Submission Underground: Stephen Abas Ready to Bring the Pressure
Submission Underground: Stephen Abas Ready to Bring the Pressure
Olympic Silver medalist Stephen Abas will be looking to represent the wrestling community at Submission Underground
Stephen Abas eats, breathes and sleeps competition.
The Fresno State University alum dominated the 125-pound ranks during his collegiate career as Abas notched three NCAA Div. I national titles. Abas used that success to fuel his run for an Olympic gold medal, and while he ultimately fell short, the lessons learned along the way made all the trials and tribulations worthwhile.
“I started wrestling at the age of seven and I’m a three-time NCAA champ,” Abas said. “I also won an Olympic Silver medal in 2004, and when you get to that level you believe you’re the best. You go for that gold. It was a bit of a let down, but I learned so much from it. There’s nothing I would ever trade that experience for.
“I had a string of about three years of injuries leading up to the Olympic trials in 2008. That was probably the toughest part of my career with having to rebuild and restart. I took a few years off but there’s something about combat sports that always drew me back to the gym.”
Abas is blue collar tough down to the bone. The work ethic and perseverance he carries in abundance has made him an elite competitor in any form of combat sports. Abas simply loves to get in and get after it because it’s the only way he knows.
“My grappling style is pressure,” Abas said. “I am able to take guys down from all angles, but I’m also known for my motion, speed and agility. Coming from a wrestling background and being mentally tough and not giving up carries a lot of weight in any combat sport.”
While Abas admits he was surprised to get the call from Chael Sonnen to compete at Submission Underground, it wasn’t an opportunity he was about to turn down by any means. He will step into the cage on July 17 in Portland to face Alex Canders, and Abas is confident fans across the board in all combat sports will get what they paid for.
“I don’t know much about Alex Canders, but I’ve watched some of his matches and his style is real funky,” Abas said. “After watching video I understood why they want me to face him because I have a unique style myself. I think that’s gonna make for a good match.
“You are going to see a lot of action. I’m excited to put my feel and flow on it. I’m excited to get out there on the big stage. Be ready.”
The Fresno State University alum dominated the 125-pound ranks during his collegiate career as Abas notched three NCAA Div. I national titles. Abas used that success to fuel his run for an Olympic gold medal, and while he ultimately fell short, the lessons learned along the way made all the trials and tribulations worthwhile.
“I started wrestling at the age of seven and I’m a three-time NCAA champ,” Abas said. “I also won an Olympic Silver medal in 2004, and when you get to that level you believe you’re the best. You go for that gold. It was a bit of a let down, but I learned so much from it. There’s nothing I would ever trade that experience for.
“I had a string of about three years of injuries leading up to the Olympic trials in 2008. That was probably the toughest part of my career with having to rebuild and restart. I took a few years off but there’s something about combat sports that always drew me back to the gym.”
Abas is blue collar tough down to the bone. The work ethic and perseverance he carries in abundance has made him an elite competitor in any form of combat sports. Abas simply loves to get in and get after it because it’s the only way he knows.
“My grappling style is pressure,” Abas said. “I am able to take guys down from all angles, but I’m also known for my motion, speed and agility. Coming from a wrestling background and being mentally tough and not giving up carries a lot of weight in any combat sport.”
While Abas admits he was surprised to get the call from Chael Sonnen to compete at Submission Underground, it wasn’t an opportunity he was about to turn down by any means. He will step into the cage on July 17 in Portland to face Alex Canders, and Abas is confident fans across the board in all combat sports will get what they paid for.
“I don’t know much about Alex Canders, but I’ve watched some of his matches and his style is real funky,” Abas said. “After watching video I understood why they want me to face him because I have a unique style myself. I think that’s gonna make for a good match.
“You are going to see a lot of action. I’m excited to put my feel and flow on it. I’m excited to get out there on the big stage. Be ready.”