Byline: Travis Perkins
Jun. 1--San Carlos native Scott Lighty became a professional kickboxer at 25. He eventually competed in K-1, a biannual event that features stand-up techniques such as boxing and karate. The muaythai kickboxing expert accumulated a record of 20-11-2, while knocking out seven opponents, over the course of that career.
But at the age of 28, Lighty stepped away from K-1 action, partly because of the long wait between matches.
'And kickboxing is kind of dying,' Lighty said. 'It's big in Japan. But not so big over here.'
Another reason Lighty walked away from K-1 is that he hopes to compete in a different, but similar sport, one with more appeal to the American public -- mixed-martial arts, popularized by organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championships, PRIDE and the
International Fight League.
'MMA has taken off,' said Lighty, who played football at Carlmont High. 'It will be something new and exciting for me.'
'I think I told him to do it,' trainer John Hackleman said. 'Most of mine are MMA fighters, and I have some kickboxers, but it's a pain in the butt to do both.'
Although he currently has no scheduled bouts, the kickboxer intends to make his MMA debut as a light heavyweight this summer, with August circled tentatively.
Still, he wouldn't object to an earlier date and will take a bout with two weeks' notice.
'In the beginning, it's whatever comes our way,' Hackleman said. 'Everybody hopes for the big leagues, but we will also see how it goes in the small shows.'
'I am not too picky,' Lighty said. 'I will pretty much fight anyone. It doesn't matter. ... It's a matter of watching these guys.'
And he saw two of the best square off last Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, when Chuck 'The Iceman' Liddell lost the UFC light heavyweight title in the first round by knockout to Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson.
The outcome caused disappointment for Lighty, considering he sat in the corner of Liddell.
'I have known Chuck for a long time,' said Lighty, who stands at 6 feet, 2 inches and fights at 220 pounds. 'I would do anything for the guy.'
The kickboxer and MMA fighter first crossed paths eight years ago.
'I went to S.L.O., or I mean San Luis Obispo, to go to Cuesta (Community College),' Lighty said. 'Chuck's gym was just right across the street so I walked over. From the day I started, I never stopped.'
But Lighty branched out from The Pit, training in San Francisco and Holland -- where he won the Rising Sun Four Man Tournament when he returned -- before going back to San Luis Obispo. Under the tutelage of Hackleman and Liddell, Lighty works on strategies, ground techniques and stand-up techniques. He also spars with Glover Teixiera, a light heavyweight at 205.
'He's been kicking butt right now,' said Hackleman. 'He actually, in sparring, took down a three-time All-American (wrestler). Everything's going good between Chuck and Glover.'
Lighty also teaches kickboxing. He originally became a trainer to cover gym dues and supplements his income by bartending at a local popular country bar in San Luis Obispo -- Bull's Tavern.
The college students who frequent the joint generally stay in line.
'The college kids are pretty cool,' Lighty said with a laugh. 'It's a small town so everybody knows who you are.'
Lighty fills the rest of his time working with metal and steel. The hours spent at work in his father's Volkswagen shop in San Mateo have developed an alternate use for his hands outside the ring.
E-mail Travis Perkins at tperkins@dailynewsgroup.com.
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