more I could tell how dedicated he was."
Zachrich found quick success in the sport scoring himself two knockouts in his first two bouts.
"[Dan Severn] saw that I had some raw talent and that I could do something in the sport," Zanchrich said. "At that point I took his advice, quit my job and started training full time."
During the summer of 2006 he moved to Las Vegas to train with legendary Muay Tai trainer, Master Toddy. When Zachrich came back to Michigan he made a big commitment to the camp, by living in Severn's gym.
After another eight months of training with Severn, Zachrich decided it was time to move on.
"To make myself better I knew I needed better competition to train with on a daily basis," Zachrich said.
He then moved to Cincinnati to train with Team Gurgel, and would continue to do so until he left for "The Ultimate Fighter."
Zachrich cannot disclose any details about the results of the show, but he has been back training with Team Gurgel, and he someday hopes to become a world champion.
It does not surprise those close to Zachrich that he found success so quickly in MMA.
"When he gets involved in a sport he goes above and beyond," Zachrich's dad Jon said. "He works harder than anyone else I know."
When Zachrich told his brother, Colby, he was training to become a fighter, his brother was not surprised and knew Zachrich would succeed.
"He has always been the toughest kid I know," his brother Colby said. "I knew he would make it."
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