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Blood & Sand VIII
FFI/Bomber Promotions presents another hit at the MS Gulf Goast Coliseum. Justin Wren (UFC TUF Veteran) finds a win. Jason Floyd of Remix MMA returns to the cage after a 14 month absence. Harris Stephenson makes his professional debut and more.
Local Fighter Makes Pro Debut at Blood and Sand VIII
Harris ‘The Sandman Stephenson’ is making his Professional MMA fighting debut at Fight Force International’s (FFI) Blood and Sand VIII on Saturday July 17th 2010 at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum.
Harris stands 6’2” and is fighting at a catch weight of 165lbs for his debut fight. The 21 yr old Long Beach, MS native has amassed an impressive record of 7-2 over his three year amateur career. Eight of Stephenson’s nine fights have been under the Bomber Promotions/Fight Force International banner. Stephenson trains and coaches at Next Level fight Team, a non-profit gym with a unique mission. Along with the desire to get people in shape and to prepare fighters for their next bout, their focus is to keep kids (with an interest in fitness and MMA) off the streets.
Stephenson’s opponent for this fight is Tony ‘Babalu’ Godbold. Godbold is 5’9”, 22yrs old with an established professional record of 5-5. Godbold trains out of McComb, MS at Outlaw MMA and is known for his ability to send his opponents to sleep with a single punch. With a reputation like Godbold’s, Harris is defying convention with his pro debut. “It’s an unwritten rule that for your first pro fight you should take an ‘easy’ opponent just to get the first one under your belt and work your way up. But for me, that’s obviously not what I’m doing.” Said Harris. “I’ve been asked several times why I am taking such a tough fight for my pro debut and the answer is simple; I’m coming to fight. Doesn’t matter who it is, where they’re from or how much experience they have. I just want to go in there and test myself.” Continued Harris. “In my opinion you can’t get better by fighting guys who aren’t at your level or better.” Godbold is known as a striker and Stephenson is more regarded as a Jiu-Jitsu guy even though the majority of his wins have been the result of KO or TKO. Harris has a chance at winning this pro debut, in fact more than a chance but being on the receiving end of Babalu’s strikes will surely be a trial by fire. Being a fighter that strives to constantly evolve by challenge, this diversity could prove good for Harris.
Stephenson’s background doesn’t exactly paint him as the stereotypical MMA fighter. A graduate of Long Beach High School (Long Beach, MS) in 2007; he walked away with his diploma and the distinction of being an ’Honor Graduate’. Although maintaining a high GPA, Harris was also quite athletic; playing football, soccer, running both track and cross country.
“I’ll be the first to admit (that) I was a nerdy kid growing up.” Added Harris. “And when people I went to school with hear (that) I am fighting, let’s just say they don’t believe it till they see the proof. I’ve pretty much heard it all and most people don’t believe it till they see my jacked-up cauliflower ears.” He finished.
Even with the rigorous training schedule required to be competitive in MMA, Harris Stephenson has remained in college for 2.5yrs with a solid 3.9 GPA.
I wish Harris ‘The Sandman’ Stephenson luck this Saturday with his professional debut. A smart kid with goals that he achieves, Harris should stay on the W side of the records.
