Drexel-grad Zach Makovsky to take on No. 1 UFC flyweight contender
Makovsky, who has a degree in biology, will fight John Dodson on Saturday.
ZACH MAKOVSKY walked into the wrestling room at 34th and Market with a fresh shiner. Occupational hazard, he said.
"A black eye?" Makovsky shrugged. "Yeah, it's pretty common."
Makovsky looks like the boy next door, but don't get in the ring with him. At 5-4, 125 pounds, he's almost cherubic, except for that shiner.
On Saturday, the 32-year-old Drexel graduate has the fight of his life when he goes against John Dodson, the No. 1 contender in the flyweight division, in a UFC card in Las Vegas (FS1, 8 p.m.).
Kind of an odd way for a Drexel grad with a biology degree to be spending Memorial Day weekend.
"[My parents] weren't crazy about it, especially my dad in the beginning," said Makovsky, who lives in Fishtown. "My dad was like, 'Why'd you go to college for five years, if you're only going to go get your brains kicked in? But once I started doing well and that didn't happen, he became a fan."
Makovsky (19-5) is ranked eighth in the world. He called Dodson (17-6), an Albuquerque native, "the biggest knockout puncher in the division. But when you're fighting the No. 2 guy in the world," he said, "it's supposed to be a tough fight."
If Makovsky pulls the upset, he could be looking at a title shot against current champion Demetrious Johnson.
Those who are into UFC dismiss the criticism that it is barbaric. In fact, Makovsky's love of the sport is more about the training than the actual fights, which he called "stressful and very nerve-racking."
"Everyone in there is willing," he continued. "Everyone in there has a responsibility to defend themselves. We're all aware what the risk is. If I catch them in a joint lock, I would prefer them to tap [out] than to break their arm. But if they don't, and I have to break their arm, then I have to. It's part of what we do."