Real-life crime fighter, Phoenix Jones (real name Ben Fodor) will be making his big-time MMA debut Friday at WSOF 20 (NBCSN, 9 p.m. ET) after inking an official contract with World Series of Fighting. His first opponent will be welterweight Emmanuel Walo (7-2-1), an impressive first draw.
However, where most would undoubtedly be nervous, Fodor is likely feeling as cool as the other side of the pillow. After all, the only weapons he’ll need to worry about are the body parts of Emmanuel Walo; quite a difference from his other form of employment.
Fodor has been stabbed, shot…twice, hit with bats, and has had his life threatened on multiple occasions, all while patrolling the streets of seattle as a masked crime-fighter. In an interview with USA Today, Fodor explained a specific incident in 2010 that drove him to such a dangerous undertaking:
“We were in Pioneer Square, and we heard gunshots,” Fodor, 26, tells USA TODAY Sports. “I started pursuit, and saw what looked like a man with a cellphone pressed to his ear.” As Fodor later learned, what he saw was actually a 21-year-old woman clasping her hand over a gunshot wound as a gunman ran from the scene. As Phoenix Jones, clad in a mask and rubber superhero suit, Fodor gave chase. Still, as he constantly reminds himself now, “There was a moment of hesitation.” He was scared to chase a gunman around a corner, for obvious reasons, and he hesitated further when police arrived and ordered him to wait as they called for backup. As he spoke with officers, the gunman escaped. The victim, meanwhile, lay bleeding on the ground. “We were right there, and we just watched her die in the road,” Fodor says. “It was one of those experiences where I told myself, ‘It’s not your fault that she got shot, but it’s your fault that we didn’t catch the guy who shot her.’ It’s one of those things that I think about a lot. When I hear gunshots go off, I remember that I can’t let fear keep me from moving forward.”
While Ben Fodor should be applauded for his attempts to clean up society, the question I have is just who is protecting him when he’s not “Phoenix Jones”? There are real-life consequences to getting in the mix with the scourge of the city, and I don’t think the Seattle police department has “back up Phoenix Jones” in their annual budget.
As a trained MMA fighter, of course he should continue to provide assistance where it’s appropriate and reasonable. Chasing a kid who snatched a purse, or helping the police get information safely is one thing, getting involved in street wars with knife & gun wielding criminals is quite another.
Remember, you’re in the big-time now Ben.
[h/t USA Today]