Drexel grad Zach Makovsky gearing up for UFC showdown
The sound of Zach Makovsky's swift strikes reverberated throughout the Drexel University wrestling room.
Ricky Lee, Makovsky's sparring partner, had the unenviable task of preparing his fired-up friend for the most important fight of his UFC career.
Makovsky – known as "Fun Size" – will square off against flyweight No. 1 contender John Dodson at UFC 187 on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The 5-foot-4 mixed martial artist from Fishtown acknowledged that his nickname is a departure from what you might expect from a professional fighter. He earned the moniker when practicing with former training partner Tara LaRosa, a pioneering female MMA fighter. LaRosa didn't care to learn Makovsky's name, he said, so she christened him with a new one.
Makovsky's odd but telling nickname is indicative of who he is: someone not afraid to carve his own path.
The 32-year-old has a bachelor's degree in biology from Drexel and worked in a pharmacy before becoming a professional MMA fighter.
"I really didn't know what I wanted to be in college," Makovsky said. "I figured biology was a general enough area where I could go into a variety of areas. My first co-op was in a pharmacy; after that, I figured out I didn't want to be a pharmacist."
The foundation for Makovsky's UFC career was laid during his time at Drexel. On the university's wrestling squad, the Bethlehem native stood out. During his senior season in 2004-05, he racked up 26 wins at 125 pounds and earned the Empire State Open title by winning five straight matches. His passion for competition lingered after graduation, leading him to train in MMA.
But the road to where he is now was not easily paved. Makovsky balanced working two jobs and training twice a day before he was able to focus solely on his MMA career.
"After graduating, I worked in a physical therapy office as an assistant and as a strength and conditioning coach at Germantown Friends high school," Makovsky said. "Then I got an assistant strength and conditioning coaching job here [at Drexel], and once I started making a little bit of money, I cut out one job, and then made it to the point where I could afford to just train."
For the past month, the southpaw has been training in Montreal's renowned Tristar gym with his coach, Firas Zahabi, who is preparing him for his bout with Dodson.
He has been "getting in some hard training. Training twice a day in a variety of disciplines – some days boxing, some days kickboxing, jiu jitsu, wrestling and mix it all together as much as possible and lots of sleeping," Makovsky said.
The 125-pounder also has enlisted the help of Drexel diving coach Katryn Valladares, who has been training Makovsky in stretching, gymnastics and trampoline. Valladares said she has been working with him since September and has seen improvement with his flexibility. This style of training, she said, keeps Makovsky's routine fresh and engaging.
Makovsky is well acquainted with his UFC 187 opponent. In 2013, he and Dodson trained together in Albuquerque, N.M., as Dodson geared up for a fight against Scott Jorgensen. While training, Dodson suffered an injury, and Makosky replaced him in the fight. He won by unanimous decision in his UFC debut.
"I've spoken to him since about the fight, making sure he knows it was nothing personal. It wasn't my idea [to replace him]. It was a great opportunity for me. and he feels the same way," Makovsky said.
"He said to me no matter what happens in the fight, afterwards – he's going to be a new father soon; his girlfriend is pregnant – we'll go out and celebrate."
Makovsky has experienced much success during his nine-year pro MMA career, amassing a 19-5 record (3-1 in the UFC) and winning the Combat in the Cage bantamweight championship in 2007, the Bellator bantamweight title in 2010, and the RFA flyweight championship in 2013. He said his ultimate goal is still to win a UFC championship.
When Makovsky isn't busy training, he's likely binge watching Game of Thrones. He also said he's crazy about the Eagles, but when it comes to baseball, he said his dad brainwashed him into being a Dodgers fan.
And if Makovsky wins on Saturday, you just might find him celebrating with a cold one at a Fishtown watering hole sometime next week.
Twitter: @veneziar