Kansas City rapper Tech N9ne’s “Einstein” was blaring on the speakers when Powell River’s Michael “The Mercenary” Hill stepped into the cage for his first fight in mixed martial arts (MMA).
“It was the first fight of the night and I was fighting the hometown kid,” said Hill. “I remember walking out, it was dark, the lights came on, and the fog machine, then my walk-out music. There was that voice inside my head that said, ‘This is what you’re meant to do; this is you.’”
The 28-year-old fights as a 170-pound welterweight, considered, along with heavyweight and lightweight divisions, one of the top three in the eight weight classes of MMA.
Within his division, Hill said he is one of the toughest.
“I’m a tough nail, a tough fight for anyone,” he said. “I’ve fought the toughest guys in the country. For someone to step up to the plate and say, ‘I want to fight Mike Hill,’ it’s a tough thing to do.”
On April 15, Hill went into Spencer “The Judge” Jebb’s hometown of Grande Prairie, AB, and fought to a split-decision victory; an important win for Hill, who continues to climb the welterweight rankings. Jebb is ranked number 11 in Western Canada for welterweights; number 12 in the country.
According to Hill, whose record is now at 9-4, he cannot afford a loss.
“Once you lose two fights in a row, people forget about you,” he said. “Fighting is a sport of who can last the longest. It’s survival of the fittest; it’s survival of the strongest.”
Top 10 Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters in the world today are all 35 to 38 years old, said Hill. At best, Hill has 10 more years in the cage, barring injury or any unforeseen circumstances, he said.
Hill now has a daughter, Blythe, who was born 10 months ago. It has been a struggle to be in her life, he said, and fighting interferes with that.
“You’ve got to be selfish,” said Hill. “A lot of people don’t understand what it takes. I have a fight lined up against a UFC star in six weeks, but right now it’s just about being in my daughter’s life.”
Hill was a star athlete growing up in Powell River. However, he admits to causing a ruckus at times.
“I coached him on the soccer team and he was a very good player,” said Tony Rice, Brooks Secondary School vice-principal. “He didn’t always move in a straight line. He was energetic, let’s say that.”
MMA is not what a traditional Powell River kid would end up doing, said Rice, adding that he thought the timing was perfect for his former student, who arrived on the MMA scene when it was just taking off.
In 2009, Hill said he and his friends started watching a new reality show.
“The Ultimate Fighter came on TV; the sport wasn’t big until that show,” said Hill. “Me and my friends were hell-raiser kids; we were into fighting. I just said one day to my friend, ‘I can do this.’ I told everyone I was going to go do it and everyone just kind of shook their heads.”
Hill did do it. He may not have the best record or ranking, but has proven he can fight since turning professional almost six years ago.
If cleared by doctors through a protocol of post-fight medicals, Hill’s reputation as a tough guy who takes on the toughest fighters will be put to the test at the main event of Prestige FC 7, against London, ON’s Jesse “The Body Snatcher” Ronson, whose record is 15-7-0.
“You train for eight weeks for 15 minutes that night,” said Hill. “It can end in five seconds; it can go 15 minutes. It’s a crazy ride.”
