For those who are reading this I have included my piece from last year so you can follow the importance of this story and how much this event means to those involved on a personal and business level.

On a personal level Mark and I have a radio relationship, and a personal relationship, and the funny thing about the two of us is how much our lives mirror each other since we first met. He calls his boys "TNA" for Troy and Andrew while I call mine "TNT" for Tyrique and Terrell, we also take our kids to the same doctor's office (in another town) and the same dentist. We are both single dads and work hard to please our boys who are a handful when together. But Mark has a tougher battle as he enters another year with his boys entering another stage of DMD. I'm not going to get into specifics, but I can't believe how Mark handles it all, and not unravel when some would just fold which is why I hope people dig deep this Saturday when Mark steps into the ring.

Chauppette prepares to compete in a mixed martial arts match. Original Date (August 2006)

His name is Mark Chauppette, and 48 hours from now he will be stepping into the ring to compete in a mixed martial arts match (MMA/UFC).

Mark is 37 years old, a father of four and has only one MMA fight under his belt from seven years ago. For the last two months he's been training at four different gyms, re-molding his body, getting his weight down to what it was when he played football and wrestled for Whitman Hanson Regional. 
 

Today he stands before me looking worn and tired, yet he's able to crack a smile an half hour before he's ready to hit the airwaves for his local radio show "On the Mark."

Some of you are probably asking… "Why would a father of four do this?" "What is this guy thinking?" "Is he having a middle age crisis?" "What does he have to prove?" "Is this an ego thing?"
 
Answer… The clock. 
 
The clock is ticking, and when Mark steps out of that ring on Saturday, regardless of the results, he will be hoping that the money he raises for his charity will aid his battle in slowing that clock down.
 
Troy and Andrew are twins. They are Mark's 11-year old boys, and they have been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).  DMD attacks the muscles by stripping away the muscles' protein, which is called "dystrophin." Most who end up affected have a life expectancy of 20 years.  Due to restrictions in this country, Mark has been getting treatments for his boys in Canada, and today they are beating the odds with the ability to walk and attend school. But, everyday the clock ticks, something Mark is very aware of and uses in his fight to keep raising money for a good cause, and this fight would be the most extreme thing he's done for the sake of his boys. 

So how did it happen that a father of four is getting into the MMA ring for charity? 

Well two months ago, Full Force Productions Promoters Mike True Sr. and Mike Varner (also a MMA Fighter) stopped by our show to promote an MMA event. Varner knew of Mark, the match he had seven years ago, and asked Mark if he ever wanted to get back into the ring.

I looked at Mark, and could see the fire in his eye, but it was only a spark; nothing worthy to feed the flames. Then it happened… The idea of Mark doing it for charity got tossed around, and as the talk continued, the flame in Mark’s eyes began to burn because he knew it was another avenue, another weapon in his war to slow the clock and buy some more time for his boys. Once Varner (an established fighter) offered to train Mark personally, the deal was done and the training began.

Some of you may be wondering if it's a hoax or a fix? It's not. One of the stipulations that Varner stated on the radio was that the fight would be legit, a two-round match at four minutes each, and if they end in a draw, the combatants would fight a third round to decide. He's also wanted a legit match to make sure Mark would have a worthy opponent so a loss for Mark would help his opponent's rankings.

So now here we are doing this crazy radio show with Mark getting waxed on air for fight preparation, and the studio is filled with laughter and jokes. But looking at Mark I know he realizes the importance of this event coming up Saturday night, 48 hours from now.

The clock is still ticking.

Event: Untamed 7
Where: Plymouth War Memorial Hall
When: Saturday August 19th, 2006
Time: 6:30 pm

This time for my piece I decided to talk to Mark himself and his trainer once again Caged Fury champion Mike Varner. For those who are thinking they see a typo with the spelling of "Chauppette" from 2006 and "Chauppetta" to 2007; it's not a typo. Last year Mark decided to return his last name to it's original roots by changing the "e" to an "a".

Sinista1: "What have you noticed is different about Mark this time around from the last time with his focus, drive and training?"

Mike Varner: "Mark has the heart of a lion... Physically strong."

Sinista1: How did you prepare differently for this match?  Weeks vs. months, eating habits, and overall training?

Mark: I began training a lot sooner, about three months out as opposed to 5 weeks like last summer. I cut out the heavy weightlifting and began a serious running program with a good friend. He had me doing wind sprints up trails in the Blue Hills to simulate the explosiveness you need in a fight. I also trained at the Boneyard and with Mike Varner privately.  Let's just say with 4 kids, a radio show, and a business I did what I could squeeze in.

Sinista1: Did you feel different mentally and physically?

Mark: I do feel leaner, my wind is better, but I am still an emotional train wreck.

Sinista1:  Will your ring approach (defensive, aggressive or cautionary) be the same as last time?

Mark: Ring approach will be different, but if I you tell you my opponent will have upper hand as I am sure he will read this column.

Sinista1:  Do your boys know you’re fighting this time, and what do they think?

Mark: My boys do know I am fighting, and they know it is to raise money to help them get a HP equipped van. I told them if it goes really well maybe it will come with DVD player (laughs).

Sinista1:  Has anyone said you were crazy for attempting charity this way?

Mark: Yes, I am crazy to do this especially since I'm old enough to be my opponent's dad (laughs). Nothing is too crazy for my boys.

Sinista1: Last year you didn’t really have a choice of entrance music; what are you going to choose this year or are you going to let your boys pick the song since they won’t be there for inspiration?

Mark: As far as music goes I probably will go with AC/DC or (Pink) Floyd as my entrance music. If I let my boys pick I would have to beat box and hip hop my way to the ring and that could be scary (laughs).

Sinista1: Is there a way for those to get involved that may not be able to make it to this event?

Mark: The "Parent Project" is the leader in Duchenne MD research because they only focus on DMD where the MDA has to care for 20 something different neuromuscular diseases. Locally, we have the Jett Foundation based out of Pembroke that raises money to fund specifically chosen scientists that are on the cutting edge of research. For more information on the disease go to www.parentprojectmd.org and for information on donating please contact me directly at otminv@aol.com.

Sinista1: Good luck this Saturday, and I'll see you there.

Mark: Thank you.

EVENT: Untamed 16
WHERE: Plymouth War Memorial Hall
WHEN: Saturday June 16th.
TIME: 6:30pm

"On the Mark" can be heard Fridays 1pm to 3pm NY EST on WXBR 1460 AM in MA. or catch the live stream on www.1460wxbr.com.