THE “RESERVATION SENSATION” “OX” WHEELER PROUD TO REPRESENT THE NATIVE AMERICAN PEOPLE AT MMA FIGHT PIT: “GENESIS”
Aug 5, 2011 Comments
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Native Americans have a long, lush history in
the fight world. Some of the best fighters ever to have competed in
boxing had Native American blood running through their veins,
including “The Brown Bomber” Joe Louis and Henry Armstrong. Former
world champions like Marvin Camel and Danny Lopez are both of
Native American descent, and rising stars like Matt Godfrey, Shawn
Hawk, and George Tahdooahnippah all represent their heritage
well.
In mixed martial arts (MMA), the story has been a bit different. Outside of Strikeforce® Light Heavyweight Champion Dan Henderson, there haven’t been many fighters with Native American bloodlines experiencing success in the sport.
But Henderson is not the only Native American to build a name in
MMA. Coty “Ox” Wheeler (14-3) is a submission specialist who
competed twice in the WEC®, and is proud to carry the torch of his
people into the cage with him. So proud of his Native American
heritage is “Ox” that he has “Reservation Sensation” tattooed on
his upper chest. In short, he is proud of who he is, and who he
represents.
“I love representing the Native American community, considering we are only two percent of people in this nation,” states “Ox.” “It makes me realize that I’m that one guy that represents all of us. For me to get to the big stage is huge. I never realized how far it came till I turned around and looked.
“I was born and raised in Mescalero, New Mexico. I’m a Mescalero Apache and Lapwai Nez Perce. I hail from Chief Joseph and Geronimo. Pretty much, when their tribes crossed there was ‘Ox.’ When I was younger, I was always told to be proud of who I was. I love to carry that on my shoulders, and I love to make Native Americans proud of who we are. That’s why I do what I do…I was raised to be proud of who I am, and that’s a Native American.”
Wheeler will be fighting in the co-main event of “MMA Fight Pit: Genesis” on August 13th at the Pit in Albuquerque, and will be facing a true fight legend in Jens “Lil” Evil” Pulver (24-15-1). The event will be featured on Pay-Per-View. The battles Pulver has waged in both the ring and the cage with the likes of Joe “Daddy” Stevenson, Din Thomas, John Lewis, Caol Uno, Dennis “Superman” Hallman, Takanori Gomi, Hayato “Mach” Sakurai, Urijah Faber, and B.J. Penn, who he beat for the UFC® lightweight strap, helped put the lightweight class on the map. With 19 combined appearances in the UFC®, WEC®, and PRIDE, “Lil’ Evil” is considered one of the most exciting and popular lightweight fighters of all time. He’s gone through a rough stretch in recent years, but has won two of his last three bouts, and is looking to continue his winning ways at “Genesis” against “Ox.”
“This is really big for me. This isn’t some small local event…it’s an international event,” explains Wheeler. “Once you’re in the middle of ‘The Pit,’ all eyes are on you. To carry the Native American spirit in there with me is huge. I get the chance to go out there and fly my colors and represent Native America as well as New Mexico. This the biggest fight of my life. All the 28 fights I’ve fought before this have led me here.”
“Native Americans really know how to support their own, and I would love to fight in front of a crowd filled with my people!”
The full fight card for MMA Fight Pit: “Genesis” includes:
Main card (PPV)
205 lbs. – Houston Alexander (12-6-0-2) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (11-3)
145 lbs. – Coty Wheeler (14-3) vs. Jens Pulver (24-15-1)
155 lbs. – Junie Browning (4-4) vs. Lenny Lovato (8-1)
185 lbs. – Jamie Yager (3-2) vs. Willie Parks (4-0)
205+ lbs. – Tyler East (9-3) vs. Chris Guillen (13-12)
105 lbs. – Angelica Chavez (4-0) vs. Diana Rael (2-1)
Undercard
145 lbs. – Conrad Padilla (2-0) vs. Guy Youell (1-1)
145 lbs. – Josh Montoya (6-6) vs. Jason Sampson (7-0)
170 lbs. – TBD vs. Sean Spencer (6-0)
185 lbs. – Rocky Ramirez (3-1-1) vs. Mark Lujan (0-0)
About MMA Fight Pit
A fledgling promotion headed by respected Albuquerque-area businessmen Torry Crooks and Nick Montoya, MMA Fight Pit is focused on bringing a new level of MMA to fans in New Mexico. The region is known for producing some of the very best fighters in the world, and as a result, the demand for high-quality fight action is high. MMA Fight Pit will put on its first event at “The Pit,” a world-famous sports venue, when it presents MMA FIGHT PIT: “GENESIS.” The event will feature many UFC® and WEC® veterans, as well as local stars. The lineup includes Houston “The Assassin” Alexander, “Razor” Razak Al-Hassan, Jens “Lil’ Evil” Pulver, Coty “Ox” Wheeler, Junie Browning, Lenny Lovato, Jamie Yager, Angelica Diaz, Diana Rael, and others. This incredible fight event will be available on Pay-Per-View. For more info on MMA Fight Pit, please head to http://www.mmafightpit.com/
In mixed martial arts (MMA), the story has been a bit different. Outside of Strikeforce® Light Heavyweight Champion Dan Henderson, there haven’t been many fighters with Native American bloodlines experiencing success in the sport.
