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MMA fighter Mike Dragich wrestles 10-foot alligator outside Florida elementary school

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs06/01/23grant_grubbs_
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Photo via @bluecollar_brawler | Instagram

If Steve Irwin was still around, he’d be proud. Last week, amateur MMA fighter Mike Dragich wrestled and captured an alligator outside of an elementary school in Jacksonville, Fla.

Yes, you read that correctly. The situation straight out of a slapstick comedy unfolded when the 10-foot monster crawled up near campus. The local officials called Dragich, who is a licensed gator trapper. From the looks of his social media, he’s good at his job.

“We’re contracted to catch and either relocate or remove nuisance alligators in our local area,” Dragich told TMZ Sports. “I’m the trapper for Duvall County and I handle all the nuisance alligator permits here in Duvall.”

When Dragich isn’t tussling scaly beasts, he’s training with equally dangerous creatures.

“I’ve got a bunch of buddies fighting in the UFC, or soon to be,” Dragich said. “Them putting a whooping on me definitely keeps me in shape to fight these alligators.”

Dragich needs his fitness. With a budding MMA career, the 33-year-old fighter takes every chance he can to confront his fears.

“You’ve got to embrace that fear and punch it in the mouth,” Dragich said with a smile. “My heart is pounding out of my chest, adrenaline is pumping, juices are flowing. But, when that cage closes or when I get in front of an alligator, all I see is the job in front of me.”

Unfortunately for the gator, it was the job in front of Dragich that night. After a hard-fought battle, the self-proclaimed “Blue Collar Brawler” eventually slipped a catch pole over the Gator’s head. Winner by unanimous decision with no injuries to bystanders.

Dragich plans on celebrating his victory in a special way.

“There’s a time and a place certain animals need to be harvested and when that happens, the meat is shared with friends and family,” the US Marine Corps veteran said. “We’ll be doing a nice cookout with the local community here.”