Olympic silver medalist and rising MMA prospect Mark Madsen is all set for the big stage after one of the most special experiences of his decorated athletic career.
Madsen (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) took Olympic Greco-Roman silver in the 75-kilogram category at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro before making the decision to switch sports and become a full-time MMA fighter.
Eight fights and eight wins later, he was handed his shot in the UFC, and he took his opportunity with both hands, demolishing Danilo Belluardo in just 72 seconds at UFC on ESPN+ 18 in his home nation of Denmark.
“It was a major experience,” he told MMA Junkie. “Being co-main event, in Denmark, in Copenhagen (with) 13,000 excited fans, it was quite an experience. I’ve got to put it way up there (with the Olympics). It was special.”
Now that Madsen has his first UFC fight – and his first victory – under his belt, the Dane is looking to build a winning streak in the UFC’s lightweight division by securing victory over Austin Hubbard (11-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at UFC 248 on March 7. The fight represents Madsen’s first fight on U.S. soil, and his first opportunity to compete in the UFC’s home city of Las Vegas. And although his debut in Copenhagen may have been special, Madsen says he’s just as excited to make his Vegas bow.
“It’s my second UFC fight, right? I get to fight in the fight capital No. 1, Las Vegas,” he enthused. “It’s on the big stage, it’s on a numbered show, I’m excited. It doesn’t matter who steps up there in front of me, I’m there to put on a show. I know Austin Hubbard, he’s a good guy. It’s a guy that went three rounds with Davi Ramos. It’s an exciting fight, and I can’t wait to get in there.”
The fight may only be Madsen’s second under the UFC banner, but it marks the milestone of his 10th professional bout. The 35-year-old has a lifetime of competitive experience as an elite wrestler, but now he’s excited to be developing his skills in a new sport, and he says he’s improving at a rapid rate.
“I have a long career in wrestling, and I decided three years ago to do MMA 100 percent,” Madsen said. “I’m evolving at a rapid pace, and I’ve been putting work in every single day since my debut. Honestly, I feel I am in the best shape of my MMA career.”
Madsen looks in great shape and ready for the matchup, and he says he’s going to follow the formula that has taken him to victory in each of his nine bouts so far.
“I usually do what my coach Martin Kampmann tells me,” he smiled. “Close the distance, take them down, beat them up. That’s pretty much the gameplan up until now, so it’s been on point. This is all about performing, sticking with a gameplan, then going in there and putting a show on that you want to put on.”
If he continues to put on the sort of show we saw on his debut, it might not be long until “The Olympian” finds himself lining up opposite big-name opposition inside the octagon.
Mark Madsen's winning formula: 'Close the distance, take them down, beat them up'