Brandon Bushaw: Hometown Dream Killer
Brandon Bushaw: Hometown Dream Killer
Brandon Bushaw has been driven by competition for as long as he can remember. And while the same motivation sits at the foundation of every fighter who step
Brandon Bushaw has been driven by competition for as long as he can remember. And while the same motivation sits at the foundation of every fighter who steps into the cage, it’s the end game destination where Bushaw’s ambition differs.
Every fighter dreams of competing inside the Octagon or under the Bellator banner, but it’s a reality realized by few. The biggest stages in the sport will bring larger paydays, but it also serves to create an illusion of validation.
Reaching the big leagues makes fighters believe they’ve somehow made it, and signals fans, friends and family they are finally a fighter of value. Those on their way toward something bigger become willing to sacrifice anything to make it just as those falling away from top promotions will do anything to get back.
Regional MMA circuits across the United States are filled athletes locked in that struggle. Bushaw isn’t one of them.
He’s never lost sleep worrying about the UFC or Bellator, and feels it’s his task to provide a wake up call to anyone he fights.
“I’m going in there to put some dreams in check,” Bushaw told FloCombat. “At this level everyone is trying to get to bigger shows, and a lot of fighters look for the easiest route. That makes it difficult to find fights. The guys who sign on to fight me know that’s exactly what they are getting because I’m no one’s stepping stone.
“I have no problem being a gate to the next level, but you’re going to f****** earn your way through it. If a few dreams get spoiled along the way, it’s probably better for them it happened.”
With a family and a successful business in Myrtle Beach, the hours of Bushaw’s day are spoken for, but the desire to compete is what pushes him to make time to hit the gym. Where his peers are grinding out training sessions envisioning one day fighting in the UFC, Bushaw puts his focus on a more personal challenge.
“I’m not aiming at something bigger the way the majority of fighters are,” Bushaw said. “I compete to challenge myself because this is a sport that demands your best. I’ve always looked for the biggest tests available because I want to find out what I’m made of.
“Most of the guys I fight are aiming to get to the big show and I definitely keep that in mind. They have a lot to lose and knowing that keeps me sharp. Guys aren’t fighting me trying to pad their records, and if it ever turns that way I’ll go f****** do something else. I’m pretty good at running and you don’t get punched in that sport.”
While each fight comes with it’s own chapter in the competitor’s journey, the next step in Bushaw’s career will hold sentimental value. The 35-year-old will return to his homestate of Maine where he’ll face Matt Denning at New England Fights 24 this Saturday night in Lewiston.
“[Denning] has some slick jiu-jitsu but I feel game is sharper in every aspect,” Bushaw said. “I just have to stay calm and collected and I’ll get the job done. He’s coming down from lightweight and I’m going up from bantamweight so there may be a little bit of a size disparity, but I don’t see that transitioning into the strength department.”
Although Bushaw has resided in South Carolina for the better part of the past two decades, his time in Maine was filled with athletic accomplishments. He was a two-time state wrestling champion for Westbrook High School and was later inducted into Maine’s wrestling Hall of Fame.
Bushaw went on to wrestle at Michigan State University where he competed alongside teammates Rashad Evans and Gray Maynard--both of which went on to forge careers in the UFC. And while Bushaw left Maine years ago, he won’t deny there is something special about going home.
“It’s weird but I love it,” Bushaw said. “I look around and see a lot of the same faces from my wrestling days. I’m not trying to date myself but I left in 1999, and to be competing in front of the same people 17 years later is kind of cool.
“I’m not so sure I’m the hometown guy there anymore,” he added. “Most of the guys I fight are from up there and I’m the out-of-state local guy if you will. There are a lot of people who welcome me back, but there’s certainly a lot of people who are hoping to see my get clipped back in my home state. As long as they buy a ticket and show up to watch either is fine by me.
Every fighter dreams of competing inside the Octagon or under the Bellator banner, but it’s a reality realized by few. The biggest stages in the sport will bring larger paydays, but it also serves to create an illusion of validation.
Reaching the big leagues makes fighters believe they’ve somehow made it, and signals fans, friends and family they are finally a fighter of value. Those on their way toward something bigger become willing to sacrifice anything to make it just as those falling away from top promotions will do anything to get back.
Regional MMA circuits across the United States are filled athletes locked in that struggle. Bushaw isn’t one of them.
He’s never lost sleep worrying about the UFC or Bellator, and feels it’s his task to provide a wake up call to anyone he fights.
“I’m going in there to put some dreams in check,” Bushaw told FloCombat. “At this level everyone is trying to get to bigger shows, and a lot of fighters look for the easiest route. That makes it difficult to find fights. The guys who sign on to fight me know that’s exactly what they are getting because I’m no one’s stepping stone.
“I have no problem being a gate to the next level, but you’re going to f****** earn your way through it. If a few dreams get spoiled along the way, it’s probably better for them it happened.”
With a family and a successful business in Myrtle Beach, the hours of Bushaw’s day are spoken for, but the desire to compete is what pushes him to make time to hit the gym. Where his peers are grinding out training sessions envisioning one day fighting in the UFC, Bushaw puts his focus on a more personal challenge.
“I’m not aiming at something bigger the way the majority of fighters are,” Bushaw said. “I compete to challenge myself because this is a sport that demands your best. I’ve always looked for the biggest tests available because I want to find out what I’m made of.
“Most of the guys I fight are aiming to get to the big show and I definitely keep that in mind. They have a lot to lose and knowing that keeps me sharp. Guys aren’t fighting me trying to pad their records, and if it ever turns that way I’ll go f****** do something else. I’m pretty good at running and you don’t get punched in that sport.”
While each fight comes with it’s own chapter in the competitor’s journey, the next step in Bushaw’s career will hold sentimental value. The 35-year-old will return to his homestate of Maine where he’ll face Matt Denning at New England Fights 24 this Saturday night in Lewiston.
“[Denning] has some slick jiu-jitsu but I feel game is sharper in every aspect,” Bushaw said. “I just have to stay calm and collected and I’ll get the job done. He’s coming down from lightweight and I’m going up from bantamweight so there may be a little bit of a size disparity, but I don’t see that transitioning into the strength department.”
Although Bushaw has resided in South Carolina for the better part of the past two decades, his time in Maine was filled with athletic accomplishments. He was a two-time state wrestling champion for Westbrook High School and was later inducted into Maine’s wrestling Hall of Fame.
Bushaw went on to wrestle at Michigan State University where he competed alongside teammates Rashad Evans and Gray Maynard--both of which went on to forge careers in the UFC. And while Bushaw left Maine years ago, he won’t deny there is something special about going home.
“It’s weird but I love it,” Bushaw said. “I look around and see a lot of the same faces from my wrestling days. I’m not trying to date myself but I left in 1999, and to be competing in front of the same people 17 years later is kind of cool.
“I’m not so sure I’m the hometown guy there anymore,” he added. “Most of the guys I fight are from up there and I’m the out-of-state local guy if you will. There are a lot of people who welcome me back, but there’s certainly a lot of people who are hoping to see my get clipped back in my home state. As long as they buy a ticket and show up to watch either is fine by me.