The last time Ben (Vanilla Thunder) Tynan was at Bangkok's Lumphini Boxing Stadium, the Canadian-born mixed martial arts heavyweight walked away with a win and a $50,000 bonus. It turns out that his mother has been Tynan's patron since November.
The last time Ben (Vanilla Thunder) Tynan was at Bangkok's Lumphini Boxing Stadium, the Canadian-born mixed martial arts heavyweight walked away with a win and a $50,000 bonus.
His mother proved to be a benefactor from Tynan's One Championship debut on Nov. 3.
“We ended up taking her to England,” Tynan said. “Checked out some cool spots. Had a good time.”
“That’s kind of my plan,” the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder added. “I want to give back to my poor mother. She put up with me for so many years and gave me so much, and now I’m in a better position. I absolutely love taking my mom out and doing fun things.”
Tynan (5-0-0) will return to work on April 5 when he faces Australia's Duke Didier at One Fight Night 21: Arcel vs. Nicholas at the same venue in Bangkok.
In the main event, Surinamese-Dutch fighter Regien Eersel will defend his One Lightweight Kickboxing World Title against undefeated Frenchman Alexis Nicolas. In the co-main event, 21-year-old American Ty Ruotolo will take on Australian Isaac Michel for the One Welterweight Submission Grappling title.
Tynan, 30, says his mother accepts his work for a living.
“The only time I went against my mother's advice was when we got into a fight,” he said. “Every time I make a big decision in my life, I always ask her, and she always steers me in the right direction. But I remember when I quit wrestling in college, and I'm going to start wrestling.” I told her I was going to start a , and that was the only time. She didn't want me to do it.
“I said, 'I'm sorry, mom. I have to do this.' But she's going all in now. I can't see her live yet, but I'm rooting for her.” .”
Tynan is a larger-than-life character, always with an improvised sarcasm.
After his last fight, Tynan was asked who he wanted to fight next. I don't care who it is. Please send it to anyone. It's just that no one wants to come back. ”
He celebrated his victory by taking off his Canadian tuxedo T-shirt like the Hulk.
A former Canadian junior national wrestling champion, Tynan grew up in the United States and calls himself an “American.”
His father, Charles, is from Fort McMurray, Alta., and met his wife, Lisa, while on vacation in his native Hawaii. After his father passed away in 1995, his mother remarried and the family moved to Seattle in 1999.
Tynan grew up in the Seattle area, frequently visiting relatives in Canada during the summer, and also spent some time in Hawaii. He started wrestling in middle school and won the 2014 Canadian Junior Freestyle National Championships in Edmonton with 264.55 pounds.
He was accepted to Highline Community College, a junior college in Des Moines, Washington, where he finished his sophomore year with a 26-4 record and earned All-America honors. He came north to train at Simon Fraser University while attending junior college and considered transferring there, but ultimately chose North Dakota State.
He became interested in MMA at the High Line. Highline alumni include former UFC middleweight Trevor (Hot Sauce) Smith.
Tynan currently lives in Denver, where he competes against Curtis (Razor) Blaydes, who is ranked No. 5 among heavyweight contenders, PFL light heavyweight Ty (Big Medicine) Flores, and UFC light heavyweight Zack ( He trains on the Elevation Fight Team with Paul (The Ripper).
The bonus check for the Kang battle made things easier.
“I used to train full-time and do construction work on the side,” Tynan said. “So I was just putting gas in my car in between jobs. I'm now at the point where I can train full-time. I'm recovering well and I'm just focused on fighting. ”
Otherwise, life doesn't change much.
“I hang out with the same people. I drive the same old truck. I keep things the same,” he said. “It's been going very well so far.”
Tynan enjoys the advantage of not having to cut weight as a heavyweight.
“I eat a lot,” he said with a laugh. “Good might not be the right word. But yeah, I eat a lot. And pizza, too.”
He says he will adjust his eating habits in the weeks leading up to the fight, but will be following a “seafood diet.”
“I eat everything in sight,” he said.
The 34-year-old Didier (8-2-0) will overcome a split decision loss to Uzbekistan's Jasur Mirzamukhamedov in his One debut in June 2022. .
Didier, head coach at Progression MMA and Fitness Gym on the outskirts of Canberra, has only fought twice since September 2019 but holds Australian titles in judo, jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts.
Tynan is calm about his next opponent.
“I wish him all the best…He seems like a nice guy,” Tynan said. “I have nothing against him. Bless his heart.”
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 20, 2024.
Neil Davidson, Canadian Press
