CTV News Ottawa

Updated: Sun Jul. 27 2008 6:44:53 PM

ctvottawa.ca

Former football star and radio broadcaster Glen Kulka is celebrating his victory in mixed martial arts after making is debut at Gatineau's Robert Guertin Arena Saturday night.

At 44 year old, he knew he was putting his reputation on the line and his fans weren't disappointed. In his mixed martial arts Freedom Fight debut, Glenn Kulka beat out "X-Man" Wayne Xilon in the first round.

"It's probably the best of all worlds as far as intensity, flexibility, intelligence, toughness," Kulka said.

"It's a new challenge. I like to train, and these guys train harder than anyone I've ever seen in my life."

His tangles with the toughest linesmen known to Canada made him an Ottawa Rough Riders fan favourite.

After securing a pro-football bench press record, the six-foot-two, 260-pound athlete tore his way into wrestling and onto the ice.

Now, at age 44, a new era of Kulkamania is hitting Ottawa and Gatineau in the form of mixed martial arts.

Kulka began training just eight months before his debut match and impressed trainer Brent Beauparlant.

"He learns really quickly and is a good student. He does what you tell him to do and he responds really quickly," he said.

Kulka said he was confident his 30 years of training will breed success in his new sport of choice.

"I tell my wife you've got a lot better chance at getting hurt on the football field than you do here," he said.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Natalie Johnson