Former NHL enforcer Donald Brashear has officially signed with Quebec’s biggest MMA promotion Ringside MMA. Brashear has a long history of fighting, both within and well without the rules, perhaps most notably over a decade ago, when he was slashed across the temple with a hockey stick by Marty McSorley, after beating McSorley in a fight earlier in the game. McSorley was charged with assault with a weapon; the incident was the end of his NHL career.
During the 2004-2005 NHL lockout, Brashear went 2-1 as an amateur boxer under the tutelage of “Smokin” Joe Frazier. His official website also notes he trained under "legendary UFC Champion James 'Hoss' Skelton."
Brashear ended up being ranked the 15th all-time leader in NHL penalty minutes. He scored 85 goals and recorded 125 assists for 205 points, but his career minus-93 rating is the worst among the top 15 penalty-minute leaders.
His fighting continued when he moved down the lower tier Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey (LNAH). On March 25th, 2011, Brashear was involved in a serious brawl on ice where he continued to punch a defenseless downed player earning a five game suspension. After the altercation, he allegedly attacked a fan in the parking lot. Charges are oending at this time.
It remains to be seen whether or not the commission (Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux) will give Brashear his license, and as of Thursday, he had not yet applied for it. If Brashear applies and is licensed in time, he could fight as soon as Ringside 11 in Quebec City on June 4.
Brashear will reportedly train at Nordik Fight Club in Quebec. Should he get licensed, and subsequently fight (in a regualted bout) the question is whose path in MMA is he most likely to follow, that of Brock Lesnar, or James Toney, or Jose Canseco?
