MMA Fighters Make History in Australia’s First-Ever Amputee Cage Fight
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Living with limb loss doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams. Buck Cooper and Glenn Dickson never thought they would step into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) after amputation surgery, let alone make history in Australian sports. In June 2024, they achieved a milestone by participating in the first-ever cage fight between amputees.
At 25, both Cooper and Dickson had life-threatening accidents, which resulted in losing a leg. Despite the challenges they faced post-amputation, they dedicated themselves to MMA training and were determined to compete in this brutal sport. However, their biggest obstacle was finding opponents willing to fight against amputees.
In an interview with ABC News, Dickson said he discovered Cooper on Instagram when he searched for “amputee fighter.” After considering Cooper’s weight class and fighting style, Dickson reached out to him.
In the same interview, Cooper shared that he was initially hesitant but eventually accepted the offer after realizing that Dickson had connections to promotional fighters, which would help him realize his post-accident goal of joining the MMA.
Survivors are resilient fighters
Before losing his leg at 25 years old, Dickson was a semi-professional Muay Thai fighter. But as he was spearfishing off Hinchinbrook Island, a bull shark attacked him, tearing away his calf.
Dickson’s heart stopped six times on the way to the hospital. When he woke up from a coma a week later, he learned that his right leg had been amputated.
In the crucial moments leading up to his amputation surgery, Dickson said that he thought about giving up but decided to keep fighting for the sake of his daughter.
Now 32, Dickson said that his survival shaped who he is today. The journey to recovery was lengthy and challenging, but his prosthetic training and physiotherapy sessions kept him motivated.
Meanwhile, Ulladulla-based fighter Cooper was also 25 years old when he got involved in a head-on motorcycle collision. He sustained severe injuries, including the loss of his left leg and the use of his left arm.
Following a two-month stay in intensive care, he reflected on his experience and realized that he was given a choice to either continue living or not. Like Dickson, Cooper decided to stay and fight for his kids.
During his recovery, he created a list of goals, one of which was to compete in MMA.
Another chance to fight
On June 1, 2024, Cooper and Dickson found themselves inside an MMA cage at the Fred Moule Exhibition Centre in Cairns. There, they showed the audience what they are capable of as prostheses-wearing MMA fighters. Both athletes made history by making the first-ever caged Muay Thai match between amputees possible.
Cooper was proclaimed the winner despite having only one functional arm, while his opponent had two.
Chris Bowtell, the man behind Explosive Fight Promotions, which organized the Explosive Cage Fight, emphasized the organization’s commitment to offering all fighters equal opportunities to advance in their careers, regardless of their circumstances. Bowtell said that amputee fighters deserve another chance to fight.
For both Cooper and Dickson, this fight goes beyond getting the chance to fight again post-amputation. The two athletes hope the event will open doors for others with limb loss and limb differences to pursue their fighting aspirations.
