The vast majority of MMA fighters will never get the chance to face one of the sport’s pioneers or legends, so when Chad Olmstead was offered an opportunity to take on 100 fight plus veteran and UFC Hall of Fame member Dan Severn, the Edmonton heavyweight knew immediately what to say.

“When I was asked to fight Dan, I was excited to be given the opportunity, but yet nervous,” said Olmstead, who was given the chance to fight the decorated fighter at King of the Cage Canada’s upcoming July 30^th, “Lock Down” event in Edmonton. “Dan is a legend in the sport and still very active. When I was asked I didn't hesitate; I instantly said yes. I know he is still dangerous, but come July 30th I will give it all I got and see where I stand against ‘The Beast’. I am honoured to fight Dan Severn.”

Olmstead was quick to credit Severn for his abilities, as despite the fact the veteran is nearly 20 years older than Olmstead at 51, the accomplished wrestler continues to win fights. In fact, heading into Severn’s tilt with the 33 year-old Olmstead, the heavyweight has won 4 straight bouts and 17 of his last 20.

“I think the key to success against Dan is to stay off my back,” said Olmstead. “Dan is an amazing wrestler and once he gets on top of you it’s usually game over. I'm generally a ground fighter too, so I have changed up a few things to prepare for Dan; a lot more ground and takedown defense. Dan is a big strong man, but I think I have the edge in strength. I have no preference if the fight stays standing or goes to the ground, as long as I keep my back off the mat.”

Of course Olmstead wouldn’t have taken the fight if he was confident in his abilities to defeat Severn, and continues to hone his skills with some of Edmonton’s top MMA talent.

“I train at Legends with Victor Valimaki; we work my wrestling, as well as some kick boxing and I box at Panther Boxing almost daily with Paras Vera, Benny Swanson and Lee Shelly,” said Olmstead, who when not training works as a civil inspector for Enbridge Pipelines. “I do weights and cardio at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park, and run the river valley stairs a couple times a week in Edmonton.”

“It all started when a good buddy of mine, Corey Knapp started fighting. I went to one of his fights and was hooked ever since,” Olmstead added while discussing his roots in MMA. “Through the sport I became good friends with Tim Hague, who took me with him to PIX, a gym up in St. Albert. My first day there was very intimidating. There was guys in there like Luke Harris, Victor Valimaki, Bill Mesi, Mike Frose, Ryan Ford, Sheldon Westcott. That's a bad ass crew and I had to learn fast. I took my first pro fight in September 08 and won 65 seconds in the first round.”

And as far as getting another opportunity to fight in Edmonton’s Rexall Place; home of the city’s beloved Oilers?

“I'm really excited to fight at Rexall,” said Olmstead. “This will be my second fight in Rexall Place, and these shows are loaded with great fighters. We have a lot of local talent here in Edmonton, and they get to show their skills in their own back yard, in the biggest venue in the city. I want to thank Ken (Kupsch) and his staff for giving me the chance of a lifetime to fight Dan Severn. Win, loose or draw, I'm leaving it all in the cage and going to make this an entertaining fight!”