Since first stepping foot in AJ Scales’ Complete MMA a few years ago, Miles Anstead has, with a great deal of success, been working to establish himself as one of Saskatchewan's brightest mixed martial arts prospects. After familiarizing myself with his resume and sitting in on a Tuesday night practice, it’s not hard to tell that Anstead is, indeed, worthy of this reputation.
A four year veteran of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts, Anstead has proven to be a quick-study in both disciplines.
Holding a high-level blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Scales, Anstead, who now relies more on his skill and technique rather than his overwhelming size and strength, has won a number of tournaments—both in Canada and abroad; boasting, among numerous other medals, a pair of bronzes from the ADCC World Pro Trials in Montreal earlier this year and both bronze and gold medals from the Rio Open in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Despite an early hiccup in his mixed martial arts career—a blemish he attributes to nerves—Anstead has bounced back from losing his first bout by winning his second—against the previously undefeated Martin Trendota—and traveling the globe to further refine his skills.
Although I thought his credentials—especially in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—speak for themselves, Anstead’s potential becomes even more obvious when he’s in the gym; rolling and sparring with his teammates at Regina, Saskatchewan's Complete MMA.
After grappling and boxing with heavier, taller, more “experienced” mixed martial artists—consistently scoring and avoiding takedowns, transitioning and submitting his opponents with relative-ease, landing clean, crisp, technical punches against men, who for all intents and purposes, should be getting the better of Anstead—the middleweight is, after nearly two hours, just as fresh as when he began.
While it’s far too early to tell what the future holds for Anstead, on Saturday, when he returns to the ring for his third amateur bout at the Turvey Centre in his native Regina , he will have the opportunity to take the next step in establishing himself in the sport.
When asked how he’s feeling going into this weekend’s bout, Anstead replied, simply enough, “Very confident.”
And certainly for good reason.
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