Cree MMA fighters push for glory at Montreal Fight League

NorthIn Wolinak, Que., the roar of the Montreal Fight League crowd mixed with the sound of glove against mat last weekend, as Cree mixed-martial artists and their supporters packed into the venue, ready to test themselves on fight night.Young athletes from several Cree communities step into the cage — chasing wins, purpose and a healthy pathListen to this articleEstimated 5 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Logan Tomatuk and Silas Bosum share a hug after their match in the Montreal Fight League 45 event in Wolinak, Que., on Saturday. Fighters from across Eeyou Istchee participated in the event. (Montreal Fight League)In Wolinak, Que., the roar of the Montreal Fight League crowd mixed with the sound of glove against mat as Cree mixed-martial artists and their supporters packed into the venue, ready to test themselves on fight night.Fighters from across Eeyou Istchee — some making their debuts, others chasing title opportunities — travelled to Wolinak for the latest Montreal Fight League event last Saturday. Among them were Logan Tomatuk, who earned a win in his first MMA bout; Caleb Neeposh, who swung for a championship belt; and Phoenix Weistche, who says combat sports have helped him steer away from a difficult path. Their stories reveal how the sport has become both a challenge and a source of purpose for many young Cree athletes.Tomatuk, 18, arrived at last weekend’s event knowing he had something to prove.“I just had one year to prepare for this. I took the time to really sharpen out my skills, my techniques, my weak points,” said Tomatuk, who is from the Cree Nation of Eastmain.Logan Tomatuk sitting in his corner after a round on Saturday in Wolinak, with his coach, Young Ho Claveau-Ferreira. (Kieron Yates/Montreal Fight League)He spent the first round studying his opponent — measuring reach, style and weaknesses — before the bout shifted to the ground in the second.“In the second round I really paced myself out. He’s a good wrestler. He’s a strong kid. Had me on the ground,” said Tomatuk.By the final round, Tomatuk said, the moment demanded everything he had. Using his height and kickboxing, he pushed forward.“In the third round, it was do-or-die. It was either go hard or go home. I went hard. I took the win and I feel good. I feel accomplished,” he said.While Tomatuk celebrates the beginning of his amateur career, another young fighter, Phoenix Weistche, describes how MMA became a lifeline for him. Now in his second year of training and competition, Weistche says the sport helped him turn away from negative influences.“Combat sports is the only thing that would help me get out of that tough, negative life,” said the 18-year-old from Waskaganish, Que., in Cree.Phoenix Wiestche of Waskaganish won in his bout against Layton Lane. (Kieron Yates/Montreal Fight League)Weistche began fighting with the Montreal Fight League (MFL) two years ago, earning two wins and one loss. He added another win on Saturday, he says, and hopes his success inspires others in his community.Many fighters who make the trip south come from inland communities like Oujé-Bougoumou, Mistissini and Waswanipi, while some fighters who come from coastal communities like Eastmain and Waskaganish are slowly being introduced to competitive mixed martial arts.“I used to play hockey but since I realized I can be the only one who can do this for my community, Waskaganish, I’ll do it,” Weistche said.For him, the sport is about more than wins — it’s about personal transformation.Weistche corners his opponent. (Kieron Yates/Montreal Fight League)“Keep working hard in your life, really try hard, not just a little bit. One-hundred-per-cent willpower is most important if you want to fix something, or get rid of alcohol, drugs, smoking,” he said.He hopes to keep climbing the ranks toward a future title shot.“When you actually try, it can change, or leave things behind that hold you back from your goals or what you want to be, for real,” he said.Not every fight ends with a raised hand, and for some athletes, loss becomes its own lesson.“I’ve been fighting for like a year and a half now. This was my second fight for the belt,” said Caleb Neeposh, from the Cree Nation of Mistissini, at Saturday’s event.Neeposh challenged Edwin Petrea for the MFL bantamweight championship. He says it was a hard-fought match, and he fell short. He trains with a team in Chibougamau and says he’ll be back for the next MFL night.Caleb Neeposh, left, and Edwin Petrea fight for the MFL bantamweight championship. (Kieron Yates/Montreal Fight League)For Neeposh, MMA is unlike any other sport — once the cage door closes, the world narrows.“I feel like my mind is just my opponent. It’s like everything’s blocked away when I’m in there,” said Neeposh.The sport has also brought him closer to his grandfather.“I thank my grandfather for always supporting me, taking me to places, taking me to my fights, supporting my training,” he said.Among the Cree fighters, one idea repeats: in the cage, accountability is everything.Tomatuk wins a match against Silas Bosum. (Kieron Yates/Montreal Fight League)“It’s the only sport where you can only blame yourself. You can’t put your loss on someone else. It’s all about you,” said Tomatuk.Tomatuk says he’s grateful for the people who coach and support him, as well as family and friends — but once the fight starts, it’s on him to deliver.“Your drive, your own ambition is what makes you succeed, and that’s why I chose it, to rely on myself,” said Tomatuk.LISTEN | Backstage at a Montreal Fight League event in Wolinak:Eyou Dipajimoon (Cree)16:04Backstage at a Montreal Fight League event in WolinakOn November 15, Cree fighters and their fans went to Wolinak for a Montreal Fight League mixed martial arts event. We went backstage to talk to five of the fighters just as they stepped out of the ring: Phoenix Weistche, Logan Tomatuk, Michael Wapachee, Caleb Neeposh, and Preston Jolly.ABOUT THE AUTHORVanna Blacksmith is an Eenou-Anishinaabe award winning journalist from the Cree Nation of Mistissini, works with CBC Cree in Montreal. They share stories from across Eeyou Istchee and northern Quebec, with a passion for covering sports, community, Cree culture, health, and the arts. Story ideas can be sent vanna.blacksmith@cbc.ca