ONE Championship has added one of MMA’s most promising rising stars to its heavyweight division.
Canadian standout Ben “Vanilla Thunder” Tynan will bring his talents to the world’s largest martial arts organization as he looks to build on the lofty expectations surrounding him and ultimately fight his way to a ONE World Title.
Simply put, fans should be excited to see an athlete of Tynan’s caliber competing against the best heavyweights in the world.
With that said, here are five facts about the man known as “Vanilla Thunder.”
#1 He’s An Accomplished Wrestler
Like reigning ONE Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion Anatoly Malykhin, the promotional newcomer comes from an extensive and successful background in amateur wrestling.
Even before Tynan wrestled for North Dakota State University and qualified for the NCAA Division I National Championships, he was a Canadian Junior Freestyle National Champion.
That top-tier wrestling prowess shines through in his MMA repertoire, as the 29-year-old employs an explosive takedown game with punishing work from the top position.
#2 He Boasts A Perfect MMA Record
Tynan has yet to taste defeat in his MMA career. Not only is he 4-0 in the professional ranks, but he also owns a pristine 8-0 amateur record.
And even though he’s yet to face the elite competition he’ll see in ONE Championship, “Vanilla Thunder’s” unblemished slate speaks volumes about his raw potential.
#3 He’s Finished Every Opponent To Date
As if Division I wrestling credentials and an undefeated record weren’t enough to prove his talent, Tynan also sports an impressive 100 percent finishing rate in mixed martial arts.
Importantly, the heavyweight phenom has shown an uncanny ability to find the finish in a variety of ways. Across his 12 amateur and professional bouts, Tynan has finished seven foes by strikes and five by submission – including four different kinds of submission.
What’s more, he works quickly, seeing the second round just twice in his entire career.
#4 He’s Competed In A Variety Of Combat Sports
The wrestling standout has made a concerted effort to challenge himself in various martial arts.
In addition to his hundreds of matches in amateur wrestling, Tynan has competed in gi jiu-jitsu, submission grappling, and kickboxing – a testament to his desire to develop a well-rounded MMA game.
#5 He’s A Flamboyant Personality
Beyond his natural physical gifts and ruthless finishing abilities, “Vanilla Thunder” is an enigmatic personality that ONE fans are sure to love.
With his bleached blonde hair and often-comical walkout attire, Tyan has an eye for showmanship that will soon be broadcast to millions of viewers on ONE’s massive global platform.
