The two will fight as part of the Moosin “Gods of Martial Arts” event — the first MMA event in Massachusetts since the sport was sanctioned by the Commonwealth. It will take place at the DCU Center in Worcester on Friday, May 21.
The event is for charity, benefiting the family of Mark Bisnette, a Worcester police officer. Bisnette was killed in a car accident in January.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to do something for charity and to get my nose dirty,” Byers told the Boston Herald.
The former Bruin will be trained by Lowell native “Irish” Micky Ward, a renowned junior welterweight boxer.
Byers was a second-round pick for the Bruins in 1982 and quickly gained a reputation as an enforcer. The right-winter totaled 1,081 penalty minutes in 10 seasons, making sure other Bruins players like Ray Bourque were free to do damage.
Byers is the last Bruins player to date to score a goal in the Stanley Cup finals. His Bruins fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the 1989-1990 season along with then-coach and current NESN Bruins analyst Mike Milbury.
The main event will pit Mariusz “Dominator” Pudzianowski, a five-time World’s Strongest Man against two-time UFC heavyweight champion Tim “Maine-iac” Sylvia.
