With MMA fights, Clyde man tries to knock out drug use

ouriel@sanduskyregister.comBELLEVUEA terrifying opponent has knocked out far too many people Richie Webber knows.It also landed a crushing blow on his body, almost placing him down for the death count."I have overdosed twice on heroin, and the second time I almost didn't make it," Webber said. "Both times I had to be revived by NARCAN (a drug used to revive overdose victims). The second time, I needed NARCAN twice."Since his near-fatal experience almost two years ago, Webber has made a triumphant comeback in life."I didn't want to do this anymore," said Webber, who's maintained his sobriety for 17 consecutive months.To help others avoid addictive substances, Webber, figuratively and literally, launched a full-fledged fight for recovery:• Figuratively, he started a support group to raise awareness about the heroin and opiate epidemics. Group members meet twice a week, in Clyde and Fremont, to cope with the aftermath of addiction.• Literally, Webber recently took up mixed martial arts as therapy to cope with substance abuse.His efforts circle back to his recently established nonprofit, #FightForRecovery."Our first purpose is to raise awareness about the drug problems in our community and also put a face to addiction," said Webber, a 2010 Clyde High School graduate and former state track champion.Webber's inspiration for the movement stems to the first friend he had die from drugs."My friend Bryce Williamson I played Little League and football with, died at 23," Webber said. "It was heart-wrenching to see him die. He overdosed on heroin. I was tired of seeing people like him die, and that's why I wanted to fight for recovery."To further the cause, Webber organized #FightForRecovery's first major fundraiser: a mixed martial arts showcase slated for Saturday night.A portion of the event's proceeds funnels into Webber's nonprofit. The money will help cover costs to:• Raise awareness about drug abuse• Schedule positive events and sober activities specifically geared toward recovering addicts• Offset transportation costs so people in recovery can become productive members of society"Something like this gives me a purpose and makes me feel like I can do something about it instead of watching it from afar," Webber said. "We are trying to change the way people view addiction so we can get help and support."Webber wants people to realize, no matter when, addicts can battle back against drugs to score a personal victory against a foe claiming far too many lives."Not only is recovery possible, but anything is possible in recovery," Webber said. "It's never too late to change your life, especially for addicts." Want to go?What: #FightForRecovery Warrior Night Fight Series; a series of mixed martial fights will take place to help raise awareness for the area's addiction recovery movementWhere: Bellveue area VFW, 6104 U.S. 20, BellevueWhen: Saturday; doors open at 6 p.m.; event runs from 8-11 p.m.Cost: Tickets range from $25 to $50 with 20 percent of all proceeds going to #FightForRecovery in hopes of raising awareness of the heroin epidemic.Contact: Richie Webber at 419-603-8963 to purchase tickets.Meeting: Similar to an NA meeting, #FightforRecovery group members meet twice a week to share and discuss personal or community problems related to drug abuse:• 9 p.m. Tuesdays at the Clyde Municipal Building, 222 N. Main St., Clyde• 6 p.m. Fridays at Micah's House, 407 May St., FremontRecovering heroin addict Richie Webber, a 2010 Clyde High School graduate, recently started a new nonprofit, #FightForRecovery. He scheduled a series of mixed martial arts Saturday night in Bellevue to help raise money so recovering addicts can stay sober.Richie Webber, a 2010 Clyde High School graduate and mixed martial artist, scheduled a series of fights on Saturday to help fundraise for his new nonprofit, #FightForRecovery. The nonprofit aims to help recovering addicts stay sober.