UFC Fighter with Small Name and Big Heart

James Te-Huna is not a name many Mixed Martial Arts fans will recognize, but his recent actions in the wake of tragedy have not only been selfless and generous, but should ultimately be applauded by the world over.

Te-Huna is not a main event fighter, he's not a big name and recently his fights have been infrequent. Competing recently at UFC 127, but before Saturday his last fight was at UFC 110 more than a year ago. Expectedly, his pay grade reflects that, and yet he has put the livelihood of thousands before his own and donated his UFC 127 fight purse to help the people of New Zealand. Many of whom now have nothing.

On Tuesday, February 22nd a devastating 6.3 earthquake shook the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. Recent reports following the devastating natural disaster have placed a death toll around 150, though that number is expected to climb exponentially. This fatal earthquake is thought to be part of an aftershock sequence triggered by an earthquake in September of 2010. That tremor registered 7.1 on the richter scale, higher than the most recent quake, but did not cause nearly as much damage. The city lay in ruins still and will not be functioning for months according to sources close to the event.

The aftermath of this disaster has been nearly as tragic as the initial event with limited government resources and a lack of financial relief. With deep aftershocks still shaking the region, efforts are underway to bring stability to the New Zealand city. Alongside the loss of life, 100,000 homes are expected to be damaged beyond repair and the rebuild is said by government officials to run into the billions and last up to a year.

Australian fighter James Te-Huna made it clear to the press and the public that he would be donating his fight purse to a relief fund for the victims of the recent natural disaster. At the Post Fight Press Conference, UFC's UK President Marshall Zelaznik stated that the UFC would match the money donated by Te-Huna to aid in the recovery of New Zealand's current turmoil.

Unfortunately for Te-Huna, a win will not be going on his fight record, but as far as his resume as a human being, he should consider this a huge victory. A selfless professional athlete is hard to come by these days and Te-Huna will only gain fans by his actions as a person. It may have been the biggest victory of the night, and certainly the most relevant.