Photo: Ben Stewart, on top, works on his ground game during training last week in preparations for EFC 4 where he will make his debut in the cage. - Robb Fenton Photo
By Robb Fenton
It’s going to be an exciting time on Saturday for local mixed martial artist Ben Stewart.
Stewart, who has been training at MMA United, is set to enter the cage for the first time during EFC 4: Respect.
“It’s going to be a learning experience, that’s for sure, it’s my first fight,” Stewart said during a break in training last week. “I expect to go out there, see what it’s about and come out with a W and see where I can go from there.”
Stewart has been in Lloydminster for about fives years and calls the Border City home, meaning he will have friends and family in the stands during his fight.
That can be an advantage, but can also cause nerves, although Stewart isn’t worried about any pressure when he takes on Devon Neville from Edmonton.
“I haven’t been too nervous yet and I’m not a nervous type of guy, so I wouldn’t think so, but the day could come and I could be,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of friends and family coming out to watch so I want to put on a good show for them and come out with a win. Hopefully everything goes great.”
Head trainer at MMA United, Travis Quesnel knows the game plan Stewart should enter his fight with and will be preaching that plan to the young fighter.
“Ben is super strong, so Devon is going to have his hands full that night,” Quesnel said. “Devon is a striker and has had 31 amateur boxing fights, so we’re going to ground and pound. A lot of our guys like to do that, so that’s what we’re going to go do, just keep ground and pound them.”
Stewart agreed with Quesnel, noting his best chance is to use his size and strength.
“My strength, on the ground, I’m hoping I’m stronger than my opponent,” Stewart explained. “Just more cardio ability and just wear him out when I get him on the ground.”
Being a rookie in the sport, Stewart is relying on his training partners at MMA United for some help leading up to the fight.
“The crew here is awesome, it’s great. When I first came here, I knew it was something I would like to do and the first couple times I came here it’s a huge eye opener,” he said. “A guy may think he can wrestle, but until you come here and learn the little things they can teach and you can pick up, it makes a world of difference for a fighter. No fighter would be where they are without these other guys here, that’s for sure.”
Stewart fights Neville Saturday night as part of the EFC 4 card which is set to go at the Civic Centre.