Tulsa MMA Fighter Prepares To Compete In Championship In Tampa, Florida

A Tulsa man is competing in a national MMA championship this week in Tampa, Florida.

Michael Billups will head out of state for the Cage Fury Fighting Championship Bantamweight class on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Billups has been training as a fighter for a decade, with the ultimate goal of making it into the upper levels of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Billups already has several championship wins, including becoming the Bantamweight Champion of the XFN.

Image Provided By: Michael Billups

"When I was a kid, I always knew I wanted to be a fighter," said Billups. "I grew up with the Power Rangers and Bruce Lee. I always wanted to be the best fighter I could possibly be and always had that dream in my head."

Billups hopes a win in Tampa on Friday could lead him to getting signed by UFC. Billups credits his success to his team, who he has trained with for the past decade.

"I credit my success to my head coach Kim Jason Wathen and my teammate Jhim Natividad," said Billups. "Jhim and I met each other at the gym years ago and then next thing I know he became my training partner. We've been friends ever since. Those guys are my family now because it's been almost 10 years that we've been training. They have helped me in my fighting life and my personal life. I know for a fact I wouldn't have gotten here without them. God dropped them into my life."

Image Provided By: Michael Billups

Billups and Natividad will both be fighting in separate matches on Friday night in Tampa. Natividad competes after Billups.

Billups goes by "The Hybrid," which he said is due to his fighting style. Billups said he works to keep his opponents on their toes, never knowing what move he'll use in a fight. Billups hopes his recent success will take him to the UFC.

"The goal for me right now is to keep winning and that should be enough to get me to the next step," said Billups. "This is just one stepping block into the legacy that I'm trying to build right now."

Image Provided By: Michael Billups

While Billups does win money at his championships, it's not enough yet to fully support his career. When he's not fighting, Billups makes extra cash by working as a bartender at Lefty's on Greenwood in downtown Tulsa.

Lefty's will be holding a special watch party for the championship fight on Friday night. The party begins at 8 p.m. and is open to the public. You can also watch the fight by subscribing to UFC Fight Pass.

Billups said having the support of the Tulsa community means a lot to him and keeps him striving to make it to the top of his game.

"I say go big or go home and that's the only way people will remember you," said Billups. "My parents always encouraged me to find my passion and find what makes me happy. I've found what I love to do and now I realize I'm not an average guy and want to continue being the best. That's what it's all about."