It’s no secret that celebrities are often in attendance at high profile combat sporting events like mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing matches, but one young fighter has a Hollywood star in his corner.
Actor Chris Pratt recently added a new role to his resume, as a licensed second (commonly known as a cornerman) with DCA’s California State Athletic Commission. The Guardians of the Galaxy star was ringside with fighter Adel Altamimi in his MMA debut at Bellator 214 in Los Angeles in January. Altamimi defeated opponent Brandon McMahon in the first round by submission, winning his first featherweight match.
Ben Deci of The Peel by DCA caught up with Pratt at the event to talk about his role as a second and Iraqi-born Altamimi’s incredible journey from working as a contractor for the U.S. Marines to his capture by Al-Qaeda terrorists to rising MMA star.