Nelson looks to make mark in MMA

IN AN arena where mixed martial artists (MMA) of Jamaican descent are battling at the elite level, featherweight Damion Nelson says he hopes to boost the profile of local-born fighters with his authentic upbringing.

Nelson, 28, is undefeated so far in his professional career since making his professional debut last July, winning his first two fights, both by split decision.

His journey started in Linstead, St Catherine, where he was born the youngest of eight children.

His mother migrated to the United States when he was eight years old, and he was forced to grow up quickly when his father passed away in his first year of high school at Enid Bennett High (formerly Bog Walk High school).

Nelson said that while he had the support of his older siblings and his mother, from overseas, he learnt to gradually manage on his own, especially in his senior year, which has shaped his fighting discipline.

“I was blessed that my family was able to own their own house. But I would have to pay the light bill, cable bill, go grocery shopping, make sure that the house is clean and make sure that I go to school,” Nelson told The Gleaner.

“It helped me to become a man, it helped me to grow up fast, and (it) just taught me discipline. It plays a big part in my fighting career. It made me extremely disciplined because cutting weight is some task,” he explained.

Nelson would finally join his mother in the USA in 2010m and five years laterm moved to New York where a friend, believing that he had a future in the sport, introduced him to MMA.

INTERESTING EXPERIENCE

“It’s something that I always watched. I used to watch it on TV, and everything, and he is the one that said that ‘you should probably try it out’. I started training in 2015 and it was very interesting when I just started. I would go to the gym five days a week. It was something new. It would take a little time before I got comfortable,” Nelson said.

That growth would lead him to join the Sierra-Long fight team, which features Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, who is born to Jamaican parents and has been in his corner for his fights.

Nelson says that Sterling’s guidance has played a major role in his own work ethic, constantly preaching consistency in his preparation.

“It’s a great feeling. It just shows you that anything is possible. To actually see him put in that work and reaping the benefits of his work just shows you that the sky is the limit,” Nelson said. “(He says) you have to feel uncomfortable. You might feel like you might not want to go (into the gym) one day or a few days or you feel sore, but consistency is what works. You have to keep grinding through and work hard in the gym so the fights are easy.”

Nelson says that while there are fighters at the elite level that have Jamaican heritage, he feels that his upbringing is relatable to local fighters in helping Jamaican talent to cross over.

“I feel like having an authentic Jamaican in the mixed martial arts world means I can contribute more than saying that I’m Jamaican. I can go back home, and I can meet and greet with the people and show them that anything is possible,” Nelson said.

While he is hoping for a couple more fights to close out 2021, Nelson remains patient for his chance to compete in the UFC.

“They want tough guys, so for me to attract them I have to fight the toughest guys I can fight now. That’s what I think they look for. But I’m just taking my time. I am going to get there. I’m just taking my time and working my way up,” Nelson said.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com