Michigan mixed martial artist Cody Stamann has worked vigorously to position himself among the best professional fighters in the world. After earning another dominant victory last Friday, he appears to be closer than ever to earning a shot at a UFC contract.
Featured in the main event of Friday’s “KOP 54” event at the DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Stamann showed yet again why he is considered as one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in Michigan by way of a TKO victory at the 4:59 mark of the first round against Iowa’s Bill Kamery.
“I was very focused and organized with my training for this fight,” said Stamann. “I knew that no matter what happened in the fight I was getting the finish and I did.”
Stamann’s expectation heading into Friday’s tilt were no different than the expectations that he has for every fight. “I feel like I was hitting on all cylinders,” he said. “All the training and work I’ve done over the years has finally made me into the complete fighter I have always wanted to be, both mentally and physically. I no longer have the pre-fight jitters that I once did. I’m 100% confident in my technique and preparation now.”
As any mixed martial artist will tell you, fights aren’t won in the cage. They are won in training and preparation. Like any fighter who makes it to the higher echelons of competition in mixed martial arts, Stamann has taken a serious approach to his training. He also has the unique ability to train with a former UFC fighter in Daron Cruickshank, who is currently competing professionally in Japan. “I consider Daron to be like a big brother,” said Stamann. “He has taught me most of everything he knows about fighting. He’s a huge part of my success.”
Stamann’s work ethic is also something that most consider being second to none. Among those who have gone on record saying this is Matt Frendo, president and matchmaker for KnockOut Promotions.
“He’s got a crazy work ethic, he’s extremely confident in himself and he has a huge support system around him.” said Frendo.
Oddly enough, Stamann never originally planned on getting to this stage of the game in MMA. He recently said in an interview with FOX 17 that his arrival on the mixed martial arts scene was as a result of his background in both wrestling and boxing. “I was doing it to stay competitive,” he said in the interview. “I really enjoyed it. And then I started to kind of lean away from everything else in my life and the only thing I really wanted to do was fight and when the opportunity came up to do an amateur fight in Grand Rapids, I took the opportunity.”
Stamann still regularly competes in the Grand Rapids area as a professional, something that not only benefits him in a business sense, but also benefits the sport of mixed martial arts for the area.
“It means a ton, not only to KOP, but for Michigan MMA as a whole,” expressed Frendo. “Cody receives offers from every promotion in Michigan and the surrounding states. He gets calls weekly with fight offers. He chooses to stay in Michigan and at KOP because of the working relationship that we have developed with him, the loyalty that we have shown him, as well as the loyalty that he shows to KOP, and for the fact that while, yes, he’s focusing on his own career and making it to the UFC to live out his dream, he’s also helping KOP and Michigan MMA as a whole get recognized on a national level. He’s doing a lot for the state and for our organization.”
After his victory on Friday, Stamann’s professional record now stands at 13-1, with his only loss being an extremely controversial split decision loss back in August of 2014. While it’s surely just a matter of time before he gets a phone call from Dana White, Stamann had the following message for White:
“I’m the baddest dude who’s not in the UFC on the planet. I have everything it takes to make a star in this sport, and I’m going to make you a lot of money.”
When could we see him make that jump to the UFC? Frendo’s thoughts on the topic are simple.
“The UFC is supposedly doing a show in Michigan in November/December 2017. That’s when I would expect to see Cody in the big show if it doesn’t happen before then!”
Still would like to see Cody fight Johnny Bedford at WXC ? lol :)