Local competitor headed to Jiu Jitsu championship

By: John Boldrick

BELLEVILLE, Ont. (06/11/12) John Dixon (right) defends a Kimura attempt from a grappling partner in training. Dixon will travel to he provincial championships in Toronto on November 24. Photo by John Boldrick.

John Dixon was tired of getting beat up when he would wrestle with friends, so he finally decided to do something about it.

“We’d wrestle and they would kick my ass. Now, it’s not exactly like that,” Dixon said.

His relationship with his parents has also improved, something Dixon attributes to his strict training regiment and focus.

“In a positive aspect, Ever since I’ve started training I’ve kind of cut out drinking and partying and stuff like that so if anything we’re closer than we used to be,” he said, “They’re not a big fan of the boxing or getting hit in the face or anything but they do love the grappling aspect.”

Dixon currently trains Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing and Muai Thai at Belleville’s only Mixed Martial Arts gym, Loyalist MMA. While it’s the only local club, Dixon thinks it’s one of the best in the province.

“This place really is phenomenal mixed martial arts club, even for all of Ontario, regarding the price and how good the coaches are- it’s really a great place,” he said.

The gym has prepared Dixon for any competition he may face and he’s getting ready for just that.

November 24 marks the 2012 Ontario BJJ Championship. It’s an event that features fighters from all different gyms from all over. This year, Loyalist MMA will have two representatives, including Dixon.

For Dixon, it’s just his second competition. After training for nine months, he took started coming to the gym less frequently and ended up taking some time off. Now, Dixon is back training whenever he can and regrets the time he missed.

“It was a mistake that’s for sure. I guess I had gotten myself in pretty good shape, thought ‘I’ll start coming less and less’ eventually I got completely out of shape and thought ‘You know what, it’s time to go back’ then I remembered how much I actually loved it here and I have missed a day, unless I needed to rest, since,” he said.

This time, Dixon is more focused than ever. He has his eyes set on some new goals that he intends to follow through on.

“This time around I’m more serious, I’m ready to compete, I’d like to do amateur MMA, like to get a couple muai thai fights, a couple boxing matches,” he said, “I just thought ‘why not?’ If I’m here I might as well compete, I might as well better myself.”

Along with a renewed passion, Dixon is also able to train more comfortably now. He has a Rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which the body releases protein into the blood stream and can clog the kidneys.

This time around, Dixon is on a new medication that treats the condition, allowing him to train freely without his condition being a problem. Health isn’t the only obstacle in the way of Dixon’s training.

The 21 year-old Toronto native and former Loyalist College student will be attending Queen’s University in January. While balancing a schedule that includes both school and training would be challenging for most, Dixon plans to manage both.

“We’ll see what it’s like when I get there, I’m not really sure how heavy the course load is going to be but I’m hoping not,” he said.

He also plans to train at the local gym twice a week. If Dixon cannot find the time to come out to Loyalist MMA, there are other options available.

“They’ve got the wrestling team there if I can’t make it down for BJJ at least I’ve got the wrestling and they’ve got a boxing club as well,” he said.

Dixon trains under Loyalist MMA’s BJJ trainer, former fighter and brown belt Mark Loft.

“His coaching is phenomenal. Great guy. He’s here to train, he’s not here to benefit himself, he’s here to teach newcomers. He’ll never let anyone really fall behind he’s always there to help anyone that wants to come out and train,” said Dixon.

While no one knows what the future holds for Dixon, he dreams big.

“Five years from now I hope to have at least a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I’d like to have a few boxing matches under my belt. Some Muai Thai fights under my belt and hopefully quite a few amateur MMA bouts,” he said.

While the temptation of going pro is in his mind, it might not be a reality for the upcoming science major.

“I’d love to but there is some stiff competition out there. There’s some really good guys. I don’t think I’d ever be able to go professional but I would like to make a good run at amateur,” he said.