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“I love representing the Native American community, considering we are only two percent of people in this nation,” states “Ox.” “It makes me realize that I’m that one guy that represents all of us. For me to get to the big stage is huge. I never realized how far it came till I turned around and looked.
“I was born on the reservation and I can relate to the people from
the reservation and all Native Americans in general. I appreciate
the support and I love representing and fighting for ALL of Native
America.
“I was born and raised in Mescalero, New Mexico. I’m a Mescalero Apache and Lapwai Nez Perce. I hail from Chief Joseph and Geronimo. Pretty much, when their tribes crossed there was ‘Ox.’ When I was younger, I was always told to be proud of who I was. I love to carry that on my shoulders, and I love to make Native Americans proud of who we are. That’s why I do what I do…I was raised to be proud of who I am, and that’s a Native American.”
Wheeler will be fighting in the co-main event of “MMA Fight Pit: Genesis” on August 13th at the Pit in Albuquerque, and will be facing a true fight legend in Jens “Lil” Evil” Pulver (24-15-1). The event will be featured on Pay-Per-View. The battles Pulver has waged in both the ring and the cage with the likes of Joe “Daddy” Stevenson, Din Thomas, John Lewis, Caol Uno, Dennis “Superman” Hallman, Takanori Gomi, Hayato “Mach” Sakurai, Urijah Faber, and B.J. Penn, who he beat for the UFC® lightweight strap, helped put the lightweight class on the map. With 19 combined appearances in the UFC®, WEC®, and PRIDE, “Lil’ Evil” is considered one of the most exciting and popular lightweight fighters of all time. He’s gone through a rough stretch in recent years, but has won two of his last three bouts, and is looking to continue his winning ways at “Genesis” against “Ox.”
“This is really big for me. This isn’t some small local event…it’s an international event,” explains Wheeler. “Once you’re in the middle of ‘The Pit,’ all eyes are on you. To carry the Native American spirit in there with me is huge. I get the chance to go out there and fly my colors and represent Native America as well as New Mexico. This the biggest fight of my life. All the 28 fights I’ve fought before this have led me here.”
“Native Americans really know how to support their own, and I would love to fight in front of a crowd filled with my people!”
The full fight card for MMA Fight Pit: “Genesis” includes:
Main card (PPV)
205 lbs. – Houston Alexander (12-6-0-2) vs. Razak Al-Hassan (11-3)
145 lbs. – Coty Wheeler (14-3) vs. Jens Pulver (24-15-1)
155 lbs. – Junie Browning (4-4) vs. Lenny Lovato (8-1)
185 lbs. – Jamie Yager (3-2) vs. Willie Parks (4-0)
205+ lbs. – Tyler East (9-3) vs. Chris Guillen (13-12)
105 lbs. – Angelica Chavez (4-0) vs. Diana Rael (2-1)
Undercard
145 lbs. – Conrad Padilla (2-0) vs. Guy Youell (1-1)
145 lbs. – Josh Montoya (6-6) vs. Jason Sampson (7-0)
170 lbs. – TBD vs. Sean Spencer (6-0)
185 lbs. – Rocky Ramirez (3-1-1) vs. Mark Lujan (0-0)
About MMA Fight Pit
A fledgling promotion headed by respected Albuquerque-area businessmen Torry Crooks and Nick Montoya, MMA Fight Pit is focused on bringing a new level of MMA to fans in New Mexico. The region is known for producing some of the very best fighters in the world, and as a result, the demand for high-quality fight action is high. MMA Fight Pit will put on its first event at “The Pit,” a world-famous sports venue, when it presents MMA FIGHT PIT: “GENESIS.” The event will feature many UFC® and WEC® veterans, as well as local stars. The lineup includes Houston “The Assassin” Alexander, “Razor” Razak Al-Hassan, Jens “Lil’ Evil” Pulver, Coty “Ox” Wheeler, Junie Browning, Lenny Lovato, Jamie Yager, Angelica Diaz, Diana Rael, and others. This incredible fight event will be available on Pay-Per-View. For more info on MMA Fight Pit, please head to http://www.mmafightpit.com/
