Beware the 'Platypus'

An online article broke down Oklahoma's top exports. And since it was online, you know it's official.

The leader in 2010 was aerospace-related materials. The next two topping the list were liquid pumps and pork.

Now aerospace is a very generic entity. Who knows exactly what goods and services entails? A liquid pump? No clue and quite frankly even my Google is apathetic to finding out. Pork? Sure, sign me up.

The list tails off but my guess is number four is beatdowns. Our next shipment is scheduled to be delivered on May 13 in Finland.

"He likes to strike primarily with his fist," said Josh Pulsifer. "I'm working a lot on my striking to be able to close the distance."

Pulsifer is set to take on Juha-Pekka Vainikainen in Kouvolan Jäähalli Kouvola, Finland. OK, no more Finnish. I promise.

This marks the "Platypus's" first bout at 155 pounds. When he is not training for cage wars, Pulsifer teaches 10th grade U.S. history at Union High School. He is also an assistant wrestling coach for the varsity squad.

"When I workout with those high school boys, I'll wrestle every kid in the room from 103 (pounds) to heavyweight," he said.

Competition is in his blood. It has been that way for a long time.

Pulsimania

Born in Omaha, Neb., Pulsifer moved to Stillwater in fourth grade. By the fifth grade, Broken Arrow had become his home. It remains home today.

"I moved a whole lot," Pulsifer said. "One time I even moved across the street."

In sixth grade, Pulsifer started wrestling while attending Haskell Middle School. He was too young, but the school let him to practice since his older brother was part of the team.

Pulsifer's older brother was given wrestling gear as a team member, not Josh. His mom purchased what she thought was appropriate. His singlet was a big hit with the older boys.

"The whole first year, I basically got beat up and picked on because I was the dorky kid in the singlet," Pulsifer said.

He piled up wins on the novice circuit. Next he was thrown into the state tournament and got pinned in his first two matches.

"I figured out if you can be tougher than the other guy, you don't have to be the best wrestler in the world," he said. "Once I figured that out, it wasn't a problem for me. I was a junior high state champ."

The Rest is History. “When I workout with those high school boys, I’ll wrestle every kid in the room from 103 (pounds) to heavyweight,” said Josh Pulsifer, MMA fighter and 10th grade U.S history teacher.

His Broken Arrow High School squads won state every year he participated. He personally won state in his weight class during his senior year.

Like many aspiring Okies in the wrestling game, Pulsifer's sights were set on Oklahoma State University. A full-ride scholarship was not offered. He ended up attending Missouri Valley College.

The Vikings were a perennial powerhouse in NAIA wrestling. Pulsifer convinced his wife-to-be Jena to join him at college. Everything was going great, but a challenge faced him that faces many college wrestlers upon graduation: What now?

Pulsifer had been a fan of mixed martial arts growing up. He and his buddies watched tapes of early UFC and Pride shows. They were ate up with it.

After college, Pulsifer moved back to Broken Arrow and started training at Mikey's Gym with legendary local MMA pioneer Mikey Burnett.

He eventually moved on to the infamous Tulsa Top Team with Beau Taylor and Blake Hayes. They brought him onboard and introduced him to a local guy having success at the highest level: Matt Wiman.

"I went to high school with that guy," Pulsifer said. "Me and Matt are friends and I haven't seen him since probably my sophomore year."

Wiman starred on The Ultimate Fighter Season 5. Pulsifer kept training. He was not sure where the training would lead.

"I am going to the fights and training and not really planning to take a fight," he said.

The call comes. Pulsifer notifies his trainers. He drops 30 pounds down to hit the 145 pound mark in nine days. Next thing you know, Pulsifer has his first victory. He is hooked.

Pulsifer now sports a solid 16-5 record. He trains mainly at Triton under Tulsa's only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, Piet Wilhelm. He also works on his striking at Apollo's Martial Arts with Dale Cook and Randy Blake.

Wilhelm will join him on his trek to Finland.

"They will fly me out on a Wednesday and I'll get there Thursday morning," he said. "Weigh-ins are Friday and the fight is Saturday and we will fly back Sunday."

The game plan is set for the 17-5 striking Fin. Of his five losses, four of them were by submission. He likes to give up his back and Pulsifer does not mind using his American wrestling base to take the opportunity.

The "Platypus" is one of the more popular local fighters. Normally sponsors are lining up to put their brand on his shorts. This fight, things have been a little more difficult.

The OKUG led by Godfather Anthony Sullivan has been behind Josh since his eighth fight. His fraternity brothers from college also pitch in under the Reuse/Recycle brand out of Kansas City. Mighty Mouthguards is the latest addition and they have proven to be valuable so far.

"They hooked me up with a custom mouth guard," he said. "I have a new one coming now because my dog chewed my last one."

So says the high school teacher. Wonder if he would buy the same excuse?

"Mine really did," he said. "I have a dog that will eat anything if you leave it out."

Let's see what kind of excuse the Finnish fighter comes up with when Pulsimania runs wild on him.