Chris Larsen Defends His Crown At Unified 41
Sep 2, 2021
EDMONTON — Chris Larsen had modest goals when he first tried his hand at MMA.
“I definitely wanted to compete, but I didn’t think I’d have this much success and longevity in the sport,” the defending Unified MMA Heavyweight Champion says. “I figured I’d take a couple scraps, fight a couple dudes, then that would pretty much be it.
“Here I am, still doing it six years later (laughs).”
A seasoned wrestler, Larsen started training in MMA to help his friend and colleague Tanner Boser prepare for a Unified MMA Heavyweight Championship bout in 2015. In more than half a decade since then, Boser has gone on to compete seven times in the UFC’s Octagon, while Larsen has established himself as the best heavyweight prospect in Canada.
“I can’t say enough for Tanner’s success; there’s nobody that deserves it more. He works his ass off. Every single day he’s killing himself in the gym and improving himself,” Larsen says of Boser. “He’s earned every bit of success. I’m happy for him, and it’s very motivating to see what he’s accomplishing.”
Larsen’s Unified MMA Heavyweight Championship, of course, was previously held by Boser before he signed with the UFC. “I’m certainly not gonna be the one to give it up,” Larsen says with a laugh, but the belt will be on the line in the Co-Main Event of Unified 41 on Sept. 24 at River Cree Resort & Casino in Enoch, AB, LIVE on UFC FIGHT PASS. Larsen defends his title against Grayson Wells, a heavy-handed, battle-tested big man from British Columbia.
Like when Larsen began training, he’s going with the flow.
“As long as I’m winning and having success, I’m going to ride this thing out and see where it will take me.”
ABOUT UNIFIED MMA
Unified MMA is the premier mixed martial arts promotion in Canada. The organization has successfully promoted 41 events since its debut in 2010. Unified MMA is home to Canada’s most exciting fighters, and has helped propel athletes like Tanner Boser, Tristan Connelly and KB Bhullar to the UFC’s Octagon.
