– My goal is to be the best in the world, and put Norway on the map like Petter Northug in cross-country skiing and Erling Braut Haaland in football. These are big words for a 21-year-old. Jon Vetle Furuheim tells with confidence and with a smile on his face about his big goal in his career. Becoming the world’s best MMA athlete is far from easy for a young boy from Oslo, but he has had the dream since he was only six years old. On Saturday, Furuheim played his fifth professional match against Italian Alberto Magris in Finland. Even with a strong victory – in what is his biggest fight to date in his career. Made his debut as a 15-year-old As a child, he had a lot of energy. The parents looked for an opportunity for their son to have an outlet for him, and they settled on martial arts. – I started with taekwondo and Thai boxing when I was five or six years old, says Furuheim. UNG: For many years, Jon Vetle Furuheim has been talked about as Norway’s opportunity in MMA. Photo: Mads Thygesen / news The fact that he started MMA, he says himself, is a coincidence. He saw some adults practicing the sport at the same training center as himself, and decided to give it a try. After many years of training, he made his MMA debut as an amateur in England as a 15-year-old. In eleven matches as an amateur, he won nine and lost two, before turning professional last autumn. There he stands so far with four wins and one loss in five matches. Willing to be the best in the world Norway has had several MMA athletes who have asserted themselves and fought in the biggest organization UFC. Furuheim aims to become bigger than those before him, and put Norway on the map. – Ever since I was little, I have had the goal of entering the UFC and becoming the best in the world. I am still young and on the right track towards my goal, he says. TARGET: Together with their long-time trainer Chris Nilsen, they train with one goal in mind: UFC and world champion title. Photo: Mads Thygesen / news As part of the goal of putting Norway on the MMA map, he wants greater attention to the sport in this country. He will focus on the fact that MMA athletes are top athletes on the same level as other top sports. – Right now, MMA is legal in almost all countries. Norway is one of the few countries where it is illegal. So that speaks for itself, says Furuheim. – Can you understand why people are skeptical of sports? – Yes, I can understand that many people are skeptical of MMA, and that it looks quite brutal. Everyone who practices martial arts is ready to defend themselves. You can never go into a match if you are not ready for it, he says. – What do you think it will take for MMA to become legal in Norway? – Boxing was not legal in Norway until Cecilia Brækhus became world champion. I think the same is the case with MMA, he says. – Easier to become the best soccer player in the world MMA expert and commentator for Viaplay, Thomas Narmo, believes Furuheim has all the prerequisites on his side to become the best in the world. – He can of course be the best in the world. He has the skills, the mentality and the equipment around him to manage it, says Namo. NO DOUBT: Thomas Narmo believes Jon Vetle Furuheim can become the best MMA athlete in the world. He says everything has to fall into place, but that Furuheim has everything it needs. Photo: Mads Thygesen / news Furthermore, he says that the martial arts world expects him to be able to break into the world’s top, if not become the best in the world. – To explain to the man on the street how good Furuheim is, what can we compare his achievements and talent with? – You can compare Jon Vetle with our national team players in football. He delivers at a high level. I think it is easier to become the best soccer player in the world than to become the best MMA athlete in the world, says Narmo.
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– The aim is to become the world’s best – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
