At 38 years old, Willis is well embarked on a career in professional mixed martial arts (MMA). To his family and friends he has become a super hero. “I have a small family, but they are very supportive,” Willis said through a sign language interpreter. "They want me to be careful, but they come to all the matches. All the kids in the family like to watch. They think I am a super hero.”

Willis got into mixed martial arts late in life. It wasn't until he was in his mid 30s that he decided he wanted to take his shot at becoming a professional fighter.“I just watched it on TV and thought it was cool,” Willis said. “I wanted to get into it and try it. In 2005 I started training, then went pro. ”His lack of hearing hasn’t been a factor in competition. He had no hesitation taking on the challenge. It has not slowed him down as he strives to reach his goals.“I wasn’t nervous at all for my first fight,” Willis said. “I just wanted to do it, so I did it.” Willis was born in Oklahoma City and attended the Oklahoma School for the Deaf.

Since he took up MMA, Willis has beaten some top fighters including Mark Kerr and Brazil’s Fabiano Scherner. At 240 pounds, Willis is fighting in the heavyweight division and plans to win the IFC World Heavyweight Championship title in Penticton, British Columbia on August 15.

Whatever the outcome,Willis has already earned the respect of his peers. “They are fine with me being deaf,” Willis said. “They always say I am a good fighter. Most people do not even know I am deaf. They just know I am a good fighter.” “I am always excited about every match,” Willis said. “I am looking forward to the future and want to succeed. I am looking forward to getting into it more and more.”

Willis’ opponent will be Rochester, Minnesota’s Travis Wiuff, a UFC and Pride veteran. The World Championship will be part of a ten fight card which will be held in the IFC’s steel cage at the South Okanagan Event Center in Penticton, BC on August 15. Several regional fighters are expected to appear on the card. They include Mark Dobie, Travis Wright. Jake McDonald, Clay Davidson and Matt Baker. The event will be sanctioned by the Penticton Athletic Commission.

The IFC was the promoters that brought regulation to the sport in Canada and were responsible for Canada's first MMA events. Former and current IFC Champions include Chuck Liddell, Eugene Jackson, Rich Franklin, Forrest Griffin, Tim Silva, Jens Pulver, Dan Severn, Igor Vovchanchin, Matt Lindland, Nathan Marquardt, Babalu Sobrel, Shogun Rua, Jeremy Horn and many other top fighters in MMA. IFC fighters come from many backgrounds; they are respected as some of the best athletes in the world. Most use a combination of boxing, wrestling, open hand combat and martial arts fighting techniques in the cage. Fights can be won by knockout, submission or by the scorecard. There are three five-minute rounds in a non-championship bout and five five-minute rounds in a championship bout. Known for their extreme, no holds barred fighting in the steel cage IFC fighters will do just about anything necessary to win.

Tickets start at $30 Canadian and are on sale at ValleyFirstTIX.com or by calling 877-763-2849 in Canada .