Misha Cirkunov The Making of a Champion

Misha Cirkunov and Brittany Churchill seem like the perfect North American couple. Him being a prized MMA fighter and former wrestling, Judo, and summation wrestling national team member and she a successful international model, there’s no question they paint a striking picture. But every picture tells a story – and this dynamic duo is no different. We were thrilled to sit down with them both to learn a little more about who they are and what makes them tick.

“I’ve been curious about mixed martial arts since I was six years old. I was introduced to BJJ at age 18 . . . and I knew one day I would become a prized fighter.”

You have to wonder what causes a child of just six years old to dream about fighting for a living. What life experiencesor exposure could persuade a kid to define their life’s goal as becoming a prized fighter? Most boys of that age (at least in Canada) are exploring Tee-ball and Pee Wee leagues or recreational soccer, but for Latvian native MishaCirkunov, reality had an altogether different flavor.

“I grew up in a rough neighborhood in Riga, Latvia,” Cirkunov says, “where fighting was a common thing between young men. I’ve always needed to know how to defend myself.”

Riga is the capital city of the Republic of Latvia, a Baltic state of Northern Europe that lies between the west side of Russia and Poland. Hailing from a place where poverty is rampant and unemployment is the rule, where hunger turns people cold and the concept of an “all-you-can-eat buffet” sounds like a sick joke, Misha’s first 13 years left much to be desired.

“Life in Latvia was very different, it was like two different worlds,” he explains.“It is definitely not as comfortable as Canada and people are much friendlier here . . . My father brought our family to Canada for a brighter future and better standard of living, with many more opportunities.”

From that day forward,Cirkunov committed to taking full advantage of his father’s offering of a better life. His family sacrificed a lot to enjoy the opportunities presented by this new country, and Misha wouldn’t let them pass him by.

“Immigration to Canada was extremely tough for the entire family,” he recalls.“When we arrived only my father and older brother spoke any English. Also, I had no friends, which was very depressing; it’s hard to make friends when you can’t speak the language.”

While the language barrier might have posed a problem in the classroom, it carried no weight at all in Cirkunov’sprimary domain, the gym.“I remember the first time I walked into a dojo in Canada and it was the exact same smell as the one back home. In that moment I felt comfortable in my new home country.”

Indeed, Misha has plenty to be happy about. The rules and regulations of the MMA sport arestaticacross countries and continents, and every one of its athletes represents hard work, dedication, discipline, and willpower. But in Canada, Cirkunov says, you’ve got an edge: “The facilities are much nicer and the technique is much more advanced,” he says.“You can become a better and more well-rounded MMA fighter here.” These perks have fueledthe champ’s fiercere solution to win.

Boy Meets Girl

Like all good stories, life would be a little dull without the bright light of love. And Misha wins that round, too. Mutual friends introduced Misha to Brittany Churchill, an international model who is now his wife. And the spontaneous idea turned out better than anyone had imagined. The couple dated for four years before getting engaged on vacation in Miami. Recalling the moment that Misha proposed, Churchill says, “This would be the beginning of so many incredible things for us.” The University of Toronto Environmental Science grad and her MMA man are the perfect fit. 

While Britt doesn’t prioritize mixed martial arts training, she does include some sparring alongside her weekly weight training, cardiovascular, and stretching regimens. Health and wellness are just as important to her as they are to her husband. Each does their own workout at the same gym, with equal dedication. Churchill says, “It’s a big part of our day-to-day success; it’s what makes us better in both our careers and in life.”

The couple is as committed to each other as they are to their respective dreams. That’s what makes them work as well as they do!They are each other’s biggest fans. Brittany says, “We have a lot of respect for each other’s careers . . . but no matter where we are in the world, we know we always have each other to come home to.” “And that,” she says, “Is the best feeling.”

“There is nothing I would love more than to be Canada’s most loved champion fighter, because I love this country.”

HOW HE TRAINS:

On a typical training day, Misha gets up and hits the gymfor some Jiu Jitsu or high-intensity cardio and sparring before teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or MMA classes.Then he heads home for a healthy, sugar-free lunch, and a rest. An evening workout brings strength training, conditioning, hot yoga, or some more MMA. His typical training week is five or six days, with a rest day on Sundays.

Here’s a recap of the feature: