Former Lions lineman turns to MMA career
TORONTO — After being drafted by the B. C. Lions, Paul ( Typhoon) Cheng remembers being on the field at BC Place and looking up high into the stands at the $ 10 seats he used to occupy as fan.
“Hard work does pay off,” Cheng remembers thinking. “It ( pro football) didn’t last very long but it’s a memory I’ll always remember for the rest of my life.”
Now the 34- year- old from Coquitlam, is looking at another sporting journey. The former defensive tackle has signed a six- fight exclusive contract with the Asia- based One Fighting Championship.
Cheng ( 3- 1) is a fledgling MMA fighter but he has great appeal to One FC. Raised in Taiwan — he came to Canada when he was nine — he speaks fluent Mandarin.
Plus he is a heavyweight, adding to a One FC weight class that consists of former UFC champions Andrei Arlovski, Tim ( Maine- iac) Sylvia, jiu- jitsu star Rolles Gracie and former King of the Cage cruiserweight champion Tony Bonello.
Cheng, who expects to make his One FC debut this summer, recalls watching Arlovski and Sylvia fight for the UFC title back in 2006.
“There’s a distinct possibility that I might be getting onto the cage with one of those guys pretty soon,” he said with wonder in his voice.
Coach Sal Ram says Cheng has the tools to impress.
“What makes him special is he’s a gentle giant,” said Ram, who runs Clinch MMA in Burnaby.
As a defensive lineman, the 6- foot- 3 Cheng weighed 285 pounds. As an MMA fighter, he has slimmed down to 256.
Cheng is still new to MMA, using his savings to finance full- time training the last two years. A former financial consultant, he saw it as an investment in himself.