Heavyweights are always in demand in mixed martial arts—a reality on which Ben Tynan undoubtedly hopes to capitalize.
As Tynan moves closer to his looming showdown with Kang in Southeast Asia, here are five things you might not know about him:
1. The Pacific Northwest served as his launching pad.
Tynan was born on Feb. 15, 1994 in Kennewick, Washington, a city of 90,000 people situated some 230 miles southeast of Seattle. It has produced a number of professional athletes, including Detroit Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman, NASCAR driver Damon Lusk and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mike Reilly.
2. The singlet put him in touch with his martial side.
A four-year letterman as a wrestler at Hanford High School in Richland, Washington, Tynan earned All-America honors at Highline Community College. He went 26-4 as a sophomore and then moved on to North Dakota State University, where the onetime NCAA qualifier compiled a 38-20 career record for the Bison.
3. A high-level inner circle surrounds him.
Tynan operates out of the esteemed Elevation Fight Team camp in Denver. It provides him with daily access world-class trainers like Vinnie Lopez, Cody Donovan and Justin Houghton while affording him the opportunity to sharpen his skills alongside accomplished stablemates like Curtis Blaydes, Neil Magny and Cory Sandhagen.
4. He puts a premium on time.
“Vanilla Thunder” has finished all four of his professional opponents inside two rounds. In fact, Tynan has secured his four victories in 10:21 combined. He needed just 45 seconds to punch out Cody Sheronick in his March 5, 2022 debut under the Colorado Mixed Martial Arts Promotions banner.
5. Fame runs in his family.
Tynan’s grandfather, Leo Reed, enjoyed a distinguished career as an offensive lineman at Colorado State University, then spent nine games with the American Football League’s Denver Broncos and Houston Oilers in 1961. He went on to become the longtime director of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Motion Picture and Theatrical Trades Division.