Saskatoon teen hopes to hit the big time in MMA

For Lucas Oanta,theroad tosuccess requires intensefocus, determination, a strict diet and a lot of physical training.

Lucas wasborn in Canada to a Brazilian mother, Lucia, and a Romanian father, Sebastian.Both of themare supporting hisdream of becoming a UFC(Ultimate Fighting Championship)competitor.

The 19-year-old lives in Saskatoon now, and works full time at a Co-op. The Martensville High School graduate has alsobeen training in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) since he was 12 years old.

The combat sport combines various types of martial arts, including Thai boxing (Muay Thai), taekwondo,karate and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Lucas knows the risks that come with the sport. But despite its gritty reputation, a 2015 University of Alberta study comparing MMA to boxingconcluded that while MMA fighters are slightly more likely to get injured in a match, their injuries are generally considered minor cuts and bruises.

In that study, thedata showed boxers were more likely to experience more serious injuries including concussions, head traumas, eye injuries and the loss of consciousness.

Asmall 2023 studyby two British Columbia researchersalso followed several people who practised MMA on a regular basis. Participants developed better cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength.

They also reported improved mental health, including increased self-esteem, confidence,reduced anxiety and stress, and a strong sense of community within the sport.

Lucia Oanta saidseeing her son fightcan be difficult, because she obviously doesn't want him to get hurt.

Regardless, sheand her husband Sebastian saidthey are both 100 per cent on board.

"I have other people say, 'how can you support something like this?' Like, how can youNOT support your kid in doing something that he wants to do and that he loves, that's his passion?'" Lucia said.

Sebastian Oanta agreedit's an awful feeling to see his son get knocked down during a fight, especially when his instincts are telling him to run over and help, but the athlete's father said he understands it goes with the territory.

"In MMA this is part of the game," said Sebastian. "Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose."

The sport of MMAis reported to have upwards of 300 million fans worldwide.

According to web traffic on the UFC'sofficial website, its core fans are from the United States, Canada, the UK, Germany and Australia.

Lucas said two of his favourite UFC fighters are Americans Justin Gaethje and TJ Dillshaw.

The most high profileCanadian fighter is Georges St-Pierre.The two-division UFC Champion retired in 2019 and wasinducted into Canada's Sports Hall of famein September2023.

Lucas recently travelled to Kamloops, B.C., to compete in his first professional fight.

He saidbeing in B.C. with his longtime coach, Kurt Southern, and his teammates was a great experience.Filmmaker Felipe Gomez documented Lucas'sjourney for CBCincollaboration with the Creator Network.

You can see what happened in Kamloops in the mini-documentary at the top of this article.

Win or lose, Lucas said he is grateful for the supportive community behind him as moves forward with the sport.

With his first fight under his belt, Lucassaid he plans to keep training, learningand working hard to achieve his dreamof stepping into a UFC ring in the future.

CBC Saskatchewan's Creator Network is a place where young digital storytellers from diverse backgrounds can produce original video content to air on CBC and tell stories through their own lens. Get in touch or pitch your own story here.