Riley Stevens: A Young MMA Phenom's Journey to Glory
Introducing Riley Stevens, a 14-year-old rising star hailing from Nantyglo in Blaenau Gwent, Wales. Riley embarked on his MMA journey in March 2023, seeking to bolster his self-confidence after enduring bullying at school. His initial motivation was fitness and self-defense, but a spark was ignited within him during his debut on the Fight Series in April 2023. This ignited a passion for competition that would drive him forward.
Despite a challenging start with a short-notice MMA debut against a former Thai boxing champion, Dyllan Irwin, Riley showcased his resilience and determination, coming close to victory with a near-submission in the third round. Undeterred, Riley went on an impressive winning streak throughout 2023, securing victories in all of his subsequent fights, each ending within the distance with stoppages.
in addition Riley's journey in MMA reached new heights when he was chosen to represent Wales at the prestigious 4 Nations MMA Championship. This honour showcases his exceptional skills and dedication.
One of Riley's standout victories was against Alfie Malone from Liverpool, where he traveled to his opponent's hometown and emerged victorious against the odds, displaying his grit and determination.
Ending 2023 on a high note, Riley's string of successes opened doors to significant opportunities, including a British boxing title fight in January and a long-awaited MMA British title fight against the esteemed World Champion CJ Fenton in February, slated to take place in Bradford.
Dreaming of a future in the UFC and competing in renowned arenas worldwide, Riley draws inspiration from MMA icons like Georges St-Pierre and Justin Gaethje. Supported by his parents and guided by his friend and head coach, Wayne Arandjelovic, the owner of Newport MMA, Riley is dedicated to pushing his training to new heights every day, striving relentlessly to achieve his goals.
Riley expresses profound gratitude to Coach Wayne for his unwavering belief in him, not only as a fighter but also as a person. Wayne's mentorship has not only honed Riley's fighting skills but also instilled in him the values of self-respect and discipline, essential for success in and out of the cage.
As Riley looks forward to 2024, he is poised to make a significant impact in the MMA world, aiming to claim championship belts and establish himself as a force to be reckoned with – the year of the reaper, as he aptly puts it, coming for gold.