David Michaud proudly wears the Oglala Lakota Nation flag to his mixed martial arts matches. Photo from Facebook

An open letter to Dana White, UFC President
By Brandon Ecoffey
Lakota Country Times Editor
www.lakotacountrytimes.com

It is safe to say that the majority of the Oglala Lakota Nation would like to see David "Bull Dawg" Michaud enter the Octagon in Sioux Falls on July 13.

Michaud has proven to be an example for the youth of the Oglala Lakota Nation of what it takes to succeed, the right way, in order achieve one's grandest goals. Despite the odds that he has faced growing up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Michaud has proven that focus and hard work can overcome. He deserves to fight on the July 13 UFC Fight Night card set to take place in Sioux Falls and this is why.

My first thought when writing this letter was to remind the UFC that they owe Indian Country a favor. Without the willingness of tribal-nations to sanction and host MMA events in the 1990's the UFC would undoubtedly not be where it is today. Can we call in this favor and get "Bull Dawg" on the card?

If more convincing is needed, Michaud has shown an ever improving stand up game to go along with his solid offensive grappling skills. The man is 9-2 having only dropped fights to a giant Jiangliang Li (10-4) at welterweight, and Olivier Aubin-Mercier (7-2) in front of the French-Canadian's hometown crowd in Montreal. Since Michaud is afraid of heights he drove to Montreal from Phoenix, AZ! I'm not making excuses for him, nor do I need to. In his most recent fight at RFA 37 against Chris Hugh (16-12), Michaud unveiled a more explosive version of himself in route to securing the first round submission.

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There is nothing left for him to prove and he deserves to represent the Oglala Lakota Nation and South Dakota in the UFC on July 13.

Sincerely,

Indian Country

(Brandon Ecoffey is the current editor of LCT and an enrolled citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation who was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.)

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