Athlete without legs warns ‘I’m here to rip your throat out’ as he targets UFC

Zion Clark's battles with adversity haven't stopped him becoming an MMA fighter – or sending out a harrowing warning to his next opponent.

The 25-year-old from Ohio was born without legs because of caudal regression syndrome, a disorder which impairs the development of the lower spine. But rather than be hindered by his disability, he has more than embraced his condition.

He's competed in numerous sports and is now preparing for an unlikely combat sport debut. This weekend, he will delve into MMA by taking on Eugene Murray at the Gladiator Challenge in San Diego.

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But he won't simply be satisfied with stepping into the cage. Clark has warned his opponent, who has lost all four of his bouts so far, that he intends to rip his throat out.

"It's the same as it was wrestling for me," he told TMZ, referencing another of his sporting loves. "I just wrestle against able-bodied people, and I beat able-bodied people. Now I'm fighting able-bodied people, and I'm gonna knock out able-bodied people. It's as simple as that. I'm a fighter."

Clarke is nothing if not prepared, having trained with former UFC stars like Rampage Jackson, Mike Perry and Anderson Silva. And he insisted there will be no excuses if he doesn't start off his MMA career by getting his hand raised.

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"I'm exceptional because I have a drive and I live by the mantra 'no excuses' and I push myself forward every day," he added. "This is the start of another professional career for me and I'm here to rip his throat out and put on a show for the crowd."

Clarke has ambitions beyond this year and 2023 though. As well as an eventual place in the UFC, he wants to make it to the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in wheelchair racing.

And he isn't afraid of being mocked in the meantime, having dealt with cynics for much of his school life: "People would make fun of me because I didn't have legs," he said. "The best way to deal with haters is to use the hate to lift yourself up. The haters are your biggest fans – use that to your advantage."

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