Good Sports: Edward Mackey

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- Livingston MMA fighter Edward Mackey was training hard this past May for a local 5K race he was running to pay tribute to his mother, who was in the hospital battling a long illness.

"I felt that I needed to do something memorable for her because of all the things she had done," said Mackey. "I just want to continue showing her that she raised a son to become somebody and to show her that she didn't do all that hard work and sacrifice for nothing."

But then tragedy struck just before Mother's Day. Yolanda Garcia passed away, leaving the 28-year-old Mackey stunned, crushed and emotional.

"I knew that deep down I didn't want to see her go through that," Mackey remembered. "I knew that at this time if God was telling me that she needed to go, then she had to go."

Time would heal Mackey's grief, and he soon found himself rejuvenated -- spiritually and physically. He returned to kickboxing training with his mother on his mind, and in his heart.

"If anything she was just a best friend that I would share anything with, and talk about anything with," said Mackey. "She was like a mentor that I didn't have in my life. She was just very inspirational to me and to a lot of others in my community."

And it's that relationship that has Mackey passionate about sending a message to children everywhere, before it's too late.

"Be grateful for the things that our parents do," stressed Mackey. "We tend to just take advantage of it, and if anything that's something that we don't appreciate. I feel like every little moment we should take that time to say that you love your mom or you love your father."

Mackey knows he wouldn't be where he is today without the unconditional support of family, friends and sponsors. He insists he isn't done making them proud, or of course, his mother.

"In Spanish it's called 'La Senora del Jardin,'" explained Mackey. "She was known for her garden, and I'm going to continue maintaining that garden for her because she was known for that on her street. And I want her to be remembered for that."