Zion Clark, an American athlete born without legs, won an MMA fight after setting 3 world records in other sports

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Zion Clark, an American athlete born without legs, won an MMA fight after setting 3 world records in other sports
Zion Clark.Photos by Zion Clark / Instagram
  • Zion Clark is an extraordinary athlete and three-time world record breaker.
  • The wrestler, who was born without legs, won his first MMA match Saturday.
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"You don't need legs to leave a footprint on Earth," reads a caption on American athlete Zion Clark's Instagram.

Considering the 25-year-old's accomplishments across various health and fitness pursuits, it seems like a motto he lives up to every day.

Clark, born without legs, made his MMA debut Saturday at an event called Gladiator Challenge: Seasons Beatings in San Diego.

With extraordinary upper body strength and a foundation in wrestling, Clark took Eugene Murray to the floor and out-grappled his opponent through the three-round fight.

The results were one-sided and unanimous as the judges rewarded Clark's work with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 30-27 — a landslide.

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After victory was confirmed, Clark celebrated with a backflip.

Watch the highlights right here:

Clark is trained by Antonio McKee, a renowned coach in southern California and the father of prominent Bellator MMA fighter A.J. McKee.

In a post-fight comment on Instagram, Clark praised McKee to his 1 million followers.

"Blessed is an understatement," he said. "Thanks to my teammates and coaches to prep me the last few months. Antonio McKee is the best coach around."

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Clark made it clear that he'd be looking to fight again. "Onto the next one," he said. "Let's get it."

Clark was born with a rare disorder

Clark was born with caudal regression syndrome, a rare birth disorder, Fox News reported.

Regardless, it isn't just ultimate fighting in which he is excelling as Clark also holds world records recognized by Guinness.

"I'm the world's fastest man on two hands," Clark proudly said in a Guinness World Records video from October.

Clark is a three-time world-record breaker

A post shared by Zion Clark (@bigz97)

"There's nobody faster on their hands than me in the world," he added, before footage showed him posting a time of 4.78 seconds across 20 meters. "Out of seven billion people on the planet, I'm No.1."

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World record officiators told him he had a minimum of 0.61 meters (two feet) to beat in a box jump before Clark attempted to clear two and a half feet to take the record.

Clark made the jump with apparent ease. "Just like that — easy," he said before clearing another record jump of 33 inches to take a second world record.

The athlete then set a third world record for most diamond push-ups in three minutes by scoring 248 reps — a haul that beat the previous record by eight reps.

Watch his record-breaking feats right here:

Clark's story and athletic success were documented in a Netflix show called Zion. It was first released in 2018.

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A post shared by Zion Clark (@bigz97)

"I want to thank everyone who's reached out to me, been motivated by my story and vulnerable enough to share their story or what they're going through with me," Clark said, regarding the documentary of his life.

"Remember this will pass, life will get easier you just have to keep believing and stay strong through the tough times.

"I know God had big plans for me, and I hope my story and my voice makes you realize how blessed you are to be here, life is a gift. I was put on this planet to move mountains, and that's what I'm going to do!"

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