Mowry looks to climb ladder in MMA
At 6-foot-8, 255 pounds, Steve Mowry’s moniker in the professional mixed martial arts fighting world is simply “Tall.”
And his career goals are long-reaching.
Mowry, 31, a 2011 Knoch graduate, has been living and training in Florida for years now. He is 10-1-1 as a professional MMA heavyweight, his lone loss coming recently against Valentin Moldavsky of Russia.
Moldavsky (12-3) is the 28th-ranked MMA heavyweight in the world. Mowry is ranked 65th. Mowry lost by unanimous decision — 30-27, 30-27, 30-27 — in their rematch. Their first bout resulted in a no-contest due to an accidental eye poke.
“I knew I was going to run into something like this at some point,” Mowry said of his loss. “You learn from a loss like that. He (Moldavsky) taught me some things about holds.
“I got caught and taken down. That’s OK in my mind as long as I learn from it.”
Mowry was at Michelle Krill Memorial Field at Historic Pullman Park on Saturday night to watch his younger brother, Brian, make his pro boxing debut.
The elder Mowry chose MMA fighting over boxing a number of years ago.
“MMA just suits me better,” he said. “You’re constantly learning in this sport. I have so much room to get better.”
Mowry has never won a bout by decision. He has six wins by submission and the other four by knockout. His submission wins have come by an arm-bar choke, kimura (shoulder lock) and key lock.
He’s been a MMA pro for five years.
“There are so many holds and moves,” he said. “You definitely learn as you go. I do this full-time, train every day.”
As for how much longer he’ll fight, Mowry has no answer.
“I come out of practice one day and feel like I’m ready to give it up the next day,” he admitted. “Other days, I come out of practice feeling great and wanting to do this until I’m 40.
“I’ll keep at it and see where this (MMA) eventually takes me.”
Mowry wasn’t only at Pullman Park to watch his brother. He was cheering on Lucas Adams to victory in the main event as well.
“I’ve known Lucas for a long time,” Mowry said. “We used to train together in the Cubs Hall. I’m happy for the success he’s having, but not surprised by it. He works hard.”
