Fighting out of the MMA Institute in Richmond Virginia, George Sheppard got his start in MMA thanks to street fighting. At 22 years of age, this tough-nosed thug has turned things around for the better and is now making a name for himself as a professional mixed martial artist and gives credit to his high school wrestling coach, Chris Wyatt, for getting him and his life on track.
“I was a hard core street fighter. I don’t lie or try to hide it. I did what I had to do to survive,” says Sheppard. “I’ve been knifed and pistol whipped. The change to MMA is actually a much easier life and it’s given me a means to provide for my family.”
Sheppard made the move from Brentwood, New York to Newport News, Virginia when he was 14 years old. From the moment he stepped off the bus, fighting became part of his life and near daily routine.
“Getting off the school bus, kids were talking about how wrestling wasn’t as good as boxing and challenged me to a fight. I would have much rather gone home to played video games but he was persistent so I said fine ‘we’ll fight’. I knocked him out with one punch.” Unfortunately this encouraged others to challenge George and the life of street fighting began.
After a promising wrestling career at Denbigh high school was cut short due to being expelled, Sheppard spent a portion of his junior year back in New York with his grandmother. His senior year held much more promise; he enrolled at Menchville High School where coach Chris Wiatt worked with him to restore his wrestling career. With new guidance, Sheppard went on to win a state title at 160 lbs and was ranked 12th in the country. From here he received a wrestling scholarship to Campbellsville University where he was the MVP of the wrestling team as a freshman and All-American, placing 7th in the country. At that time, George decided to pursue his career in MMA making his professional debut in 2009 with a first-round, TKO victory over Nick Blesser.
As a lightweight, Sheppard stands a solid 5’10” and sports a well earned 9-2 MMA record and is riding a three fight win streak heading into his fight at the M-1 Selection 2010 Americas Finals on September 18th. This is likely his toughest test to date as he squares off against American Top Team’s Jose ‘The People’s Champ’ Figueroa, a monstrous 6’3” fighter who’s used to fighting top-tier competition.
“Lights Out” will be looking to stop Figueroa in less than three weeks when the pair collide in Atlantic City, New Jersey when the M-1 Selection 2010 – Americas lightweight champion will be crowned.
The M-1 Selection2010 – Americas Finals take place live on September 18 at Bally’s Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tickets are available through www.TicketMaster.com. Doors open at 7:00 pm, first fight at 7:30 PM/ET.
