A Florida mixed martial arts fighter has become a hot topic on social media after allegedly fighting barefoot with an alligator that has caused a stir in the Jacksonville area.
Mike Dragic, who posts wildlife and martial arts content on Instagram as @bluecollar_brawler, didn’t have any equipment with him when he confronted the 8-foot-tall alligator in the middle of the road.
Video of the incident shows a crowd of neighbors watching in awe as Dragic deftly leaps onto the reptile’s back, tightens its jaws and carries it out of the street. It’s reflected.
“He was running towards the police and a bunch of people, and everyone was screaming,” he said. Said Fox 35.
Dragic, a licensed alligator trapper, was playing hockey with his family when the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office notified the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) about a stray alligator and was dispatched to the neighborhood. He said he had gone to watch the game.
“There were five minutes left in the game, so I literally left the game, caught an alligator, and then went back into the game,” Dragic said.
This recent incident has put Dragic in the news, but his alligator handling skills are no stranger to increasing his popularity.
In May 2023, Dragic bravely wrestled an even larger alligator outside a Jacksonville elementary school as onlookers screamed in terror.
When the incident first broke, Dragic used his social media fame to draw attention to the larger cause he supports through his nonprofit organization, Project Savior Outdoors.
“My heart goes out to the veterans who are dealing with PTSD and veteran suicide,” Dragic said. Said Until 2023 on FOX 35.
The project connects struggling veterans with nature, wildlife, and friends to combat mental illness and trauma. The viral video has led to more supporters for Dragic to help his fellow veterans.
“It brought attention to me, and I want to use that opportunity to point everything to Jesus and give our veterans all the help they need,” Dragic said.
