Kelowna MMA gym debuts second Fight Camp video

KELOWNA – A little free time for a local film maker and an ever increasing appetite for mixed martial arts has revived a TV show offering a behind-the-scenes look at local fighters.

The pilot episode of David Lea’s Fight Camp has been shown on several fight channels including the Fight Network. Now the same team that made the first episode four years ago have put together a follow up episode that follows local UFC fighter Matt Dwyer.

It was filmed by DCD Productions Carey Missler, who also made The Paddler, and was filmed at Lea’s Toshido MMA in Kelowna.

“Carey (Missler) shot some footage this summer and he came to me and said ‘I’ve got another episode cut,’” Lea says.

The episode shows what goes on before and after the fights.

“The fans see the iceberg, what happens when the fighter gets in the cage, but the fact is that the two months leading up to the fight plays such a huge role,” Lea says. “People don’t know the injuries the fighters have had to train through, sicknesses, or family stress. Fight Camp shows a little bit of the struggles that most fans don’t see.”

Toshido MMA currently has four pro fighters in the UFC. Matt Dwyer, who fought in New Jersey last weekend, Sarah Moras, Shane Campbell and Rory MacDonald. Coach Lea says any exposure is good for the team.

“Gyms out east get a lot of attention,” he says. “Outside of Tristar (in Montreal) there’s nowhere else that’s putting as many fighters out there (as Toshido) but we don’t get covered as much. It’s nice when we can get some exposure.”

Lea says the Fight Network have already expressed interest in airing the video but a date has not been decided.

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