Che’don fights his way to the top

Twelve-year-old Che’don Grant is battling through the rounds to achieve his ultimate dream of becoming a pro mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter.

Under the expert guidance of father and coach Sensei Kerry Grant – owner and founder of Southern Warriors of Mixed Martial Arts School in Marabella – Che’don is excelling.

Che’don’s father is also the national youth/junior MMA coach and is also assistant senior national coach.

MMA is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world.

However, as a junior, Che’don currently participates in developmental MMA, which prohibits striking to the head and strikes while grappling on the ring floor or canvas.

In October last year, he was the first junior to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the Pan American Beach Wrestling Championships in Barbados, where he won gold. To date, he’s the only junior ever to capture a Pan Am medal in this discipline.

The Pointe-a-Pierre Government Primary School graduate has earned an array of accolades over the years, since he was introduced to the sport as a baby, and captured his first medal (silver) at the age of two.

According to his dad, “He was born into the sport.”

Ten years later, Che’don is committed to his craft and wants to keep getting better.

“I would like to achieve plenty things. Right now my goal is to get better at my sport and go the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) in the future, or maybe more,” Che’don said.

To achieve his goal, Che’don must compete in certified tournaments and climb the ladders of MMA to break into the top flight. It’s a tough road ahead but he's determined and is being fuelled by his equally committed father.

He said MMA has helped him develop as an all-round athlete and has instilled great discipline.

“My favourite part about MMA is that I have self-defence tactics to protect myself, particularly now that I’m going to secondary school.

“What I like about MMA is that you learn different skills to other positives to help you reach further in life. It helps you a lot. MMA has taught me discipline, how to think, do things better and properly.”

Balancing school and his sport has become seamless. He starts his day with some weight training before school. When he returns home, he takes a rest, does his homework and then heads to the gym for an estimated three hours of MMA training.

“It’s a cycle,” he confirmed.

His favourite pro MMA fighters are Nigerian and New Zealander Israel Adesanya and Russian phenom Khabib Nurmagomedov. He loves Adesanya’s striking and Nurmagomedov’s grappling technique.

Che’don has a busy upcoming schedule and returns to the ring in August for the Dragon Cup. This tournament features grapplers and kickboxers from the Caribbean. At the 2022 edition, he won gold in the nine-11 age group and will contest the 12-13 bracket this year.

Also in August, the senior MMA team heads to Colombia for the Pan AM Championships. Deliberations are still ongoing as to whether Pan Am will also host a junior meet at the same time. If it’s confirmed, Che’don will compete there.

And in September, another MMA card is scheduled to kick off, and if so, Che’don will be present, his dad confirmed. He was also supposed to feature at the Ruff and Tuff Mixed Martial Arts Championships recently but his opponent bowed out.

Looking ahead at his schedule, and potential victories, Che’don said, “I have to train a lot harder and put my mind to it.”

The elder Grant said, “A lot of fathers these days are not anchored and committed into the lives of their children, and we are seeing where boy children and being neglected and going astray. This will not happen with my children.

“MMA is a positive avenue for young people. Developmental MMA is not the bloodied faces you see on television. It’s a discipline.”